Young Australian pianist Jayson Gillham presents his third album on ABC Classics, featuring the music of two Russian friends and piano virtuosi: Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.2 – one of the most eternally popular pieces of classical music – and the rarely performed Piano Concerto No.1 by Nikolai Medtner, written just 15 years later. For these recordings, Gillham is joined in the studio by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and their Associate Conductor Benjamin Northey. Nikolai Medtner (1880–1951) was a close friend of Rachmaninoff (they even dedicated various pieces to one another) but history has treated their music very differently. The great Australian pianist Geoffrey Tozer, who died in 2009, was a rare champion of Medtner’s music, and it was when Gillham was invited to feature in a documentary on Tozer’s life that he discovered Medtner’s work. Dedicated to his mother, Medtner’s Piano Concerto No.1 was written during the First World War. The intense drama of the music – brought out in vivid technicolour in these recordings – is irresistible, but so too is the consolatory power of music. We discover the healing balm of music again in Angel, Medtner’s work for solo piano: a meditation, as Gillham puts it, on “the rediscovery of a divine song, half-remembered, half-forgotten, of a beauty that cannot be matched on earth”. Gillham first performed Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No.2 with the MSO in Melbourne’s outdoor Sidney Myer Music Bowl: that concert was greeted with rapture by both the critics and a cheering audience of thousands. Renewing their association in the studio just weeks later, Gillham and the Orchestra unveil fresh richness in this beloved music. The concerto is paired with the contemporaneous Prelude Op.23 No.4, which shares the same “blissful contentment”.NIKOLAI MEDTNER 1880–1951Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor, Op. 331. Allegro –2. Tranquillo, meditamente –3. Coda (Allegro molto)4. Eight Stimmungsbilder (Mood Pictures), Op. 1: No. 1 Prologue ‘The Angel’SERGEI RACHMANINOFF 1873–1943Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 185. I. Moderato6. II. Adagio sostenuto7. III. Allegro scherzando8. Prelude in D major, Op. 23 No. 4 Jayson Gillham pianoMelbourne Symphony OrchestraBenjamin Northey conductorRecorded in the Iwaki Auditorium of the ABC’s Southbank Centre, 10-13 April 2017

A celebration of music, culture, and identity, from the hearts and mouths of a new generation of Indigenous Australia.The call; “What song has spoken strongest to you about growing up an Indigenous Australian?” The response; A collection of 12 songs from this country’s deadliest and most inspiring young musicians, taking us on a sonic journey through the foundations of their musical inspiration, and the songs that have helped shape their Indigenous identity and culture.   From Adelaide to East Arnhem Land, from Brisbane to Regional NSW, DEADLY HEARTS showcases Australian music at its absolute finest. Each artist brings their own flavour whilst paying homage to, and retaining the soul of these 12 songs that hold a special place in their hearts.Jimblah paints a synth-laden, new-age picture of his ‘Island Home’ taking on the Warumpi Band classic; Robbie Miller provides some magical, goosebump-inducing moments with ‘Solid Rock’, Emily Wurramara delivers a breathy, jazz-inspired rendition of Coloured Stone’s ‘Black Boy’, Benny Walker shares his musical inspirations by paying tribute to a timeless masterpiece, and Birdz throws his hip-hop touch at Yothu Yindi’s ‘Sunset Dreaming (Djapana)’.The modern sound of Indigenous Australia. The next generation of Indigenous storytellers, genre-hopping across these songs of importance. 

Hit Country 2017 is here!  This premier country compilation series is released in 2CD format this year, and features some of the biggest hits from Australia and around the world. Including international chart toppers Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton; PLUS all the biggest names and rising stars in Australian country: Travis Collins, Caitlyn Shadbolt, Adam Harvey & Beccy Cole, Adam Brand, The Wolfe Brothers, Sunny Cowgirls and many more!Track Listing:CD 1:1. The Wolfe Brothers – Thow Em Back2. Tim Hicks – Stompin’ Ground3. Miranda Lambert – We Should Be Friends4. David Nail – Night’s On Fire5. Kelsea Ballerini – Yeah Boy6. Caitlyn Shadbolt – My Breakup Anthem7. Drake White – It Feels Good8. The Band Perry – The Comeback Kid9. Carrie Underwood – Church Bells10. Travis Collins – Hometown Calling11. Gord Bamford – Don’t Let Her Be Gone12. Tyler Farr – Our Town13. Missy Lancaster – Back Row14. Jana Kramer – I Got The Boy15. Cole Swindell – Middle of a Memory16. The Viper Creek Band – Rockstars17. Bobby Wills – Get While The Gettin’s Good18. Dylan Scott – My Girl19. Jon Pardi – Dirt on My Boots20. The Shires – All Over AgainCD 2:1. Adam Brand – Drunk2. Christie Lamb – Bad Habit3. Jasmine Rae – Everybody Wants To Take My Money4. Blake Shelton – A Guy With A Girl5. Jody Direen – Dirt Rich6. Jess Moskaluke – Drive Me Away7. Brett Eldredge – Wanna Be That Song8. Chris Stapleton – Fire Away9. Ward Thomas – Cartwheels10. Michael Ray – Think A Little Less11. Dan + Shay – How Not To12. Baylou – Rattlin’ Chains13. Kaylen’s Rain – Lost In The Moonshine14. William Michael Morgan – I Met a Girl15. Ryan Kinder – Tonight16. Wyonna feat. Jason Isbell – Things That I Lean On17. Adam Harvey & Beccy Cole – Anyone Who Isn’t Me Tonight18. Seth Ennis – Woke Up In Nashville19. The Brothers Osborne – It Ain’t My Fault20. Sunny Cowgirls – Dam Fun 

