Embark on a sonic journey with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Music by the Sea," a captivating compilation of classical masterpieces set against the backdrop of the ocean's timeless allure. Released on July 20, 2025, by Warner Classics, this extraordinary album spans a generous 3 hours and 18 minutes, featuring 85 tracks that seamlessly blend opera, requiem, classical piano, and chamber music.
From the stirring "Peer Gynt" by Grieg to the ethereal "Sea Pictures" by Elgar, this album is a testament to Mozart's enduring influence and the rich tapestry of classical music. Each piece, meticulously curated, evokes the vastness and mystery of the sea, from the tempestuous waves of Vivaldi's "La tempesta di mare" to the serene beauty of Debussy's "En bateau."
Highlights include the enchanting "Moonlight" from Britten's "Peter Grimes," the lively "HMS Pinafore" by Sullivan, and the hauntingly beautiful "The Sea" by Bridge. The album also features lesser-known gems like "The Oceanides" by Sibelius and "La Mer" by Joncières, offering a diverse and immersive listening experience.
"Music by the Sea" is not just an album; it's an exploration of the sea's myriad moods and the human spirit's connection to it. Whether you're a seasoned classical aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, this collection promises to transport you to the shores of musical brilliance. Dive in and let the waves of Mozart's genius wash over you.
Grieg: Peer Gynt, Op. 23, Act 5: No. 21, Prelude. Peer Gynt's HomecomingEdvard Grieg, Paavo Järvi, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra
Chopin: 12 Études, Op. 25: No. 12 in C MinorFrédéric Chopin, Nikolai Lugansky
Vivaldi: Flute Concerto in F Major, Op. 10 No. 1, RV 433 "La tempesta di mare": I. AllegroAntonio Vivaldi, Il Giardino Armonico, Giovanni Antonini
Satie: Sports et divertissements: No. 9, Le bain de merErik Satie, Aldo Ciccolini
Debussy: Petite suite, CD 71, L. 65: I. En bateau (Orch. Büsser)Claude Debussy, Jean-François Paillard, Orchestre de chambre Jean-François Paillard
Britten: Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes, Op. 33a: No. 3, MoonlightBenjamin Britten, André Previn, London Symphony Orchestra
Sullivan: HMS Pinafore, Act 1: "We Sail the Ocean Blue" (Sailors)Arthur Sullivan, Sir Malcolm Sargent, Glyndebourne Festival Chorus, Pro Arte Orchestra
Ives: Set No. 3 for Chamber Orchestra: I. At Sea. Adagio sostenutoCharles Ives, Ensemble Modern, Ingo Metzmacher
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626, Act 3: Song and Chorus. "Come Away" - The Sailors' Dance (Sailor, Chorus)Henry Purcell, William Christie, Jean-Paul Fouchécourt, Les Arts Florissants
Stanford: Songs of the Sea, Op. 91: No. 1, Drake's DrumCharles Villiers Stanford, Norman Del Mar, Benjamin Luxon, Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Elgar: Sea Pictures, Op. 37: No. 4, Where Corals LieEdward Elgar, Sir John Barbirolli, Janet Baker, London Symphony Orchestra
Sibelius: Pelléas et Mélisande Suite, Op. 46: III. At the SeashoreJean Sibelius, Paavo Järvi, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra
Marais: Alcyone, Acte 4: Tempête. "Ciel, ô ciel, quel affreux orage" (Chœur, Morphée)Marin Marais, Marc Minkowski, Gilles Ragon, Les Musiciens du Louvre
Telemann: Ino, TWV 20:41: No. 4, Tanz der TritonenGeorg Philipp Telemann, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Concentus Musicus Wien
Bartók: Mikrokosmos, Sz. 107, Book V: No. 125, BoatingBéla Bartók, Dezsö Ranki
Lutosławski: 5 Songs on Texts of Kazimiera Iłłakowicz: No. 1, The SeaWitold Lutosławski, Halina Lukomska, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
Rameau: Les Indes galantes, Première entrée "Le Turc généreux": "La nuit couvre les cieux" (Émilie, Chœur)Jean-Philippe Rameau, Jean-François Paillard, Ensemble vocal "À cœur joie" de Valence, Gerda Hartman, Orchestre de chambre Jean-François Paillard
Rameau: Les Indes galantes, Première entrée "Le Turc généreux": "Que ces cris agitent mes sens" (Émilie, Chœur)Jean-Philippe Rameau, Jean-François Paillard, Ensemble vocal "À cœur joie" de Valence, Gerda Hartman, Orchestre de chambre Jean-François Paillard
Borodin: The Sea PrincessAlexander Borodin, Boris Christoff, Alexander Tcherepnin
Smetana: On the Seashore, Op. 17Bedřich Smetana, Leif Ove Andsnes
Chausson: Poème de l'amour et de la mer, Op. 19: IV. Le temps des lilasErnest Chausson, Natalie Dessay, Philippe Cassard
Coates: By the Sleepy Lagoon (Instrumental Version)Eric Coates, David Parry, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Bridge: The Sea: I. Seascape. Allegro ben moderatoFrank Bridge, Sir Charles Groves, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
