January Classical_2

harmonia mundi UK

Classical new releases

JANUARY 2016

DISTRIBUTED LABELS: ACCENT RECORDS, ACTES SUD, AGOGIQUE, ALIA VOX, AMBRONAY, APARTE, ARTE VERUM, AUDITE, BEL AIR, BELVEDERE, THE CHOIR OF KINGS COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE, CONVIVIUM, CHRISTOPHORUS, CSO RESOUND, DUCALE, EDITION CLASSICS, EVIDENCE, FLORA, FRA MUSICA, GLOSSA, harmonia mundi, HAT[NOW]ART, HERITAGE, KAMER, KML, LA DOLCE VOLTA, LA MUSICA, LES ARTS FLORISSANTS EDITIONS, LSO LIVE, MARIINSKY, MIRARE, MODE, MUSO, MYRIOS, MUSIQUES A LA CHABOTTERIE, NAÏVE, ONYX, OPELLA NOVA,, PAN CLASSICS, PARADIZO, PARATY, PHIL.HARMONIE, PRAGA DIGITALS, RADIO FRANCE, RAM, REAL COMPAÑIA ÓPERA DE CÁMARA, RCO LIVE, SFZ MUSIC, SIGNUM, STRADIVARIUS, TREASURE ISLAND, UNITED ARCHIVES, WALHALL ETERNITY, WERGO, WIGMORE HALL LIVE, WINTER & WINTER, YSAYE

available January 22nd, call-off Jan 15th 2016

BBC Music Magazine January Choral and Song Choice

LSO Live LSO0782 Schumann Das Paradies und die Peri LSO, LSC, Soloists, Sir Simon Rattle

Concerto Choice

harmonia mundi HMC902209 Dutilleux Tout un monde lointain [cello concerto]; Debussy Cello Sonata Emmanuelle Bertrand, Pascal Amoyel, Lucerne SO/James Gaffigan

Gramophone Editor’s Choice December

Muso MU008 Minoritenkonvent: Biber, Viviani, Vojta, Faber / Stephanie Paulet [violin]; Elisabeth Geiger [organ]

22/11 SUNDAY TIMES RECORD OF THE WEEK ONYX4158 Dalibor

“[Dalibor] is to be welcomed not only for the opera’s rarity, but for its thrilling performance in splendid modern sound”

RELEASE DATE 22ND JANUARY 2016

MENDELSSOHN: Symphonies 3 & 4 Freiburger Barockorchester Pablo Heras-Casado In later life, Mendelssohn always opposed the use of the terms ‘Scottish’ and ‘Italian’ for his symphonies in A minor and A major respectively, as if to emphasise their qualities as ‘pure’ music. Yet they were directly inspired by his European Grand Tour of 1829-32: from the gloomy ruins of Holyrood Abbey to the sun-drenched landscapes of Rome and Naples, his imagination fashioned masterpieces that have seldom been surpassed for their sense of orchestral colour, vividly brought out here by the period instruments of the Freiburger Barockorchester.

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Label: harmonia mundi File Under: Classical/Orchestral Catalogue No: HMC902228 Barcode: 3149020222829 Price: ÂŁ9.48 Format: 1 CD Packaging: digipack Freiburger Barockorchester Pablo Heras-Casado

“Now here is a belter of a recording... take this blazingly convincing performance of the Second Symphony, with the great Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra at its best under the direction of young Spanish genius Pablo Heras Casado, as the supremely authoritative vision that it is.� Michael Tumelty, Herald – 9th March 2014 “this is a recording that made me remember why I love this piece. Mendelssohn’s Bach-inspired grasp of polyphony shines through with total clarity, and a work that can sometimes seem unwieldy here has an inexorable logic driving it from start to finish.� Presto Classical – April 2014 “This excellent new release is a match for any of the versions in the catalogue.� The Herald

RELEASE DATE 22ND JANUARY 2016

BRAHMS: Piano Quartet Op.60, Trio Op 8 (version originale) Trio Wanderer Christophe Gaugué Brahms almost completely rewrote his Trio Op. 8 35 years after its first performance – yet the rarely performed original version (recorded here) is a splendid example of the impetuous, fantastical universe of the young composer. Similarly, his intense self-criticism meant it took him 19 years to produce the definitive version of his Piano Quartet Op.60, perhaps the freest and most intimate of his three works for these forces.