Two of Australia’s finest storytellers, actor John Bell and pianist Simon Tedeschi, break new ground with this new recording of the great melodrama Enoch Arden – a deeply moving tale of love, loss, redemption and shipwreck, told through spoken word and solo piano.Enoch Arden depicts, in Tedeschi’s own words, "extremities of emotional pathos in which an everyman is thrust into a maelstrom of betrayal, longing, regret and often, madness.” It is the story of three childhood friends, Enoch Arden, Philip Ray and Annie Lee. Enoch and Annie marry and start a family, but after Enoch is shipwrecked on an island for ten years, Annie agrees to marry Philip – believing Enoch to be dead. When Enoch returns, he learns of Annie and Philip’s relationship, and of their child together, and chooses to live in seclusion, heartbroken for his own fate but blissful in their happiness.The poem Enoch Arden was published in 1864 while Alfred, Lord Tennyson was Queen Victoria’s Poet Laureate; Strauss wrote a piano score to accompany its recitation in 1897. Its most famous recording was a limited-edition release by Glenn Gould with Claude Rains in 1962. This new recording presents a rare insight into the pathos of Enoch Arden’s story, an exploration of humanity just as relevant in 2017 as when it was first written.This album and subsequent national tour marks Tedeschi and Bell's first collaboration. "I wanted to do Enoch,” says John Bell, “because I love working with musicians; I love being up close and watching their technique and feeling the visceral presence of the instruments. I've admired Simon for a long time; he's a bit of an entertainer and showman as well as being a great pianist."On this album, Enoch Arden is paired with the stunningly evocative Songs of Dawn (Gesänge der Frühe) for solo piano by Robert Schumann. Written in 1853, towards the end of the composer’s tragic life, the five songs are, Tedeschi notes, "devotional one minute, white-hot the next, and then heartbreakingly lyrical, ending with a hymn-like movement that, to me, is as palpable a winding-down of the human spirit as Beethoven’s last Piano Sonata."

Elise McCann – the delightful, award-winning Miss Honey from the smash-hit musical Matilda – brings alive her life-long love of the stories of Roald Dahl with an entrancing new album: Dahlesque.One of the world’s most popular authors, Roald Dahl has captured the imagination of millions of children and adults with his tales of fun and fear. Dahl’s characters speak immediately to generations, and the blockbuster films and musicals that they have inspired have become instant hits.In this irreverent and gloriumptious offering, Elise McCann draws on these beloved adaptations to present the fantastical imagination and wickedly unforgettable characters of this master of storytelling. There are songs by Tim Minchin from Matilda (Naughty, The Smell of Rebellion and My House); hits from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory from Leslie Bricusse’s Academy-Award-nominated score; and songs from Marc Shaiman’s 2013 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which ran for an astonishing 1293 days in the West End.All of these songs are brought to life by the Helpmann-winning actress and vocalist Elise McCann, accompanied by a nine-piece band. The physical edition contains two bonus tracks, Little Red Riding Hood & The Wolf and Three Little Pigs from Revolting Rhymes, set to music by acclaimed Musical Director and composer Stephen Amos.

