Minimalist composer Terry Riley premiered his work 'In C' in 1964, a big influence on minimalism in contemporary composition and on subsequent works by composers like Philip Glass, Steve Reich and John Adams. 1967’s 'A Rainbow In Curved Air' and its companion piece 'Poppy Nogood And The Phantom Band' – both mixing repetition, electronics and tape-manipulation – were often performed in marathon, trance-inducing performances, and Riley was regarded a cult musician in avantgarde rock music circles. This 2-CD set presents two radio sessions recorded 1975 in Cologne, newly remastered from the original tapes for optimal sound.

José Cura, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Verónica Villarroel and Yvonne Naef lead the star cast of Verdi's blazingly passionate opera, in Elijah Moshinsky's new Royal Opera House production co-produced with Teatro Real Madrid, with sets by the noted film designer Dante Ferretti and costumes by Anne Tilby.

It's very difficult to listen to this posthumous album, reissued by EMI on CD in 1997 as part of its 100th anniversary series, without shedding a tear or two. Cogan's sense of release on the opening number, "Let Her Go," and her exuberant phrasing in front of an explosive, percussion-driven orchestral accompaniment, displays a glorious, tragic poignancy. Her version of "Trains and Boats and Planes" isn't much less beguiling, her radiant singing bringing an unexpectedly passionate joy to a song that's often tinged with sadness and angst.