The Trio Wanderer's Complete Piano Trios of Brahms [HMC901915/16 nla] was a Daily Telegraph CD of the Week: “A superb Brahms recital”, said Richard Wigmore, and Stephen Johnson in BBC Music Magazine opined: “This is some of the most elegant playing I have heard in Brahms’s chamber music…superb playing.”

Label: harmonia mundi File Under: Classical/Chamber music Catalogue No: HMC902222 Barcode: 3149020222225 NORMAL Price Format: 1 CD Packaging: digipack Trio Wanderer, Christophe Gaugué [viola]

“They make such a beautiful sound, they sound so utterly in tune with the music, they are so sympathetically recorded that, really, comparisons are irrelevant” Piers Burton-Page, International Record Review, July/August 2006

RELEASE DATE 22ND JANUARY 2016

RAVEL: Daphnis & Chloé, Pavane pour une infant défunte Bolero [DVD extra]

London Symphony Orchestra Valery Gergiev

Label: LSO Live File Under: Classical/Orchestral Catalogue No: LSO0696 Barcode: 822231169628 NORMAL Price Format: 1 CD + DVD Packaging: cristal London Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Chorus, Valery Gergiev

In 2011 LSO Live released Ravel 'Daphnis et Chloé', 'Pavane pour une infante défunte' & 'Boléro' on 1 SACD. Available now internationally LSO Live present this release with the addition of a DVD of concert footage of Valery Gergiev conducting 'Boléro'.

Ravel was commissioned by Serge Diaghilev in 1909 to write the music for 'Daphnis et Chloé'. Although he subsequently prepared orchestral suites of the score, the complete work is a magnificent showpiece in its own right. Ravel described it as a symphonie choréographique although it is essentially an extended tone poem. Luscious orchestral colours run throughout the work, portraying the passion of the two protagonists for each other. By contrast, 'Pavane pour une infante défunte', composed whilst Ravel was still a student of Gabriel Fauré, harks back to the simplicity of the 18th-century music of Rameau. 'Boléro', available now in this package as a DVD, is one of his final works, and his most infamous showpiece, highlighting the Spanish influences and passion that pervade so many of his works.

[LSO0693 Daphnis et Chloé, to be deleted, SACD only] "The work (Daphnis and Chloe) is in the orchestra’s blood. Valery Gergiev’s combination of attention to detail and grasp of long-term architecture allied to a splendid surround sound recording make this a very enticing prospect. The strings sweep and swoon magnificently, the numerous woodwind solos are rarely less than sublime, while the brass manage both statuesque mobility in the panoramic vistas, and bracing punch in the general dances, ably supported by crackling percussion." BBC Music Magazine "Gergiev generates a frisson in everything he conducts ... This Daphnis with the London Symphony Orchestra has everything one could want – atmosphere, languor, superb wind playing. Gergiev generates more high-voltage drama than rival versions." Financial Times "There is mystery and wonder in almost every bar ... This release is a triumph for Gergiev and the incomparable London Symphony. Bravo!" American Record Guide "Those like me who enjoyed this conductor’s Romeo & Juliet will not be disappointed with this new recording ... the orchestral detail is impressive throughout ... highly recommended." Fanfare

RELEASE DATE 22ND JANUARY 2016

Schubertiade Julian Prégardien, Marc Hantaï, Philippe Pierlot, Xavier Diaz-Latorre In their 'Schubertiade', Julian Prégardien and his instrumental friends recreate the special artistic mood one could have felt in Schubert’s day in a Viennese salon. To evoke that atmosphere, they have created a new collage of musical and literary fragments associated with the composer, featuring the unusual combination of flute, baryton and guitar.

Three experienced early music specialists with the best credentials – Philippe Pierlot, Marc Hantaï and Xavier Diaz-Latorre, known from the Ricercar Consort, Le Concert des Nations and Les Arts Florissants – gather as a fine instrumental ensemble around one of the young singers most in demand on the current musical scene. With them, he presents his new SACD album “Schubertiade” on the Cologne-based Myrios classics label. Well-known Schubert songs such as 'Heidenröslein', the 'Harpist’s Song' and 'Schwanengesang' alternate here with dances and short instrumental pieces.