Australia’s favourite classical music phenomenon returns, as the Classic 100 celebrates the music of love - the greatest of all human experiences, from the passion of first love to the heartbreak of love lost.From the drama of the opera and the grace of the ballet, to the longing of a love song and the orchestral soundtracks from our favourite romantic movies, love stories are among music’s most enduring inspirations. The Classic 100: Love is Australia’s reflection on memories, dreams and favourite love stories.This exclusive Deluxe Edition contains the complete top 100 tracks (over 10 hours of music on 8CDs), plus a book of 40 favourite, timeless love poems by Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Whitman, Byron, Emily Dickinson and many more.Listen live to the countdown on ABC Classic FM over the weekend of 10-11 June.

ABC KIDS is the renowned home of trusted, quality entertainment for Australian Preschoolers. Parents and children alike have grown up with this much loved, iconic Australian brand.So following on from the popularity of previous volumes, The Best of ABC KIDS Vol. 5 features 29 tracks from all your favouriteABC Kids Music artists including The Wiggles, Justine Clarke, Sesame Street, Giggle and Hoot, Play School, Bananas In Pyjamas and many more!

Australia’s favourite twins, B1 and B2, are turning 25 this year!2017 marks 25 years since the Bananas in Pyjamas series first aired, and in that time it has grown into a phenomenal worldwide success, going on to become one of the nation’s most respected, trusted and longest-running children’s series. To celebrate this milestone, ABC KIDS bring you a must-have music collection featuring those catchy songs that generations of Australian children have been singing and dancing to in their lounge rooms.Spanning two CDs, Bananas In Pyjamas – 50 Best Songs includes favourites such as the iconic theme song ‘Bananas In Pyjamas’; ‘The Mucklebird’, ‘Banana Detectives’; ‘Teddy Bear Twist’ and many more. Also included are much-loved nursery rhymes such as ‘It’s Raining, It’s Pouring’, and ‘Ring-A-Ring A Rosie’. And of course, no bananas collection would be complete without appearances from The Teddies and The Rat In The Hat!It’s the perfect soundtrack for a banana-tastic party!

Celebrating 90’s month across Double J and triple j in June. We’ve handpicked a giant 4 CD collection and download that showcases and celebrates the 90s.To say it was all about the fuzzy guitars and fiery screams of grunge is to discount the slinky synths of West Coast hip hop and the thumping, anthemic big beats of the decade’s best dance music. The beauty of 90s music was both its diversity and the way artists took the styles of previous decades, refined them, then added a sonic dimension and attitude that matched both the optimism and, at times, despair of the decade.Was the 90s really just one decade? When you look at the 80 or so songs we’ve collected here, you realise it’s just a snapshot of what was an explosive, diverse, and prolific era for music.Track Listing:CD 1:1. The Chemical Brothers – Hey Boy Hey Girl2. Sonic Youth – Kool Thing3. Spiderbait – Buy Me A Pony4. Cypress Hill – Insane In The Brain5. Itch-E & Scratch-E – Sweetness And Light6. Blind Melon – No Rain7. Tori Amos – Cornflake Girl8. Regurgitator – ! (The Song Formerly Known As)9. Supergrass – Pumping On Your Stereo10. blink-182 – Dammit11. Coolio – Gangsta’s Paradise (feat. L.V.)12. The Clouds – Hieronymus13. Jane’s Addiction – Been Caught Stealing14. White Town – Your Woman15. Crowded House – Distant Sun16. Cornershop – Brimful of Asha (Norman Cook Remix)17. Hole – Celebrity Skin18. You Am I – Berlin Chair19. Silverchair – Ana’s Song (Open Fire)20. The Dandy Warhols – Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth21. Died Pretty – D.C. 22. Killing Heidi – WeirCD 2:1. Radiohead – Paranoid Android2. Garbage – Only Happy When It Rains3. Yothu Yindi – Treaty (Filthy Lucre Radio Mix)4. Weezer – El Scorcho 5. Jeff Buckley – Last Goodbye6. Gerling – Enter Spacecapsule (Radio Disko Remix)7. Deee-Lite – Groove Is in the Heart8. James – Laid9. Dinosaur Jr. – Start Choppin’10. Falling Joys – Lock It11. Arrested Development – Mr Wendal12. Pulp – Common People13. Jebediah – Leaving Home14. Everclear – Heroin Girl15. Severed Heads – Dead Eyes Opened 9416. Salt N Pepa – Shoop17. Ammonia – DRUGS18. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds + Kylie Minogue – Where the Wild Roses Grow19. Korn – Got The Life20. Frenzal Rhomb – Never Had So Much FunCD 3:1. Powderfinger – These Days2. The Cranberries – Zombie3. RUN-DMC vs. Jason Nevins – It’s Like That4. Marilyn Manson – The Beautiful People 5. Ratcat – That Ain’t Bad6. Pennywise – Society7. Neneh Cherry – Woman8. Marcy Playground – Sex & Candy9. Custard – Girls Like That (Don’t Go For Guys Like Us)10. Screaming Trees – Nearly Lost You11. Josh Abrahams & Amiel Daemion – Addicted To Bass12. Everlast – What It’s Like13. Ween – Mutilated Lips14. Frente! – Labour of Love 15. Nada Surf – Popular16. Pollyanna – Lemonsuck17. Fugees – Killing Me Softly With His Song18. Bloodhound Gang – Why’s Everybody Always Pickin’ On Me? 19. Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun20. Hunters & Collectors – Holy GrailCD 4:1. The Prodigy – Breathe2. The Living End – Prisoner Of Society3. The Cardigans – My Favourite Game4. Stone Temple Pilots – Plush5. Primitive Radio Gods – Standing Outside A Broken Phone Booth With Money In My Hand6. The Whitlams – No Aphrodisiac7. Tricky – Black Steel8. Slipknot – Wait And Bleed9. Grinspoon – Just Ace10. Billy Bragg – Sexuality11. Moloko – Sing It Back (Boris Musical Mix)12. Butthole Surfers – Pepper13. Buffalo Tom – Taillights Fade14. The Superjesus – Down Again15. Fatboy Slim – Praise You16. TISM – (He’ll Never Be An) Ol’ Man River17. The Fauves – Dogs Are The Best People18. Mazzy Star – Fade Into You19. The Lemonheads – The Outdoor Type20. Underground Lovers – Losin’ It

