Back catalogue: Modern Classical

Review: Released to acclaim in 1985, The Falcon and the Snowman recounts the extraordinary true story of Christopher Boyce (Timothy Hutton) and Andrew Daulton Lee (Sean Penn), childhood friends who betrayed their country by selling U.S. satellite secrets to the Soviets in the 70s. The film's score, crafted by jazz virtuoso Pat Metheny alongside pianist Lyle Mays, is a masterful blend of tension and melancholy, enriched by orchestral arrangements from the National Philharmonic Orchestra. The standout track, 'This Is Not America,' features lyrics by David Bowie and became one of his notable hits of the decade, reaching No. 14 in the UK. All in all, an exclusive collector's box set.

Review: This monumental 27-disc box set spans six decades of the composer's career through his evolution as a pioneer of minimalism and one of contemporary music's most influential figures. Released by Nonesuch Records, the collection includes seminal works like Music for 18 Musicians and Different Trains, alongside recent recordings of Traveler's Prayer (2020) and Jacob's Ladder (2023). These pieces reaffirm Reich's enduring relevance in shaping the musical landscape. The set is accompanied by extensive essays from notable collaborators and admirers, including Nico Muhly and Michael Tilson Thomas, offering profound insights into Reich's creative process and his transformative impact. Particularly compelling is Timo Andres' observation of Reich's music as a utopian microcosm, underscoring its harmonious blend of communal effort and structured innovation. Reich's ability to integrate diverse influencesifrom Ghanaian drumming to Hebrew psalmsiremains a defining hallmark. Notably, Music for 18 Musicians continues to stand as a landmark composition, celebrated for its kinetic energy and harmonic brilliance. This collection, the most extensive yet, is a gateway for new audiences to explore his profound reshaping of modern classical music.

Review: The long-awaited CD release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom OST for Nintendo Switch is a monumental event for fans worldwide. With a staggering 344 tracks spread over nine CDs, this soundtrack dwarfs even its predecessor, Breath of the Wild, offering a comprehensive journey through Hyrule's musical landscape. Composed by Manaka Kataoka, Maasa Miyoshi, Masato Ohashi, and Tsukasa Usui, the soundtrack beautifully captures the essence of the game, blending orchestral, electronic and traditional instruments to create a rich cornucopia of melodies. From intense battle themes to serene exploration tunes, each track evokes the spirit of adventure that defines the beloved Zelda series. The limited edition box set is a true treasure for collectors, featuring a special box and a tall-sized digipack housing the CDs. However, the real highlight is the Master Sword-shaped USB player, offering high-resolution and 5.1 channel sound sources for an immersive audio experience. With 15 tracks included on the USB, players can dive even deeper into the game's vast and majestic world. Overall, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom soundtrack is Zelda fans dream, delivering hours of enchanting music that perfectly complements the game's epic adventure.