Label: Myrios Classics File Under: Classical/Secular Vocal music Catalogue No: MYR018 Barcode: 4260183510185 NORMAL Price Format: 1 SACD Packaging: cristal Julian Prégardien [tenor & recitation] Marc Hantaï [transverse flute] Philippe Pierlot [baryton] Xavier Diaz-Latorre [guitar]

HARTLING: „Die Szene ist ein Bild“, SCHUBERT: Der Wanderer D 489 Op. 4 Nr. 1, Klage an das Volk, Morgenlied D 685 Op. 4 Nr. 2, Tänze Nr. 1 & 5 aus D 365 Op. 9, Schäfers Klagelied D 121 Op. 3 Nr. 1, Heidenröslein D 257 Op. 3 Nr. 3, STEGEMANN: August 1815, SCHUBERT: Wanderers Nachtlied D 224 Op. 4 Nr. 3, MATIEGKA:Notturno Op. 21, SCHUBERT: Auf dem Strom D 943 Op. posthum 119, Sehnsucht D 516 Op. 8 Nr. 2, MERTZ: Nachtviolen Op. 2, SCHUBERT: Schwanengesang D744 Op. 23 Nr. 3, Auf dem Wasser zu singen D774 Op. 72, Lachen und Weinen D777 Op. 59 Nr. 4, MAYRHOFER: Geheimnis. An Franz Schubert, SCHUBERT: Nachtviolen D752 WoO, Ich kann die Scharade nicht erraten (Peter Härtling), SCHUBERT: Gesänge des Harfners Op. 12, Wer sich der Einsamkeit ergibt D478, Improvisation, Wer nie sein Brot mit Tränen aß D480, Improvisation, An die Türen will ich schleichen D479, Menuetto & Trio aus D894 Op. 78, MAYRHOFER: An Franz, SCHUBERT: Ständchen D957/4 WoO

ALSO AVAILABLE: MYR012 An die Geliebte “his voice [is] sweeter and silker than his father's, but characterised by that same delectable enunciation and high intelligence...It's a painstakingly researched and meticulously prepared recital...Both Pregardien and his excellent pianist Christoph Schnackertz, exquisitely capture the quicksilver, volatile spirit of Wolf's responses.”

BBC Music Magazine, Choral & Song Choice September 2014

RELEASE DATE 22ND JANUARY 2016

BIBER: Imitatio Maude Gratton Ricercar Consort Philippe Pierlot Heinrich Ignaz Franz von BIBER: Serenada à 5, Balletti Lamentabili à 4, Sonata VI, Battalia Johann Heinrich SCHMELZER: Serenata con altre arie à 5, Sonata representativa, Sonata à viol. è viola Alessandro POGLIETTI: Toccatina sopra la Ribellione di Hungheria, Johann Kaspar KERLL: Halter. Der steyrische Hirt, Sonata A 3 ex G Bmol

Label: Mirare File Under: Classical/Instrumental Catalogue No: MIR302 Barcode: 3760127223023 NORMAL Price Format: 1 CD Packaging: digipack Ricercar Consort: Sophie Gent, Tuomo Suni [violins] Philippe Pierlot [alto & bass viols] Kaori Uemura, Rainer Zipperling [bass viols] Frank Coppieters [violone] Maude Gratton [harpsichord] Julien Wolfs [organ, harpsichord]

At the end of the Thirty Years War, the support of the Viennese Imperial Court allowed the emergence of an extraordinarily talented generation of musicians speaking with virtuosity, humour and depth. Schmelzer, Biber and Kerll were at the forefront. For Carnival festivities where music has pride of place they regale us with earthy works that mimic the sounds of nature and everyday life. They also had to meet the taste of Emperor Leopold I, who particularly appreciated imitative counterpoint, and for whom they composed these sonatas which have the power to elevate the soul and spirit. "the Ricercar Consort, whose offerings on Mirare over the years are always exquisitely rendered.”

Jonathan Freeman-Attwood, Gramophone, May 2009 Couperin Grande Sonade, Rebel Tombeau de Monsieur de Lully MIR150 “The consort’s performance is superbly stylised…The programme is excellently recorded in a glorious acoustic.”

George Pratt, Chamber Choice BBC Music Magazine, April 2012 *****/***** “The first thing to say about this disc is that it has a truly gorgeous sound…The superior sound quality would be for nought without good performances, of course. The Consort plays these serious but entertaining works with considerable charm and superlative technique, sounding at once magisterial and spontaneous.”