Haydn: Canzonettas, Book II: No. 1, Sailor's Song, Hob. XXVIa:31Joseph Haydn, James Griffet, Bradford Tracey
Rimsky-Korsakov: Sadko, Scene 7: Lullaby of the Sea Princess. "Son po berezhku khodil" (Volkhova)Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Mstislav Rostropovich, Galina Vishnevskaya, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sullivan: The Gondoliers or the King of Barataria, Act 1: "From the Sunny Spanish Shore" (Duke, Duchess, Casilda, Luiz)Arthur Sullivan, Sir Malcolm Sargent, Alexander Young, Edna Graham, Monica Sinclair, Sir Geraint Evans, Pro Arte Orchestra
Britten: On This Island, Op. 11: IV. Nocturne. "Now Through Night's Caressing Grip"Benjamin Britten, Robert Tear, Sir Philip Ledger
Wood: Fantasia on British Sea Songs: V. Jack's the Lad. HornpipeSir Henry Wood, Richard Cooke, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Rands: Canti d'amor: No. 1, Winds of May, That Dance on the SeaBernard Rands, Chanticleer
Grainger: Molly on the ShorePercy Grainger, Daniel Adni
Ireland: A Sea IdyllJohn Ireland, Desmond Wright
Poulenc: Promenades, FP 24: IV. En bateauFrancis Poulenc, Gabriel Tacchino
Nyman: Yellow BeachMichael Nyman, Ahn Trio
Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act 2: Ballade. "Johohoe! Traft ihr das Schiff im Meere an" (Senta, Chor)Richard Wagner, Jessye Norman, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Klaus Tennstedt, London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 1 "A Sea Symphony": III. Scherzo. The WavesRalph Vaughan Williams, Andrew Davis, BBC Symphony Chorus, BBC Symphony Orchestra
Mussorgsky: Pictures from Crimea: No. 2, Near the Southern Shore of the CrimeaModest Mussorgsky, Leif Ove Andsnes
Beethoven: 63 Irish Songs, Pt. 1, WoO 152: No. 13, Musing on the Roaring OceanLudwig van Beethoven, Jean-Pierre Armengaud, Natalie Pérez, Alessandro Fagiuoli, Andrea Musto
Mozart: Idomeneo, K. 366, Act 2: Aria. "Fuor del mar" (Idomeneo)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Werner Hollweg, Mozartorchester des Opernhauses Zürich
Rutter: 8 Christmas Carols, Set II: No. 1, I Saw Three ShipsJohn Rutter, Clare College Singers, Clare College Orchestra
Campion: First Book of Ayres Contayning Divine and Morall Songs: No. 11, Never Weather-Beaten SailThomas Campion, Pro Cantione Antiqua, Christopher Wilson, William Hunt, Ian Partridge
Ravel: Miroirs, M. 43: III. Une barque sur l'océanMaurice Ravel, Bertrand Chamayou
Mendelssohn: Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, Op. 27, MWV P5Felix Mendelssohn, Moshe Atzmon, New Philharmonia Orchestra
D'Indy: Poème des rivages, Op. 77: II. Miramar de Mallorca. La joie du bleu profondVincent d'Indy, Georges Prêtre, Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Alkan: 25 Préludes, Op. 31: No. 8, La chanson de la folle au bord de la merCharles-Valentin Alkan, Ronald Smith
Offenbach: 6 Fables de La Fontaine: No. 1, Le berger et la merJacques Offenbach, Francois Le Roux, Jeff Cohen
Schmitt: La tragédie de Salomé, Op. 50: III. Les enchantements de la merFlorent Schmitt, Pierre Dervaux, Chœur du Théâtre national de l'Opéra de Paris, Orchestre du Théâtre National de l'Opéra de Paris
Sibelius: The Oceanides, Op. 73Jean Sibelius, Paavo Berglund, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
Joncières: La Mer: I. Le calmeVictorin de Joncières, Paul Daniel, Chœur de l'Opéra National de Bordeaux, Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
Weber: Oberon, J. 306, Act 2: Recitative. "Ocean, Thou Mighty Monster" - Ocean Aria. "Oh Transport!" (Rezia)Carl Maria von Weber, Karita Mattila, Colin Davis, Staatskapelle Dresden
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, born in Salzburg in 1756, stands as one of the most celebrated composers in the history of Western music. His prodigious talent was evident from a young age, with Mozart composing his first piece at just five years old and performing publicly by six. Throughout his relatively short life, he composed over 600 works, spanning virtually every genre of his time, including symphonies, operas, concertos, and chamber music. Mozart's compositions are renowned for their melodic beauty, formal elegance, and rich harmonies, earning him a place among the greatest composers of all time. His operas, such as "Le nozze di Figaro" and "Don Giovanni," remain staples of the operatic repertoire, while his symphonies and piano concertos continue to captivate audiences worldwide. Despite his untimely death at the age of 35, Mozart's musical legacy endures, inspiring generations of musicians and composers.
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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
