Recreation

New Titles February 2011 (arrived in January) Audio and Video

CDs

Choral

Santo : sacred songs. Juan Diego Florez
Bel canto tenor and top opera performer Florez does terrific work in one of the better Christmas based CDs around.

CHRISTMAS

Glee : the music : the Christmas album.
12 renditions of holiday classics, sung by the cast of 'Glee' -- including "We Need A Little Christmas", "Merry Christmas Darling", "Most Wonderful Day Of The Year", "Last Christmas", "Jingle Bells", "O Holy Night".

Classical

Los impossibles L'Arpeggiata ; Christina Pluhar.
Reissue of the best-selling Los Impossibles: Spanish and Mexican Baroque music never sounded so fresh, so vital or so moving as on this astonishing release, now with new arwork and packaging and four bonus tracks, including a sultry Baroque-jazz fusion of the jazz standard Caravan! Here are songs of love, celebration and mourning that reverberate through the centuries.
Lotti, Zelenka, Bach. Thomas Hengelbrock, conductor.
Gramophone Awards 2010 Winner - Baroque Vocal.
Voices : chant from Avignon. Benedictine Nuns of Note-Dame
The Nuns of the Abbaye de Notre-Dame de l'Annonciation, from a remote region of France near Avignon,won a worldwide search to find the world's finest female singers of Gregorian Chant. The search took in over70 convents, including communities as far afield as North America and Africa.
Concertos for flute, clarinet, oboe, viola and 2 concerto movements Eric Biddington.
More imprssive work by the talented Christchurch composer.
Violin concerto ; The kingdom prelude ; Prelude and Angel's farewell Elgar.
Gramophone Awards 2010 Award Winner - Concerto. Violinist Thomas Zehetmair " blows the others out of the water..Zehetmair's reading is one of greater intimacy, whilst its intensity holds you in an iron grip from first note to last...In the slow movement Zehetmair and Elder are quietly moving, with the kind of unhistrionic approach that allows the music's latent beauty to flower." So said Gramophone's critic.
The Italian tenor. Vittorio grigolo
"Handsome, prolific and blessed with uncommon interpretive skills, Vittorio Grigolo is the most exciting young male talent in opera today...It's a marvellous collection, with Grigolo's dramatic abilities abundantly evident in the fruity relish with which he rolls each syllable round his mouth." The Independent, 30th September 2010
Verismo arias. Jonas Kaufmann
"Italian repertoire now, is it? Given the prodigious gifts of the German tenor Jonas Kaufmann we shouldn't be too surprised. But there's still considerable novelty as that darkly lustrous voice plunges headlong into anguish...Fluent in Italian, Kaufmann is equally at ease navigating the arias' vocal and emotional tempests." The Times, 8th October 2010
Lettere amorose. Magdalena Kozena
Magdalena Kožená explores the early Italian Baroque music of Monteverdi and his contemporaries with rewarding results. Inspired by the improvisational nature of much of this music, Magdalena Kožená reveals yet another aspect of her musical personality
Best of Lang Lang. Lang Lang
The Chicago Tribune called the 28 year old piano virtuoso "the greates, most exciting piano talent in years."
Violin concerto ; Octet Mendelssohn.
Mendelssohn's E minor violin concerto is one of the composer's greatest works, and one of the most popular violin concertos in the repertoire.Making his first recording of the work, violinist James Ehnes is partnered by Vladimir Ashkenazy and the Philharmonia, recorded live.
Volodos in Vienna. Arkadi Volodos
Gramophone Awards Winner 2010 - Instrumental. Russian pianist Arcadi Voldos gives a brilliant performance.
Transformation Yuja Wang
All Music review raved: "If performing classical music only involved executing the symbols in the score with impeccable precision, Yuja Wang would be a superlative classical practitioner. As in her debut disc of sonatas by Chopin, Liszt, and Scriabin, the Chinese pianist's second release amply demonstrates her transcendental skills. Entitled Transformation, it includes Stravinsky's arrangement of three movements from his ballet Petrushka, Brahms' Variations on a Theme by Paganini, and Ravel's La Valse, plus a pair of sonatas by Scarlatti, the E major K. 380 and the F minor/C major K. 466. The Stravinsky, Brahms, and Ravel works are among the most difficult in the repertoire, while the Scarlatti sonatas are brief interludes between the main courses. Whatever the piece, Wang dispatches it with imperious perfection. Maurizio Pollini cannot top her giddy virtuosity in Petrushka, nor can Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli beat her relentless impetuosity in the Paganini Variations. And even a full symphony orchestra could hardly make a bigger impression in La Valse than Wang."

