Pomp and Circumstance of Harrogate - Classical Music, Jazz and More

Whether you are a regular or an occasional visitor to the shop, or have never been to see us but use our mail order service, we wish you and your families a very Happy Christmas! We are grateful that you chose us to supply your music on CD and DVD and we will continue to do our very best to meet your needs. We thank you for your supporting an independent record shop (I mean us!) and we will never take you for granted.

Tuesday - 20 December 9.30 - 5.30
Wednesday - 21 December 9.30 - 5.30
Thursday - 22 December 9.30 - 7.00
Friday - 23 December 9.30 - 5.30
Saturday (Christmas Eve) - 24 December 9.30 - 1.00
Sunday 25 December - Monday 2 January inclusive - closed

... begins 9.30am on Wednesday 4 January! 20% or more off sale-marked items. Don't miss it!

Arguably one of the world's greatest pianists, we are delighted to announce that Canadian pianist Marc-André Hamelin will give a recital at the Wesley Chapel in Harrogate. The programme is:

Haydn: Sonata for Keyboard No. 53 in E Minor Hob. XV1/34
Stockhausen: Klavierstucke IX
Villa-Lobos: Rudepoema
Interval
Liszt: Sonata in B Minor S.178

Pomp and Circumstance celebrated its first birthday under new management on 21st May 2010!

On Saturday 21st May we marked the occasion with drinks, nibbles and cake - our way of thanking our faithful customers for their support. We hope you will continue to visit for complementary cups of coffee whilst you listen to music, engage in debate and/or banter (also free of charge) and - I nearly forgot - buy or order the occasional CD!

As music lovers we know how frustrating it is to hear a piece of music and not be able to get hold of it easily. Although we have the largest range of classical and jazz in Yorkshire, we also offer a full customer order service for music CDs and DVDs which are not in stock. We’re often asked if we can order music other than classical and jazz, and the answer is an emphatic 'yes' - we've placed orders for just about every kind of music, much to the delight of our many satisfied customers! In addition, we can mail your purchases to your friends or relatives anywhere in the world. Our UK customer base ranges from Aberdeen to Whitstable, and overseas from China to the United States, so you can be confident of an efficient and timely service.

Everyone is welcome at Pomp and Circumstance.

Be sure to visit us, have a complimentary cup of coffee and browse. If you are unable to come to the shop, give us a call if you want to know if we have a particular item.

We are particularly good at tracking down deletions, or locating a CD version of that much-loved but never-played LP in your collection. Just email peter@pomp-and-circumstance.co.uk

Britain's star classical trumpet soloist performed Haydn's concerto quite beautifully on Saturday 14th May at the re-opening of the York Barbican. It was a pleasure to meet Ms Balsom at the interval where she signed the CDs bought by members of the audience. Alison had been presented with the Female Artist of the Year award (which she also won in 2009) for her Italian Concertos CD - click here to order - at The Classical Brit Awards only two days before. Here's an extract from the EMI press release:

Acclaimed British trumpeter Alison Balsom... appeared on the red carpet and in the hall for her performance dressed in stunning gowns by Armani and dripping in £1 million worth of diamonds courtesy of Van Cleef & Arpels. Next month sees Alison Balsom head back into the studio to record her forthcoming album Modern Trumpet Concertos, due for release by EMI Classics in January 2012. The album will include a world premiere recording of a brand-new, specially commissioned work Seraph by James MacMillan CBE.

What a stunning recital this was. In 'a change to the advertised programme', M. Bavouzet omitted the Liszt Dante Sonata, but included a transcription for solo piano of Debussy's Jeux, and Liszt's Rigoletto Paraphrase. His encore was Massenet's Toccata. Before each piece he contributed some illuminating explanatory remarks; his engaging personality was evident both verbally and musically. In the Debussy selections his touch was exquisite. By contrast, during the climax of the Liszt/Wagner Liebestod from Tristan and Isolde I thought the piano was going to catch fire! Let's hope he returns to the Wesley Chapel to delight us again.

Pomp and Circumstance recommends...

The inspiration for Tallis' 40-part mass Spem in Alium - Alessandro Striggio's Missa Ecco si beato giorno for the same forces - has been committed to disc and is a revelatory experience. With a 'making of' DVD as a bonus, and a total of nine world premiere recordings, this should be in every early music collection. I nearly forgot to mention that a new version of Spem in Alium with instruments is also included! Price £16.40 - email us to order.

Rutter: Gloria, Magnificat & Te Deum
Three of John Rutter's most beautiful choral works on one CD - Gloria, Magnificat and the Te Deum. With soprano Elizabeth Cragg, the Choirs of St Albans Cathedral, Ensemble DeChorum, Tom Winpenny (organ) directed by Andrew Lucas. Price £6.15 - email us to order.

For unashamed fun, nothing can beat this collection of film music by Doreen Carwithen! Includes suites from Mantrap, Travel Royal, Three cases of murder, Boys in Brown plus music from Men of Sherwood Forest, To the public danger and East Anglian Holiday. Price: £11.30 - email us to order.

Finally, La Stravaganza. Europa Galante under the direction of violinist Fabio Biondi play six violin concertos by Vivaldi, plus the Concerto in F Major for violin, cello and strings. Gorgeous, spirited music-making! Price: £14.35 - email us to order.