"Actor: Capella Istropolitana"

• Handel - Water Music/Fireworks Music | DVD | (02/10/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  The timeless splendour of castles in the English countryside together with the luminous nightscape of London provide the perfect background to two of Handel's most popular works the Water Music and the Music for the Royal Fireworks.The opulence of Blenheim Palace Leeds Castle and Castle Howard feature alongside stunning views of the River Thames and London at night with the famous landmarks such as Big Ben Tower Bridge and Westminster Abbey towering high into the night sky.A real treat in every respect and a fascinating way of discovering the inspiration behind these two Baroque masterpieces.

• Grieg: Folk And Dance Melodies / Piano Concerto In A Minor | DVD | (26/02/2001) from £12.94   |  Saving you £-2.95 (-29.50%)   |  RRP £9.99

  The haunting Scandinavian terrain; cascading waterfalls; cliffs towering above fjords below; majestic mountains; the tranquil countryside... these are the sights of inspiration for Norway's greatest and most famed composer Edvard Grieg. This volume of the Naxos Musical Jorney takes us floating over the awe-inspiring Norwegian natural landscape; to the bustling fish-market town of Bergen; through the concert halls and monuments that echo with the history of Grieg's native music; to an

• Vivaldi: The Four Seasons / Concerto In B Minor | DVD | (13/11/2000) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  This instalment of the Naxos Musical Journey series pairs the scenery of various European locations with Vivaldi's evocative Four Seasons. "Spring" in Austria is a time of flitting birds, grazing sheep, and a flower festival. "Summer" in Germany features hayfields and summer storms. "Autumn" in Italy highlights the grape harvest, fog-engulfed valleys, wildlife, and famous paintings depicting the hunt. "Winter" in Switzerland offers breathtaking views of snow-filled trees, meandering streams and horse-drawn sledges at twilight. In addition, Vivaldi's Concerto in D minor is accompanied by the healing waters, candle-lit churches, and hillside vistas of the spa town of Montecatini Terme in Tuscany. Solo violinist Takako Nishizaki gives an adroit performance with the Capella Istropolitana, and the crystal-clear picture and robust Dolby 5.1 or DTS sound options make for an immensely enjoyable musical and visual experience. --Tami Horiuchi

• Elgar: Cello Concerto In E Minor / Serenade For Strings | DVD | (04/11/2002) from £12.98   |  Saving you £-2.99 (-29.90%)   |  RRP £9.99

  The majesty of Scotland is used as a setting for Elgar's music. Conductors are Constantine Krimetz and Adrian Leaper.

• Haydn: Symphony No 103 In E Flat Major / Symphony No 104 In D Major | DVD | (04/02/2002) from £12.98   |  Saving you £-2.99 (-29.90%)   |  RRP £9.99

  This volume of the NAXOS MUSICAL JOURNEY features Joseph Haydn's famed London and Drum Roll symphonies. From the splendor of Buckingham Palace to the majestic Westminister Abbey; from the excitement of Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square to the beauty of the river Thames. Climb the Tower of London and see the glittering Crown Jewels or stroll the grounds of Hyde Park. From world-renowned museums to castle gardens this is a trip as enduring as the music of Haydn. Symphony No. 1

• Bach: Violin Concertos | DVD | (02/10/2000) from £13.48   |  Saving you £-3.49 (-34.90%)   |  RRP £9.99

  With panoramic views of the Mediterranean fountains statues vineyards ancient streets and hillside churches the sumptuous flavour of the Italian countryside echoes through Bach's passionate and rich music. This release features several of Bach's evocative violin concertos together with the ever-popular Air On The G String set against the magnificent landscapes of Tivoli Arezzo Cinque Terre Lake Bolsena Lucca Civita Village and the famous vineyard setting of Chianti.

• Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 In C Major / Piano Sonata In F Minor, Op.2 No. 1 | DVD | (26/02/2001) from £3.05   |  Saving you £8.20 (458.10%)   |  RRP £9.99

  From the lush hidden gardens of a private villa to the stunning vistas and natural splendor of the Tuscan region these are some of the sights that inspired the genius of Ludwig von Beethoven. This volume of the Naxos Musical Journey takes us through the glorious city of Siena with its architectural wonders narrow streets marketplaces and rolling vineyard hills; to the famed city of Pisa and its infamous leaning tower; to the lush resort of Nervi with its rich greenery and flowers

• Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik / Divertimento No 10 / Serenade Notturno | DVD | (02/12/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Eine Kleine Nachtmusik is part of a series of releases which marry great classics with images associated with the music and its composer. Other than the title piece, this programme offers Mozart's suite Lodron Night Music No. 1, K247 and the Serenata Notturna, K239. The musical performances originally appeared on a Naxos audio CD and feature Wolfgang Sobotka conducting the Capella Istropolitana. The music is Mozart's lightest, most charming best, and while the performances are not of the highest order they are perfectly serviceable and delivered with enthusiasm. The accompanying images include the Mozart family house and the Mozart museum in Salzburg. Following these, the viewer is guided through beautiful views of the Austrian landscape in winter, together with scenes of churches and ancient castles such as the Fortress of Hohensalzburg. It all makes for an appealing travelogue, but optional text titles or a commentary track could have helped make clear the relevance of many of the images to Mozart and his music. A companion volume of Mozart's Requiem is also available. On the DVD: Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtmusik offers excellent DTS and slightly less detailed Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, as well as the original CD stereo mix. The picture is standard TV ratio 4:3, and is good with strong colours, but slight shimmering sometimes distracts from the full glory of the vistas. Extras consist of "Travel Notes", which frustratingly cannot be superimposed as on-screen text, but must be accessed separately to the musical selections. Oddly, to access subtitles giving the title of each piece, one must select "subtitles off". Eight trailers are also included. --Gary S Dalkin

• Vivaldi: L'Estro Armonico | DVD | (02/12/2002) from £12.98   |  Saving you £-2.99 (-29.90%)   |  RRP £9.99

  Imagine being on holiday in Venice, making a home movie and then playing it to friends with a favourite CD of Vivaldi as soundtrack. That's pretty much what you get with Vivaldi: L'Estro Armonico, except that the performance of this selection of concertos from the wonderfully ebullient early Vivaldi collection is no great shakes either. It comes from an eastern European orchestra and feels distinctly leaden compared with the best readings around today. And that's it, folks: 56 minutes of video footage of Venice, with the only guidance on what you're seeing coming from the "Travel Notes" menu option that gives background information on some of the locations. Never mind the price of this DVD: it can't be recommended unless you have a relative playing in the band or you want to check out Venice's sights before booking your holiday. On the DVD: Vivaldi: L'Estro Armonico on disc has theatrical trailers for other DVDs. The "Travel Notes" are useful, if superficial, as is the brief biography of Vivaldi. Sound quality is no more than passable, despite the Dolby Digital remastering and the picture quality is disappointingly washed-out. --Harriet Smith

• Mozart: Symphonies 40 And 28 / Overtures | DVD | (02/10/2000) from £10.24   |  Saving you £-0.25 (N/A%)   |  RRP £9.99

  This Naxos Musical Journey combines performances of Mozart's powerful and dramatic Symphonies Nos. 40 and 28 (by Barry Wordsworth and the Capella Istropolitana) with views of an Italian monastery and an Austrian city. To the strains of Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, viewers tour the Neustift Monastery in Southern Tyrol, Italy. Breathtaking views of the outer walls, halls, immensely ornate chapel, and extensive library abound. Missing completely are the bustling, noisy crowds so frequently encountered in real-life travel. Symphony No. 28 ushers in a change of scenery, this time a look at the Austrian Tyrol's capital city, Innsbruck, revealing the spectacular vista of the city landscape as well as an in-depth look at some of its finest architecture. Finally, overtures from Il re pastore, Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail, and La Clemenza di Tito are paired with contemplative views of ducks at a pond's edge and the ornate interiors and exteriors of several Austrian churches. On the DVD: Mozart's Musical Journey on disc comes with a choice of DTS 6-channel Surround Sound, Dolby Digital Surround Sound, and Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0. Additional features include repeat and shuffle play options and previews for other Naxos offerings. --Tami Horiuchi

• Handel: Messiah | DVD | (26/02/2001) from £9.88   |  Saving you £1.37 (15.89%)   |  RRP £9.99

  From the sounds of Christmas carols drifting through the night air to the clang-clang of bells to the bustle of holiday shoppers these are some of the familiar sounds of the holiday season. Some of the world's greatest classical compositions have been inspired by this joyous and spiritual season with none more moving than Handel's extraordinary Messiah. This volume of the Naxos Musical Journey takes you inside Bavaria's famed Benedictine Abbey Church for both an intimate and spectacular view of this holy architectural wonder. Handel's profound music soars through the church on a wave of choral voices echoing across the ages and across the world. This classic holiday favorite is as sacred and enduring as the Benedictine Abbey itself with its religious paintings ornate rococo design altars and three towering organs. This is music for the ages to be enjoyed season after season.

• Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1 To 3 / Siciliano | DVD | (02/04/2002) from £13.48   |  Saving you £-3.49 (-34.90%)   |  RRP £9.99

  The splendor and landscape of Germany evoke the immortal music of Bach as echoed in his famed Brandenburg Concertos... This volume of the NAXOS MUSICAL JOURNEY takes you on a wondrous tour of a Germany many never see. Stroll the opulent Sans Soucci with its palace gardens and Roman baths or experience a summer day in the ancient city of Brandenburg. A visit to the Bach museum brings you closer to this great genius. These are the images that echo through Bach's music; an experience