Howard Shore has recorded and composed music for about 80 films, including J.R.R. Tolkein's massive trilogy, "The Lord of the Rings." These days, Howard told me he's writing more concert music. And he's just released a new recording featuring two of his concertos, "Mythic Gardens," a concerto for violincello and orchestra featuring Sophie Shao; and a piano concert titled "Ruin and Memory," featuring Lang Lang as the soloist.

One of the greatest violinists of our time, Anne-Sophie Mutter, is celebrating her 40th anniversary as a performer. Much of the repertoire she has performed over the past 20 years or so appears on a new two-CD compilation titled 'Mutterissimo.' It's on New Classical Tracks for April 19, 2017.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster, composer Karl Jenkins was commissioned to compose the, 'Cantata Memoria,' for large vocal and orchestral forces. It was recently recorded with a cast of leading soloists including Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, and harpist Catrin Finch.

New Classical Tracks: Jan Lisiecki - Chopin: Works for Piano and Orchestra

New Classical Tracks: Bela Fleck - Juno Concerto

New Classical Tracks: Piotr Anderszewski - Fantaisies

New Classical Tracks: Minnesota Orchestra - Kullervo

New Classical Tracks: Cypress String Quartet - Brahms String Sextets

New Classical Tracks: Celebrating Ginastera

New Classical Tracks: Jenny Lin - Melody's Mostly Musical Day