COUNTRY

Far as the eye can see Barry Saunders.
Barry Saunders is known as the guitarist and vocalist for NZ musical institution the Warratahs, however as he has proved one solo album at a time he is also an exceptional solo artist.

EASY LISTENING

Jane Birkin, Serge Gainsbourg.
This album originally released in 1969 features duets and solo performances by Serge Gainsbourg and his then lover, Jane Birkin.

JAZZ

Sophisticated ladies Charlie Haden Quartet West.
Featuring some of the greatest female vocalists of our time, Cassandra Wilson, Diana Krall, Melody Gardot, Norah Jones, Renee Fleming and Charlie's wife, Ruth Cameron.

POPULAR

Gravity Westlife.
Westlife have teamed up with Grammy Award winning producer / writer / musician John Shanks to return with their 11th album studio.
I am-- world tour Beyonce.
108 Shows, 78 Cities, 32 Countries, 6 Continents, 1.1 Million Fans. Weaved into this concert are highlights that give a rare glimpse into the dynamic and personal world of this multi-faceted icon.
The procession Juliette Commagere.
L.A. singer/songwriter. This album digs deep into Peter Gabriel territory and blends heavy electronic synths with woodsy and ethereal beauty.
Endlessy Duffy.
Duffy presents 'Endlessly', the follow-up to the enormously successful multi-platinum selling album 'Rockferry'.
The living side Meg Hutchinson.
Lyric-based, contemporary acoustic songwriter whose influences include poet Mary Oliver, songwriters Shawn Colvin, Greg Brown and David Gray.
Libra scale Ne-Yo.
Vintage Ne-Yo: sophisticated songwriting, beautiful melodies and a voice that's as supple as it is powerful.
Get closer Keith Urban.
Rolling Stone critic Jon Dolan gave this a 3 star rating, calling it "good-natured country rock".

ROCK

As I call you down Fistful of Mercy.
This group project by Ben Harper, Joseph Arthur and Dhani Harrison effortlessly crosses through genre defining borders.
Greatest hits Good Charlotte.
16 tracks showcasing the bands illustrious career so far, including "I Don't Wanna Be In Love", "I Just Wanna Live", "Little Things" and many more.
I'm having fun now Jenny and Johnny.
Genuine and original pop music for Right Now. This is Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice. They're having fun now, and they want you to, too.
Little Buddha. 3 : Buddha-Bar clubbing collection [compiled] by Sam Popat.
RNB superclub. Club party anthems.
Featuring tracks from Usher, Pitbull, Sean Kingston, B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars, Destiny's Child, Rihanna, Ice Cube, Ciara & Chris Brown to name a few.
The beginning : + the Best of the E.N.D Black Eyed Peas.
While the title of 'The E.N.D.' was a play on words (standing for "The Energy Never Dies"), the new album's title, 'The Beginning', "refers to what is actually happening in the world right now," says will.i.am. "The Beginning is symbolic of adopting new technologies, such as augmented reality, 3D, and 360 video. It's also about being experimental and taking songs we've liked from the past and playing around with sick, crazy beats."
The lady killer Cee-Lo Green.
Cee Lo co-wrote, and sung, the biggest song of 2006: Gnarls Barkley's 'Crazy'.
Greatest hits Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.
This two disc collection features 8 songs featured in the film, 'The Runaways', including one previously unreleased track
Band on the run. Paul McCartney
Newly re-mastered at Abbey Road studios.

