Four of Australia’s finest singers together on the stage of the Sydney Opera House, in a soaring program that blends the exuberance of the great stage musicals with the passion of grand opera.From Puccini to Rodgers & Hammerstein, from Bizet to Gershwin and from Verdi to Cole Porter, From Broadway to La Scala is a unique concert experience showcasing many of the greatest songs, arias and duets of the last two centuries.Renowned for their charisma, stagecraft and musical versatility, tenor David Hobson and bass baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes join musical theatre star Lisa McCune and the breathtaking soprano Greta Bradman in seamless blend of classical elegance and theatrical glamour.This deluxe edition also includes a special CD album of highlights from the show, recorded in the studio along with three additional tracks: Bring Him Home, Oh What a Beautiful Morning and Nella fantasia.Featuring favourite tunes from:West Side StoryMy Fair LadyCarmenThe Barber of SevilleThe Sound of MusicSouth PacificThe Phantom of the OperaThe Pearl FishersKiss Me KateCrazy for YouCarouselThe King and IGRETA BRADMAN | DAVID HOBSON | LISA McCUNE | TEDDY TAHU RHODESOpera Australia OrchestraVanessa Scammell Musical DirectorTyran Parke Stage DirectorPhil Bathols and Andrew McKinnon ProducersLive show touring nationally November to December 2017 | frombroadwaytolascala.com.au

Gorgeous tunes and orchestral thrills for the young and young at heart: with a twinkle in her eye, the warm, whimsical and occasionally wicked Miriam Margolyes leads us through an orchestral story-telling extravaganza: matching instruments to their animal counterparts in Prokofiev's timeless classic, Peter and the Wolf; exploring witty vignettes and a dazzling fugue in Benjamin Britten’s The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra; and magical tales of love and fantasy in Borodin’s Polovstian Dances from Prince Igor.Margolyes is joined by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra with Principal Conductor Nicholas Carter in a captivating program filmed live in concert at the 2017 Adelaide Festival – a sell-out performance season that was a crowd-pleaser for young and old. ★★★★☆ “Miriam Margolyes and the ASO are a dream team,their respect and love for orchestral music is infectious.”– Limelight Magazine“Miriam Margolyes was the perfect choice as narrator...She was, as always, utterly captivating.”– Adelaide Now“A fresh and thrilling experience.”– Stage Whispers

triple j’s much-loved Like A Version series returns with its 13th volume – featuring a host of local and international artists covering their favourite tunes, aired on triple j brekky with hosts Ben and Liam.This year’s double album features a collection of 38 tracks including DMA’s covering Cher’s ‘Believe’, Holy Holy’s interpretation of Beyonce’s hit ‘Hold Up’ and awesome cover versions from Amy Shark Flume, Alex Lahey, Polish Club, A.B. Original, HAIM and heaps more!Track Listing:CD 1:1. DMA’S – Believe 2. Northeast Party House – Redbone3. HAIM – That Don’t Impress Me Much4. Holy Holy – Hold Up5. Flume – My Boo {Ft. Vince Staples, Kučka, Ngaiire & Vera Blue}6. The Jezabels – If You Go7. Matt Corby – Chains8. Slumberjack – Paperplanes {Ft. K.Flay}9. Violent Soho – Lazy Eye10. Glass Animals – Crazy11. Vallis Alps – New Slang 12. Horrorshow – No Aphrodisiac13. Camp Cope – Maps14. Paul Dempsey – Edge Of Town15. Milky Chance – Like A Bird16. Maggie Rogers – Say Something Loving17. M-Phazes – Weathered {Ft. Ruel}18. PUP – You Don’t Get Me High Anymore19. Alex Lahey – Torn20. Julia Jacklin – SomedayCD 2:1. A.B. Original – Dumb Things {Ft. Paul Kelly}2. Elk Road – Crave You / The Less I Know The Better {Ft. Lisa Mitchell}3. Amy Shark – Miss You Love4. Kingswood – Say My Name5. Ta-ku – Leave (Get Out) {Ft. Wafia}6. Bishop Briggs – Monday7. Polish Club – Never Be Like You8. sleepmakeswaves – Children 9. Emma Louise – Into My Arms10. Margaret Glaspy – Let Me Love You11. Ásgeir – Love$ick12. Birdz – Sunset Dreaming (Djapana Remix)13. Aurora – Teardrop 14. Big Scary – Come As You Are15. Winston Surfshirt – 21 Questions16. Kasabian – Insane In The Brain17. Middle Kids – Don’t Dream It’s Over18. Tash Sultana – Electric Feel