Christopher Price, International Record Review, June 2012

RELEASE DATE 22ND JANUARY 2016

GABRIELI: Music at San Marco Sacrae Cantiones 1565

Ensemble Officium Wilfried Rombach

Label: Christophorus File Under: Classical/Choral Catalogue No: CHR77390 Barcode: 4010072773906 NORMAL Price Format: 1 CD Packaging: digipack Ensemble Officium Wilfried Rombach

Andrea Gabrieli is one of the major musical figures of the late 16th century. Although he spent a large part of his life as an organist in San Mark's, Venice, he is distinguished by his broad palette of styles and musical genres within his substantial compositional output. It can rightly be asserted that Gabrieli was the first Italian composer of international stature who primarily achieved his reputation on the strength of large-scale polychoral compositions. His significance additionally rests on his lasting effect as the teacher of an entire generation of musicians who then guaranteed the dissemination of his style across the south of Germany.

Gabrieli’s early compositions such as the 'Sacræ Cantiones' dating from 1565 are without doubt influenced by the works of Lasso with whom a lifelong friendship connected him. Orlando di Lasso had indeed published a set of motets in Munich and Venice only two years before Gabrieli, also entitled 'Cantiones'. One is left with the suspicion that Gabrieli was entering into competition with Lasso with his collection of works and was seeking comparison with his fellow musician, a customary practice during this period.

Gabrieli impressed not only through his excellent mastery of classical vocal polyphony, but also with compositions distinguished by a new simplicity generated by a close adherence to the comprehensibility of the text. His works were very much forward-looking, already anticipating the tonal language of composers such as Hans Leo Hassler and Melchior Franck.

Laudate Dominum omnes gentes [instrumental] Laudate Dominum in sanctis eius á 10 aus: Concerti di Andrea et di Giovanni Gabrieli 1587 Laudate Dominum Diminuition für Zink & Orgel, Bonum est confiteri, Domine, quid multiplicati Sic Deus dilexit mundum, Sancta et immaculata, O sacrum convivium [instrumental] Laetare Ierusalem, Verba mea auribus, O sacrum convivium, O lux beata trinitas Deus noster refugium, Levavi oculos meos, Domine Dominus noster

RELEASE DATE 22ND JANUARY 2016

Luzzasco LUZZASCHI: Madrigals, Motets, & Instrumental Music Profeti della Quinta

Label: Pan Classics File Under: Classical/Secular Vocal music Catalogue No: PC10350 Barcode: 7619990103504 NORMAL Price Format: 1 CD Packaging: digipack Profeti della Quinta: Perrine Devillers [soprano] Doron Schleifer, David Feldman [countertenor] Lior Leibovici, Cory Knight, Dan Dunkelblum tenor] Elam Rotem [bass, harpsichord, organ, direction], Eva Saladin [violin] Giovanna Baviera, Ryosuke Sakamoto [viol] Elizabeth Rumsey [viol, lirone] Orí Harmelin [chitarrone] Aki Noda [organ]

In his publications, Luzzasco Luzzaschi (c. 1545-1607) presents himself, rather modestly as the “Organist of the Serene Highness Duke of Ferrara”. Accordingly, Luzzaschi’s reputation today is similarly modest; he is known, if at all, thanks only to the music he composed for the Concerto delle Dame – an ensemble of virtuoso female singers at the d’Este court in Ferrara. And yet, when his entire oeuvre is explored, one discovers that his music and influence are greater than could have been imagined. In fact, Luzzaschi was both musically and historically one of the central musical figures of the late Renaissance.

This recording presents a broad picture of Luzzaschi’s oeuvre, selecting works in various genres, performed in historically informed settings with appropriate performance practices. While pieces for the Concerto delle Dame are included, one of the intentions of Profeti della Quinta is to highlight the fact that the rest of Luzzaschi’s output stands equally alongside these compositions. Many of the pieces are recorded here for the very first time.

The programme opens with a festive 6-voice madrigal, 'Ecco il bel Lauro verde', performed by singers and an instrumental consort. This is followed by madrigals for 5 voices, performed either a cappella or with chitarrone accompaniment; grave polyphonic motets, performed with organ accompaniment, and various instrumental pieces. The picture is completed by pieces written for the Concerto delle Dame as well as special new arrangements of 5-voice madrigals into solos and duets, which evidence suggests was done at the time of the Concerto delle Dame.