TELEVISION

Glee : the music : the Rocky Horror Glee show.
The 'Glee' cast put their spin on many of the 'Rocky Horror' classics including "Science Fiction", "Damn it, Janet", "Sweet Transvestite", "There's a Light" and of course, "Time Warp"

WORLD

Cuban salsa : anthology of Cuban music.
Reo : he waiata Maori hou o Aotearoa = contemporary Maori songs of New Zealand.
Artists include Maria Elliot, Rochelle Biddle, Tumamao Harawira, Piripi Christie and others
The great 36 Maori favourites.
Tipi haere te reo.
A Maori language release that will cross many boundaries, bringing together some of the classic songs we all grew up with and translating them into Maori
Whiti Toni Huata.
Poi e Patea Maori.
This special, re-mastered 25th Anniversary Edition comprises the original 'Poi E' plus an 11-track bonus CD that features several previously unreleased songs, re-mixes and live tracks.

DVDs

FILM

Iron Man 2 Directed by Jon Favreau.
Knight and day Directed by James Mangold.
Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz action tale.
Taking the Waewae Express Directed by Andrea Bosshard, Shane Loader.
The well reviewed first feature of New Zealand filmmakers Andrea Bosshard and Shane Loader is an ensemble, character-based piece, developed using the improvisational processes of British director Mike Leigh. Contemporary, cosmopolitan and multi-lingual, the story addresses: youth’s love affair with cars; accidental death; family expectations and generational conflict.
The blind side Written and directed by John Lee Hancock.
Sandra Bullock in her Oscar winning performance.
The imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Directed by Terry Gilliam.
Terry Gilliam directs a cast that includes Heath Ledger, Christopher Plummer, Lily Cole, Tom Waits Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law.
Alice in Wonderland Directed by Tim Burton.
Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Matt Lucas, etc.

MUSIC

Songs from the road Leonard Cohen.
Live in Vienna/ Lang Lang. Lang Lang

Non-fiction

Mary: the Mary MacKillop story Kay Pavlou.
Australia : land of parrots A film by David Parer and Elizabeth Parer-Cook.
Multi-award winning, natural history filmmakers David Parer and Elizabeth Parer-Cook have turned their cameras to the sky to capture the spirit of these dazzling birds with breathtaking results - including rare and never before seen footage
Country calendar : director's pick.
Radar's patch.
2010 Australian Muscle Car Masters : 50 years of Australian touring car racing.
Chris & Don : a love story Directed by Guido Santi & Tina Mascara.
The true-life story of the passionate three-decade relationship between British writer Christopher Isherwood (whose Berlin Stories was the basis for all incarnations of the much-beloved Cabaret) and American portrait painter Don Bachardy, thirty years his junior.
Rivers. Craig Potton
Photographer and conservationist Craig Potton has spent 40 years photographing New Zealand landscapes. "Making art out of our forests, our coastlines and most of all, out of our rivers," he says early on in this beautifully shot five-part documentary series.

TV SERIES

Doctor Who. Revelation of the Daleks.
Doctor Who. Series 5, volume 1.
Grey's anatomy : complete sixth season : more is better.
Outrageous fortune. Series six

Talking Books

Strange images of death Barbara Cleverly.

ADVENTURE

Pirate latitudes Michael Crichton.
The silent sea Clive Cussler, with Jack Du Brul.
The silent sea (MP3) Clive Cussler, with Jack Du Brul.
The commodore C.S. Forester.
Flashman and the angel of the Lord George MacDonald Fraser.
Fire force Matthew Lynn.
Fire force (MP3) Matthew Lynn.
Timebomb Gerald Seymour.
King of kings Allan Mallinson.