Since its inception in 1962, The Australian Ballet has had a rich history of capturing its best performances on film. The Heritage Collection compiles some of the greatest of these iconic productions in a deluxe 8 DVD box set – perfect for avid collectors and lovers of ballet alike.The Heritage Collection comprises complete performances from the company during the 1980s and 90s under the artistic leadership of Maina Gielgud, from her very own productions of The Sleeping Beauty and Giselle, to Frederick Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée – featuring current Australian Ballet Artistic Director David McAllister in the principal role of Colas, alongside one of Australia’s most popular ballerinas, Fiona Tonkin.Featuring:Maina Gielgud’s production of THE SLEEPING BEAUTY (1984)Maina Gielgud’s production of GISELLE (1986)Frederick Ashton’s production of LA FILLE MAL GARDÉE (1989)George Ogilvie and Peggy van Praagh’s production of COPPÉLIA (1990)László Seregi’s production of SPARTACUS (1990)Ronald Hynd’s production of THE MERRY WIDOW (1993)Graeme Murphy’s production of NUTCRACKER – THE STORY OF CLARA (1994)Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s production of MANON (1995) 

The Sydney-via-Brisbane gents have clearly been busy since their 2015 release Come Back All Is Forgiven, which fans waited 16 years for. The Common Touch, far from sounding like a hasty sequel, is a highly polished and expansive affair that explores diverse themes, and is replete with adventurous arrangements.Featuring the classic lineup of frontman David McCormack, drummer Glenn Thompson, bass player Paul Medew and guitarist Matthew Strong, the album was recorded in Leichhardt, Botany and Bexley, mixed in Marrickville and mastered in Ventura California.Says McCormack: “I wrote all my songs for the album in November and December 2016 in a small room in Bexley with only one window. The window faced east. There was not much to look at so lyrically I focused on the tiny little things (a photograph in a drawer/“get well” cards) and the massive big things (the universe/existence/death).“Come Back All Is Forgiven was the sound of us playing together in a small room, minimal overdubs. The new album has cello, pedal steel, piano and a variety of backing singers. Some of the tunes were cut up and stitched back together in ways I never thought possible.”When mixing the album, Thompson realised “…it was truly an evolutionary leap for the band, while still somehow managing to sound exactly the same as before.”

The album “COMING YOUR WAY” follows on from McAlister’s successful second solo album Black Sky, and brilliant group collaboration and #1 Country Album hit, Adam Brand & the Outlaws.The album see’s Drew enlist the help of LA/Sydney-based producer, Andy Mak from Grove Studios, to achieve a progressive, modern country sound.The title track, “COMING YOUR WAY” is a rousing anthem that inspires and motivates everyone to look brightly into the future.

Paddy McHugh shoots from the hip, doesn’t pull punches.His song writing is honest and true, tales of life in Australia told by a man who’s grown up in same, as raw and real as the country in which he took his first steps.McHugh comes from the Paul Kelly school of song writing in that simplicity is key and everyday life makes the best stories.“I know there are many reasons why people listen to and enjoy music… but for me, the style of music that I wanted to make, honesty was paramount,” he explains. “It had to be about something that I knew about, or cared about.”These stories are then set to a musical score that both throbs with a visceral power, and gently pulsates with a calmness and tranquillity. From the almost anthemic nature of ‘Down To Sydney’, with its electric build, to the gentle rocking of ‘Rita’, McHugh pulls it all together with a quiet aplomb.Honesty is at its core, everyday life its muse, Paddy McHugh the master of it all.

Combining the charm of the original with a little 21st-century technical magic, the new series also features several new elements and songs to delight the latest generation of Teletubby devotees. “Tiddlytubbies Songtime” introduces Mi-Mi, Daa Daa, Baa, Ping, RuRu, Nin, Duggle Dee and Umby Pumby, the Tiddlytubbies, baby Teletubbies. Take a drive with your friends; the “Tubby Car Song” plays as the Tubbys venture out into TeleTubbyland. “Vroom, vroom! Honk, honk! Sing a song”.

“Every road trip needs a playlist, doesn’t it? Well you’ve got ours in your hand. This is what we came up with for the best music to accompany the hours of driving on the dusty highway.”In September 2017, ABC Classic FM’s Russell Torrance takes the trip of a lifetime, travelling thousands of kilometers across Australia with his wife Lauren and their dog Wolfy. In this new album, he presents the musical accompaniment he’s selected for his journey: his favourite classical music, including introducing us to some rarely heard gems, alongside tracks by Australian composers inspired by the land he crosses (Darwin to Sydney via Alice Springs, Adelaide and country Victoria).Russell has themed his collection around two moods:“‘Windows Up’ is for those moments of contemplation, the road shimmering ahead, the horizon barely visible in the glare, big landscapes everywhere you look. You’ve got some sublime Mozart and Philip Glass for that bit. The opening of the Gorecki Three Pieces in an Olden Style is one of my favourites – languid and meditative, just the thing to give you a clear head for your drive.“‘Windows Down’ – well that’s the opposite. It’s when you want to let it rip, crank the volume and give a music lesson to the crows and flies. Give ‘em some Grieg, Shostakovich and Ravel.”Russell will be broadcasting on ABC Classic FM throughout his trip; for more details visit www.abc.net.au/classic