Full track listing available on request Also available: PC10323 Lasso–Musica Reservata: Secret Music for Albrecht V of Bavaria “It's secret in that the Penitential Psalms, written around 1560, were kept strictly within court — preserved only in a sumptuously illuminated manuscript. These readings of three of them re-create the mixed vocal and instrumental ensemble shown in that document. The results do this sumptuous yet dignified music full justice. “ Stephen Pettitt – The Sunday Times, 1st February 2015 PC10302 Rotem Rappresentatione di Guiseppe e I suoi fratelli “there is so much to enjoy here” Brian Clark – Early Music Today, October, 2014

RELEASE DATE 22nd JANUARY 2016

Hans ABRAHAMSEN: Let me tell you Barbara Hannigan Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks Andris Nelsons

Label: Winter&Winter File Under: Classical/Secular Vocal music Catalogue No: 917232-1 Barcode: 025091723218 Price: £15.98 Format: 1 Disque Vinyle Packaging: special Barbara Hannigan [soprano] Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks Andris Nelsons [conductor] Text: Paul Griffiths

Premiered by soprano Barbara Hannigan [with the Berlin Philharmonic] and conductor Andris Nelsons in 2013. 'Let me tell you', winner of the 2016 Gawemeyer Award, is a setting of a libretto by Paul Griffiths. The work is based on Griffiths’ 2008 novel of the same name, using the limited vocabulary which Shakespeare afforded Ophelia to create a more complex idea of the character. Comprising seven poems, the work is divided into three parts devoted to Ophelia’s past, present and future.

Danish composer Hans Abrahamsen was smitten by the idea of scoring Paul Griffiths’ novella 'let me tell you'; Barbara Hannigan, asked to sing at a surprise party for the writer and critic, dared to suggest a commission to the Berlin Philharmonic. Before she knew it, they had accepted. While many world premieres fall into oblivion, she has ensured subsequent performances with the Gothenburg Symphony, Rotterdam Philharmonic and the City of Birmingham Symphony this season; other orchestras have plans to programme the work further down the line.

The soprano, who has sung some 80 premieres, feels such a strong sense of responsibility that she compares the piece to a baby: "Don’t drop it," she wants to say, "keep it clothed and nourished."

This is the second time that a musical setting of a text by Paul Griffiths has won the Grawemeyer (Tan Dun's Marco Polo won in 1998). The piece also won the 2014 Royal Philharmonic Society award for large-scale composition, which described it as "a work of exquisite beauty whose ravishing surface belies a meticulously imagined and innovative score".

Abrahamsen’s other accolades include the Carl Nielsen Prize (1989) and the Wilhelm Hansen Composer Prize (1998).

Hannigan has revealed just how involved she was at the early stages of the composition process: this being the composer’s first sung work, she [Hannigan] gave him a four-hour session in vocal music from Renaissance to 12-tone. "I think that’s why the writing doesn’t feel like modern music to me," she says. "I feel like it has always been there. Even though the intervals and rhythms might be difficult, the lyricism has a timeless quality." "ravishingly and astonishingly beautiful […] a very special piece indeed." Andrew Clements, The Guardian ALSO AVAILABLE: 910216-2 Abrahamsen-Zahlen & Erzahlen/Tamara Stefanovich [piano]; WDRSO Koln, Jonathan Stockhammer 910203-2 Abrahamsen-Wald & Walden/Calefax Reed Quintet, Asko Schoenberg Ensemble, Reinbert de Leeuw 910159-2 Abrahamsen-Schnee/Ensemble Recherche

RELEASE DATE 22ND JANUARY 2016

Johann Sebastian Bach, Sei Suonate à Cembalo certato e violino Solo BWV 1014-1019, Leila Schayegh Jörg Halubek

Label: Glossa File Under: Classical/Instrumental Catalogue No: GCD923507 Barcode: 8424562235076 2 FOR 1.5 Format: 2 CD Packaging: digipack Leila Schayegh [violin] Jörg Halubek [harpsichord]

Two rising stars in today’s firmament of Baroque music performance, Leila Schayegh and Jörg Halubek, join forces to record one of the major challenges in their joint repertory: the six Bach Violin Sonatas, BWV 1014-1019.