FICTION

Best of women's short stories. Volume one.
In the kitchen Monica Ali.
And thereby hangs a tale Jeffrey Archer.
The L-shaped room Lynne Reid Banks.
The missing boy Rachel Billington.
Tell me no secrets Julie Corbin.
The adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Volume 1 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
The adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Volume 2 Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
The strange case of the composer and his judge Patricia Duncker.
The siege (MP3) Helen Dunmore.
The truth about you Melissa Hill.
Goodbye, Mr Chips James Hilton.
A summer fling Milly Johnson.
The innocent Ian McEwan.
The last letter from your lover Jojo Moyes.
The hand that first held mine Maggie O'Farrell.
The hand that first held mine (MP3) Maggie O'Farrell.
The men from the boys Tony Parsons.
Christmas at Thrush Green Miss Read.
All quiet on the western front Erich Maria Remarque
The house of the deer D.E. Stevenson.
Unconditional surrender Evelyn Waugh.
Falling star jeanne Whitmee.
Mr Mulliner speaking P.G. Wodehouse.

HISTORICAL

Meridon Philippa Gregory.
The revolt of the eaglets Jean Plaidy.
The bones of Avalon Phil Rickman.
The bones of Avalon (MP3) Phil Rickman.

MYSTERY

The sounds of crime various authors ; [edited by Maxim Jakubowski].
Terror's reach Tom Bale.
A stranger in the family Robert Barnard.
The sweetness at the bottom of the pie Alan Bradley.
The gardens of the dead William Brodrick.
The anniversary man R.J. Ellory.
Sizzling sixteen Janet Evanovich.
Sizzling sixteen (MP3) Janet Evanovich.
Knock down Dick Francis.
This body of death Elizabeth George.
U is for undertow Sue Grafton.
U is for undertow (MP3) Sue Grafton.
The blue demon David Hewson.
The skull beneath the skin P.D. James.
The perfect murder Peter James.
The executor Jesse Kellerman.
The executor (MP3) Jesse Kellerman.
The quarry Clare Littleford.
When in Rome Ngaio Marsh.
9th judgement James Patterson with Maxine Paetro.
9th judgement (MP3) James Patterson with Maxine Paetro.
No more dying then Ruth Rendell.
Tigerlily's orchids Ruth Rendell.
Constable at the fair Nicholas Rhea.
Mistaken identity Lisa Scottoline.
No going back Lyndon Stacey.

Non-fiction

At home Bill Bryson.
Paw tracks in the moonlight/ by Denis O'Connor.
Lost and found Lynda Bellingham.
Hunting evil Guy Walters.
The forgotten highlander Alistair Urquhart.
Dear Mr Bigelow Frances Woodsford.
Teatime tales from Dundee Maureen Reynolds.
Death and the virgin Chris Skidmore.
Task force black Lyndon Stacey.

ROMANCE

The perfect match? Penny Jordan.
The earl and the hoyden Mary Nichols.

SAGA

Desire Louise Bagshawe.
Desire (MP3) Louise Bagshawe.
A mistletoe kiss Katie Flynn.
Jail bait June Hampson.
Beyond the sunset Anna Jacobs.
Beyond the sunset (MP3) Anna Jcobs.
Who's sorry now (MP3) Freda Lightfoot.
Rhiannon Carole Llewellyn.
The uncertain years Beryl Matthews.
Lost angel Kitty Neale.
The boat house Pamela Oldfield.
The boat house (MP3) Pamela Oldfield.
Natasha's dream Mary Jane Staples.
Natasha's dream (MP3) Mary Jane Staples.
Folly Alan Titchmarsh.
Life's for living (MP3) Elizabeth Waite.

SCIENCE FICTION

Consider Phlebas Iain M. Banks.
Consider Phlebas (MP3) Mandasue Heller.
The Martian chronicles Ray Bradbury.
The war of the worlds (MP3) H.G. Wells.