One of the most loved programs ever produced and broadcast by the ABC, Countdown spanned 13 years from 1974-1987 and provided the soundtrack to an entire generation of Australians. Regarded as one of the world’s all-time great music shows, it influenced a generation of Australians, and kick-start the careers of some of the world’s great musical artists. Returning to its original Countdown timeslot, Classic Countdown will launch on Sunday 17 September at 6pm on ABC TV, airing 13 one-hour episodes over consecutive weeks.Joining the tribute, ABC Music are proud to present Classic Countdown, a massive 4CD collection and digital album featuring the biggest and most influential hits from the iconic original series including classic tracks from ABBA, Skyhooks, Iggy Pop, Hall & Oates, Cyndi Lauper, Cold chisel, John Farnham , and many, many more. Unashamedly nostalgic and playful, Classic Countdown will celebrate the explosion in youth culture and Aussie music that was the driving force of the show’s success.Watch the show on iview now: http://ab.co/Countdowniview Track Listing:CD 1: 1975-791. Countdown – Countdown Theme2. John Paul Young – Yesterday’s Hero3. Abba – Waterloo4. Skyhooks – Horror Movie5. Stevie Wright – Guitar Band6. Hush – C’mon We’re Taking Over7. Marty Rhone – Denim & Lace8. Marcia Hines – From The Inside9. Bay City Rollers – I Only Want To Be With You10. Leo Sayer – You Make Me Feel Like Dancing11. Ted Mulry Gang – Jump In My Car12. Sherbet – Howzat13. Supernaut – I Like It Both Ways14. Jon English – Hollywood Seven15. Little River Band – Help Is On Its Way16. The Ferrets – Don’t Fall In Love17. Graham Parker & The Rumour – Don’t Ask Me Questions18. The Two-Man Band – Up There Cazaly19. Rose Tattoo – Rock ‘n’ Roll Outlaw20. Cheap Trick – Dream PoliceCD 2: 1979-811. Countdown – Countdown Theme2. Cold Chisel – Breakfast At Sweethearts3. The Angels – Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again?4. Iggy Pop – I’m Bored5. Mi-Sex – Computer Games6. The Sports – Don’t Throw Stones7. Australian Crawl – Hoochie Gucci Fiorucci Mama8. The B-52’s – Rock Lobster9. Daryl Hall & John Oates – Kiss On My List10. The Police – Walking On The Moon11. Ramones – Rock ‘N’ Roll High School12. The Scientists – Last Night13. Ian Dury and the Blockheads – Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick14. Adam & The Ants – Antmusic15. Men At Work – Down Under16. Joe Dolce – Shaddap You Face17. Mondo Rock – Cool World18. Simple Minds – Love Song19. The Reels – Quasimodo’s DreamCD 3: 1981-841. Countdown – Countdown Theme2. The Church – The Unguarded Moment3. The Cure – Primary4. Devo – Whip It5. Duran Duran – My Own Way6. Men Without Hats – The Safety Dance7. Goanna – Solid Rock8. The Go-Betweens – Cattle And Cane9. Moving Pictures – What About Me?10. Bonnie Tyler – Total Eclipse Of The Heart11. Haysi Fantayzee – Shiny Shiny12. Kids In The Kitchen – Change In Mood13. Pat Wilson – Bop Girl14. Sharon O’Neill – Maxine15. Bananarama – Robert De Niro’s Waiting16. Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Want To Have Fun17. Elton John – Kiss The Bride18. Eurogliders – Heaven (Must Be There)19. The Saints – ImaginationCD 4: 1985-871. Countdown – Countdown Theme2. a-ha – Take On Me3. Tears For Fears – Everybody Wants To Rule The World4. The Style Council – Walls Come Tumbling Down5. Nik Kershaw – Wide Boy6. The Hooters – And We Danced7. Boom Crash Opera – Hands Up In The Air8. GANGgajang – Sounds Of Then (This Is Australia)9. Hunters & Collectors – Say Goodbye10. John Farnham – You’re The Voice11. Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – We Love You12. Wa Wa Nee – Sugar Free13. Painters and Dockers – Nude School14. Pseudo Echo – A Beat For You15. Rockmelons – Rhymes16. Redgum – Roll It On Robbie17. Swing Out Sister – Breakout18. The Chantoozies – Witch Queen19. The Cockroaches – She’s The One20. Noiseworks – Take Me Back