The collection’s title, 'Sei Suonate à Cembalo certato è Violino Solo', reflects the close partnership demanded of the violin and harpsichord players, with Bach moving away from the idea of continuo support for a solo instrument and constantly making new technical demands on the musicians and thereby approaching the concept of the triosonata.

Completed by around 1725, most of these richly characterful works combine the Italian style and a cantabile tone with elements of German contrapuntal style.

The artistic partnership of Schayegh and Halubek, now in its tenth year, has seen them record chamber music by Jean-Marie Leclair, CPE Bach and Giovanni Mossi but the Bach Violin Sonatas represents their first joint recording for Glossa. Leila Schayegh has been part of the recent much-acclaimed recording of Caldara Trio Sonatas, Op 1 with Amandine Beyer, as well as regularly having featured on many of La Risonanza’s Glossa releases. As Schayegh and Habulek mention in their shared booklet essay guiding the listener through the Violin Sonatas (and through the 12 represented keys which are also reflected in the set’s graphic design), they have added two movements from the earlier version of the final Sonata, BWV 1019a as a kind of cheerful and delightful encore.

RELEASE DATE 22ND JANUARY 2016

HEINICHEN: Italian Cantatas & Concertos

Label: Accent Records File Under: Classical/Secular Vocal music Catalogue No: ACC24309 Barcode: 4015023243095 NORMAL Price Format: 1 CD Packaging: digipack Terry Wey [alto] Marie Friederike Schöder [soprano] Batzdorfer Hofkapelle

During the 12 years as Hofkapellmeister in Dresden, Heinichen produced works for the Catholic church services at court, serenatas (larger-scale vocal and instrumental compositions) for festivities at court, one opera and a wealth of concertos and instrumental chamber music works. He additionally composed a whole series of secular cantatas in the Italian language – in continuation of his Venetian activities – for one or two voices with basso continuo, most of which were augmented by melodic instrumental parts as accompaniment or occasionally in a solo capacity.

Four of these cantatas are included on this CD recording. They transport listeners to a mythical Arcadia peopled by graceful and innocent nymphs and shepherds such as Clori and Tirsi. Heinichen sets these texts according to customary operatic forms – recitatives and arias mostly in a da capo structure. He is fond of embellishing the contrasting cantabile and virtuoso vocal lines with colourful instrumentation in which the woodwinds lend bucolic shading. The vocal compositions are complemented on this recording by two instrumental works in which Heinichen provides his colleagues with additional opportunities to present themselves to their best advantage. Reminiscences of Antonio Vivaldi with his solo concertos are undeniable: his clearly structured ritornello forms and catchy themes were heard and imitated with enthusiasm throughout Europe.

Featured on this recording are two of the rising vocal stars in the Baroque firmament. Soprano Marie Friederike Schöder and countertenor Terry Wey are supported here by the expert playing of the Batzdorfer Hofkapelle, specialists in the Dresden Baroque repertoire.

Concerto in G minor S237 for oboe, strings & basso continuo Cantata »Intorno a quella rosa« S171 for alto, 2 recorders, 2 oboes, 2 violins & basso continuo Cantata »Lascia di tormentarmi« S149 for soprano, 2 recorders obligato, 2 oboes, strings & basso continuo Concerto in D major S224 for violin, strings & basso continuo Cantata »La bella fiamma« S183 for alto, theorbo & basso continuo Cantata »Se mai, Tirsi, mio bene« S180 for soprano, alto, 2 recorders 2 oboes, strings & basso continuo

RELEASE DATE 22ND JANUARY 2016

Sebastián DURON: LÁGRIMAS, AMOR… Arias for Soprano Eva Juárez [soprano] A Corte Musical Rogério Goncalves [direction]

Label: Pan Classics File Under: Classical/Opera & Vocal/Zarzuela Catalogue No: PC10320 Barcode: 7619990103207 NORMAL Price Format: 1 CD Packaging: digipack Eva Juárez – soprano A Corte Musical Rogério Goncalves – direction

Sebastián Durón was, together with Antonio de Literes, the greatest Spanish composer of stage music of his time. He served as organist and choirmaster at various cathedrals (Seville, Cuenca, El Burgo de Osma, Plasencia) until in 1691 he was appointed master of the Royal Chapel of King Charles II in Madrid. He remained in this position until 1706, when he was suspended because of expressing support for the Archduke Charles of Austria during the War of Spanish Succession, which ended with the victory of the Bourbon King Philip V. Durón was forced into exile in France. He died in 1716 at Cambo-les-Bains, Aquitaine.