Jazz great James Morrison returns with an essential new album: timeless hits from The Great American Songbook, recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London with the BBC Concert Orchestra and conductor Keith Lockhart. Performing on a range of instruments (including trumpet, flugelhorn, trombone, tenor sax and piano), Morrison brings his trademark virtuosity and flair to classics by Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Jerome Kern and more. These tunes were originally made famous by many of the great singers of all time; for this album, Morrison especially commissioned arrangements that bring alive the melodies, styles and meanings that have made these songs so immortal and beloved. These jazz ‘standards’ are close to Morrison’s heart: “I proposed to my wife by walking into the bathroom playing My Funny Valentine, Every Time We Say Goodbye was played at the funeral of a dear friend, Summertime was the first time I worked with a singer, A Foggy Day was the first song I performed in public on the piano (aged 10), and of course Duke Ellington answered the unanswerable question ‘what is jazz’? (It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing).” James Morrison is regarded as one of the finest musicians of his generation, with a distinguished career featuring collaborations with the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Dizzy Gillespie and Ray Charles, invitations to perform at the world’s great venues and for multiple US presidents and Queen Elizabeth II, and pioneering education work. His collaboration with the BBC Concert Orchestra continues with a performance at the BBC Proms in August 2017.

From the opulence of opera to the intimacy of solo piano: four centuries of luscious, languorous music that will seduce and delight. Music by Delibes, Cilea, Rachmaninoff, Puccini, Bizet, Monteverdi, Rodrigo and more.Art by Lord Frederic Leighton, Charles Landelle and Rupert Bunny.Timeless art and great music: ABC Classics and the Art Gallery of New South Wales present a new collection of albums bringing together culture from through the ages. From nineteenth-century visions of grandeur in Epic Classics to the sacred tradition in Divine Classics, and from Australia’s own artistic heritage to the world of the Modernists, these albums provide rich insights by bringing art and music together. Previous collaborations between ABC and AGNSW include music audio-guides for the blockbuster exhibitions The Greats, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and Nude: art from the Tate collection with the acclaimed Nude Live performances in collaboration with the Sydney Dance Company and the Sydney Festival. 

Music can lift the mind to the heavens, and create an image of the divine here on earth. This collection surveys a millennium of music written for the Christian church, from the medieval nun Hildegard of Bingen to the modern-day mystic John Tavener, via baroque masterworks. Music by Handel, Bach, Allegri, Tallis, Mozart, Vivaldi and others.Art by Sano di Pietro, Domenico Beccafumi and Andrea Andreani.Timeless art and great music: ABC Classics and the Art Gallery of New South Wales present a new collection of albums bringing together culture from through the ages. From nineteenth-century visions of grandeur in Epic Classics to the sacred tradition in Divine Classics, and from Australia’s own artistic heritage to the world of the Modernists, these albums provide rich insights by bringing art and music together. Previous collaborations between ABC and AGNSW include music audio-guides for the blockbuster exhibitions The Greats, Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, and Nude: art from the Tate collection with the acclaimed Nude Live performances in collaboration with the Sydney Dance Company and the Sydney Festival.