‘Lux Aeterna’ – ‘eternal light’ – the struggle of light and darkness: an ancient concept, inspiring music-making for centuries.The new album from Australian composer Paul Stanhope brings this search for light into the present day, setting texts from across cultures and ages: Arabic poetry, Old Testament verses, liturgical chants, and present-day words from Australia and South America. By turns elegiac and urgent, serene and rapturous, Lux Aeterna lives out themes of optimism, humanity and empathy.Stanhope’s music is recorded here with the choir he has collaborated with over the past decade, Sydney Chamber Choir, resulting in a uniquely satisfying depth of understanding of Stanhope’s musical language and the text which he sets.About Paul StanhopePaul Stanhope is an award-winning Sydney-based composer, former Musical Director of Sydney Chamber Choir and currently a Senior Lecturer in Composition at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney. Previous releases on the ABC Classics label include Songs for the Shadowland – an album of song cycles for combinations of voices and instruments. About Sydney Chamber ChoirFormed in 1975, Sydney Chamber Choir, under founding director Nicholas Routley, quickly established itself among Australia’s finest performers of Renaissance choral music, especially the works of Josquin des Prez. The Choir was also a pioneer in revitalising performances of Baroque masterpieces by Bach and Handel. At the same time, it began a program of commissioning new music from Australian composers – a tradition which flourished under the leadership of the Choir’s second Musical Director, Paul Stanhope, and continues to the present day, with 20 world premieres in the past ten years.TRACKLISTINGPAUL STANHOPE (1969–)1. Fiant Luminaria2. Agnus Dei / Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep3. Lux Aeterna4. Ubi Caritas5. Lament to Saint Cecilia6. The Land Is Healed. Ban.garay!Exile Lamentations – Three Choruses7. Eykhah8. Deserts of Exile9. Lament10. Cherubic HymnSydney Chamber ChoirPaul Stanhope conductor 

Absorbing simplicity, transcendent serenity, deep spirituality. Into Silence, the new album from pianist Tamara-Anna Cislowska, immerses us in the sound world of an extraordinary generation of composers from the Baltics: Henryk Górecki (born Poland, 1933), Arvo Pärt (Estonia, 1935), Pēteris Vasks (Latvia, 1946) and Georgs Pelēcis (Latvia, 1947).As Europe emerged from the horrors of World War II, Górecki and Pärt were children, while Vasks and Pelēcis were soon to be born. All four grew up in Soviet-dominated Eastern Europe, and their music looks back to the trials of the preceding years and speaks with hope of the future, all the while responding to the frost-shrouded landscapes in which it came to life. These composers grappled with cultures in which music was simultaneously highly prized, but bound by strict social and political constraints. From the rare genius of these four men, this set of conditions produced music of astonishing and distinctive beauty, characterised by profound simplicity and a true valuing of the silent.The album interweaves the intimacy of solo piano with concertos and orchestral works, recorded with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra under Johannes Fritzsch – himself brought up behind the Iron Curtain.The music of Georgs Pelēcis is an undiscovered gem, barely recorded and almost never heard in the concert hall. His All in the Past, an elegy for violin and orchestra, beguilingly mixes the influence of tango with the styling of the baroque; but it’s his sublime Concertino bianco (literally ‘Little White Concerto’) for piano and orchestra, which opens the album, that is set to take its rightful place as a gem of 20th-century music in this stunning new recording from Cislowska.Inspired by Gregorian Chant and Orthodox Christianity, the music of Arvo Pärt reaches towards the ancient at the same time as forging new paths in serenity. The use of simple rhythm and stepwise melody that he called ‘tintinnabuli’ (Latin for ‘bell ringing’) produced the exquisite Spiegel im Spiegel, and its almost addictive repetitions are shared by his other solo piano works on this album, Pari intervallo and Für Alina.The landscape of his Latvian homeland underlies Pēteris Vasks’ music, finding comfort he was never afforded as the son of a clergyman in a strictly secular regime. In his music for solo piano, the simple gestures of White Scenery evoke the calm of a snowbound landscape, while in Music for a Summer Evening – written in 2009 – we feel the serenity of dusk. In Cantabile, for string orchestra, we move from the contemplative to ecstatic climaxes.Henryk Górecki became a household name in the 1980s after the phenomenal success of his Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, which made him the highest-selling classical composer of modern times. His Three Pieces in Olden Style shares the luminosity of that chart-topping work, while his Piano Concerto finds a more urgent sense of movement, echoing the rhythmic impulse of baroque dances.Tamara-Anna Cislowska’s recordings have won, amongst others, the 2015 ARIA Award for Best Classical Album and Gramophone Magazine Editor’s Choice. She recently toured as a soloist with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.