Although Durón composed many sacred pieces, his main output was repertoire for the stage, mostly zarzuelas. On occasion of the 300th anniversary of Duron’s death in 1716, Rogério Conçalves and his ensemble A Corte Musical, joined by the Spanish soprano Eva Juárez, present on this CD a fine selection of arias taken from his zarzuelas. The pieces show great originality and dramatic quality and confirm Durón as one of the most important Spanish composers of stage music of all times.

Vaya pues rompiendo el ayre (Jácara de navidad), Auras Suaves (from “Las nuevas armas de Amor” c.1702), Ondas, riscos, peces, mares (“Veneno es de Amor la envidia” c.1706), Españoleta – Anonymous (instrumental), El marido que sufrido, Dioses piedad (“Coronis” c.1705) Yo no puedo (“El imposible mayor en amor le vence Amor” c.1703), Chacona – Anonymous (instrumental), La borrachita de amor (Solo humano), Llorad infaustos zagales (“Veneno es de Amor la envidia”, c.1706), Passacalles de primer tono – Anonymous (instrumental), Se hacemos treguas (“El imposible mayor en amor le vence Amor” c.1703)

RELEASE DATE 22ND JANUARY 2016

The Captive Nightingale German Romantic Rarities for soprano, clarinet and piano

Elena Xanthoudakis Australian soprano Elena Xanthoudakis joins forces with her brother, Jason, and Clemens Leske to perform some lost gems of Romantic chamber music and lieder repertoire, by composers including Lachner, Späth, Proch, Lindtpaintner and Kalliwoda.

Label: Signum Classics File Under: Classical/Opera & Vocal Catalogue No: SIGCD398 Barcode: 635212039823 NORMAL Price Format: 1 CD Packaging: cristal Elena Xanthoudakis [soprano] Jason Xanthoudakis [clarinet] Clemens Leske [piano]

Andreas SPATH: Alpenlied Conradin KREUTZER: Das Muehlenrad Heinrich PROCH: Schweitzer’s Heimweh, The Captive Nightingale* KALLIWODA: Heimatlied, Der Sennin Heimweh LACHNER: Seit ich Ihn gesehen, Er, der Herrlichste von allen* SCHUBERT: Romanze, Der Hirt auf dem Felsen Johann SOBECK: Meine Heimat Peter Joseph von LINDPAINTER: The Shepherd and the Mermaid* * World Premiere Recording ALSO AVAILABLE: SIGCD374 Jewels of the Bel Canto: Elena Xanthoudakis "This an outstanding debut album from a young singer who will hopefully attract a new generation of bel canto fans." 4.5 Stars, Limelight Magazine, July 2014 "It's a programme that has been thoughtfully put together, and Xanthoudakis demonstrates considerable mettle in delivering it so skilfully." Opera, August 2014

RELEASE DATE 22ND JANUARY 2016

BRAHMS:Piano Concerto No.1, Variations on a theme by Handel Claudio Arrau Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra Rafael Kubelik Having won particular fame as a great Beethoven interpreter, Claudio Arrau was no less celebrated for his Brahms. The first concerto he, of course recorded for Philips with Bernard and the Concertgebouw, with Giulini and the Philharmonia [EMI] and in a live recording with Kubelik from 1962 on Orfeo d'Or. Here he is accompanied by Bavarian Radio under KubelĂ­k with whom he had a particularly deep understanding.

Arrau's recital programmes included the Brahms Paganini and Handel variations as far back as the 1920's and while he continued featuring the Paganini variations for many years, he had a more enduring association with the Handel variations which was a staple of his recitals right through the 1960's, and which Donald Tovey appropriately ranked as one of "the half-dozen greatest sets of variations ever written."

Label: Praga Digitals File Under: Classical/Instrumental Catalogue No: DSD350068 Barcode: 3149028021325 NORMAL Price Format: 1 SACD Packaging: cristal Claudio Arrau [piano] Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra Rafael Kubelik

RELEASE DATE 22ND JANUARY 2016

SHOSTAKOVICH: A Ring for String Quartet [1966-70] String Quartets 10-13

Beethoven Quartet

Label: Praga Digitals File Under: Classical/Chamber music Catalogue No: PRD250318 Barcode: 3149028072426 NORMAL Price Format: 1 CD Packaging: cristal Beethoven Quartet: Dmitri Tsyganov, Nicolai Zabavnikov, Fyodor Druzhinin, Sergey Shirinsky

This string quartet tetralogy is the epitome of eloquence, progressing from the ‘golden age’ of Soviet realism with Quartet N° 10 Op.118, dominated by the viola, to the Weberian purity of Quartet N° 13 Op. 138, a haunting adagio also written for the viola.

The Beethoven Quartet was founded between 1922 and 1923 by graduates of the Moscow Conservatory. In 1931 they changed their name from the Moscow Conservatory Quartet to the Beethoven Quartet. From 1938 it collaborated closely with Shostakovich and premiered 13 of his 15 string quartets. He dedicated his third and fifth quartets to the Quartet, while later quartets were dedicated individually to the members: Quartet No. 11 to the memory of Vasily Shirinsky, Quartet No. 12 to Tsyganov, Quartet No. 13 to Borisovsky, and Quartet No. 14 to Sergei Shirinsky. The composer himself rehearsed, performed and recorded with the ensemble, and the Beethoven Quartet performances of the 15 Shostakovich quartets are still regarded as benchmarks against which to judge all others.

An admirable attempt at immortality, despite the rudimentary recording techniques of the time.

Mastered from stereo broadcast recordings 1966-71

RELEASE DATE 22ND JANUARY 2016

Scherben / Shards Ensemble Musikfabrik Sian Edwards Jonathan HARVEY: Sringara Chaconne for ensemble* Enno POPPE: Scherben for ensemble Kaija SAARIAHO: Notes on Light for violoncello and chamber ensemble* Emmanuel NUNES: Chessed I for ensemble (four groups)* * Premiere recording

Label: Wergo File Under: Classical/Instrumental Catalogue No: WER6862-2 Barcode: 4010228686227 NORMAL Price Format: 1 CD Packaging: digipack Ensemble Musikfabrik Peter Rundel, Stefan Asbury, Emilio PomĂ rico, Sian Edwards Dirk Wietheger [cello]

Love, light and breaking points – these are the topics of the new release of Edition Musikfabrik containing further important premieres from its WDR concert series. In his composition 'Chessed I', Emmanuel Nunes explores the issue of love in the sense of God's loving devotion towards mankind. Taking up cabbalistic thought, he transforms it into a meditation on the light. Light is also the central theme of 'Notes on Light' by Kaija Saariaho: her cello concerto gets down to the 'heart of light' where silence prevails. A different kind of love is the theme of Jonathan Harvey's 'Sringara Chaconne': According to Hindu belief, Sringara, or love, is the beginning of all art. Enno Poppe, on the other hand, focuses on the power of the prism: He presents his music in various refractions, in shards [Ger. 'Scherben']. For he knows that once the breaking points have been recognised, the connections are revealed automatically.

This time, the demanding artwork of the CD series is created with pictures by the painter Gerhard Richter, commenting on the thematic concentration of the programmes in an artistic manner. Richter, one of the most important living German artists, has been a member of the board of trustees of the Ensemble Musikfabrik since 2009.

RELEASE DATE 22ND JANUARY 2016

Dieter SCHNEBEL: Andante con Moto | A film by Susanne Elgeti Dieter Schnebel, composer and theologian, was born in 1930 and has become one of the foremost composers of contemporary music. Susanne Elgeti’s film is a sensitive portrait of this multi-faceted personality, vividly conveying Schnebel’s relationship to music, which resists all dogmatic restrictions. In the midst of the moving private situation he shared with his wife of many years, Iris Schnebel-Kaschnitz, we see the evolution of Schnebel’s latest large composition, 'Utopien'. The film gradually reveals not only the broad range of the composer’s music and ideas, but also provides insights into the personal challenges of old age.

An authentic look into the life and work of one of the most important participants in the musical developments of the 20th and 21st centuries.

BONUS: 20-minute interview with Dieter Schnebel Ca. 110 min | Deutsch | English subtitles | Stereo | DVD 9 | PAL | Country Code: 0

Label: Wergo File Under: Classical/Other Classical Catalogue No: MV0812-5 Barcode: 4010228081251 NORMAL Price Format: 1 DVD