Janet Perry – German and French Songs
Artists: 
Description
What do these enigmatic words mean…? I believe that it takes a lifetime of loving music to know.
Thinking back on my own life, classical music has truly made me who I am today. It has been a constant companion since my earliest childhood, and, whilst many may recall certain toys or birthday parties, my first memories all include music. My home was always filled with the sound of someone practicing or a marvellous radio broadcast. Everyone in our immediate family was musical, and neighbours who passed by our house always heard some kind of instrument or voice floating out through the windows. It was just a normal part of our everyday life.
When I was two, I received a Christmas present that would have a profound impact on my childhood: it was a book called “Mozart the Wonder Boy”. For some strange reason, little Wolferl (Wolfgang) and his sister Nannerl (Marianne) became my dearest fantasy playmates, and aspiring to become an accomplished musician (like they were), soon became a very cool thing for me. My mother was the first to introduce me to his works by singing me lieder and arias, while accompanying herself on the piano. Standing there by her side with my pigtails and all, I was so profoundly moved by the beauty of his melodies, that something inside me knew right away that I would never want that feeling to go away. Although we weren’t “well off’, seeing my growing passion for music, somehow my parents always managed to provide the right things to improve my artistic skills, including lessons in piano, violin, ballet, drama, and voice. My love for Mozart and his early genius grew year after year, and was a constant inspiration to me throughout my youth. It was this small seed that two decades later led to an international singing career and to the Mozart songs on this CD.
At the Curtis Institute of Music I had the privilege to live amongst some of the most talented musicians of my generation, and to get to know and perform many works of the great masters with them. My voice had not reached maturity yet, but the timbre and vocal range held a promise of the roles I would sing in the future. I was very lucky to work with teachers and coaches who respected my young voice, and didn’t push me into unsuitable repertoire. Thanks to this I was able to maintain the youth in my voice throughout my career, and to discover new facets of the same pieces year after year.
The songs of Mozart, Debussy, Faurè, Duparc, and Strauss have been in my repertoire for a long time, we are old friends who enjoy music – and the silence between the notes, together.
Special thanks to Jean Lemaire, my partner in many Lied projects, with his valuable insights as to repertoire and interpretation, and ready for the unexpected. I thank him for introducing me to Hubert Haas, who convinced us to let him produce this recital recording.
Tracklist
| 1 | Dans un bois solitaire | 2:35 | W. A. Mozart |
| 2 | Oiseaux, si tous les ans | 1:23 | W. A. Mozart |
| 3 | Das Veilchen | 2:17 | W. A. Mozart |
| 4 | Abendempfindung | 4:29 | W. A. Mozart |
| 5 | Kornblumen | 1:46 | Richard Strauss |
| 6 | Mohnblumen | 1:11 | Richard Strauss |
| 7 | Epheu | 2:44 | Richard Strauss |
| 8 | Wasserrose | 3:28 | Richard Strauss |
| 9 | Glocken von Marling | 2:26 | Franz List |
| 10 | Es muss ein Wunderbares sein | 1:32 | Franz List |
| 11 | O quand je dors | 4:05 | Franz List |
| 12 | Chanson d’ amour | 1:57 | Gabriel Fauré |
| 13 | Clair de lune | 2:47 | Gabriel Fauré |
| 14 | Notre amour | 1:47 | Gabriel Fauré |
| 15 | L’ Invitation au voyage | 3:59 | Henri Duparc |
| 16 | Soupir | 2:44 | Henri Duparc |
| 17 | Ranz du Vacher d’ Appenzell | 3:17 | Ciacomo Meyerbeer |
| 18 | Phidylé | 5:26 | Henri Duparc |
| 19 | La Romance d’ Ariel | 4:37 | Claude Debussy |
| 20 | Romance | 2:10 | Claude Debussy |
| 21 | Pierrot | 1:27 | Claude Debussy |
| 22 | Fantoches | 1:13 | Claude Debussy |
| 23 | Fleur Jetée | 1:27 | Gabriel Fauré |
Sinfonieorchester Basel – Igor Strawinsky – “Pétrouchka
Artists: Sinfonieorchester Basel
Title: Igor Strawinsky – “Pétrouchka (Originalversion from 1911)” – Version for Orchestra and for Piano Four Hands
Catalogue No.: SOB11
Release: 03.06.2016
Description
Originally planned as a Piano Concerto, Stravinsky rewrote the music about the Russian carnival figure Petrushka into a ballet, following an idea of ballet impresario Sergei Diaghilev. When the oevre was performed on 13 June 1911 at the Théâtre du Châtelet, it was almost unanimously hailed as a fascinating synthesis of the art of music, dance and painting, and a milestone in the development of a genuinely modern ballet. Parallel to the orchestra score Stravinsky created a piano version; primarily used for studies and rehearsals. Recently, however, also the four-hand piano version gained increasing popularity in the concert hall.
Dennis Russell Davies is since 2009 chief conductor of the Sinfonieorchester Basel. In addition to numerous other recordings the Stravinsky trilogy originated under his conductorship. Dennis Russell Davies recorded all three Stravinsky piano versions with his partner Maki Namekawa.
Tracklist
| Pétrouchka (orchestral version) | |
| I Fete poulaire | 5:53 |
| Le Tour de Passe-Passe | 1:41 |
| Danse Russe | 2:55 |
| 10:29 | |
| II Chez Pétrouchka | 4:33 |
| 4:33 | |
| III Chez le Maure | 3:04 |
| Danse de la Balerine | 0:43 |
| Valse | 2:12 |
| Le Maure et la Bellerine/Apparition de Pétrouchka | 1:01 |
| 7:00 | |
| IV Fete populaire de Semaine Grasse | 1:09 |
| Danse des Nounous | 5:02 |
| Danse des Cochers et de Palefreniers | 2:04 |
| Les Deguises | 5:23 |
| 13:38 | |
| Pétrouchka (piano version) | |
| I Fete poulaire | 5:56 |
| Le Tour de Passe-Passe | 2:14 |
| Danse Russe | 3:09 |
| 11:19 | |
| II Chez Pétrouchka | 4:49 |
| 4:49 | |
| III Chez le Maure | 3:03 |
| Danse de la Balerine | 0:45 |
| Valse | 2:13 |
| Le Maure et la Bellerine/Apparition de Pétrouchka | 1:11 |
| 7:12 | |
| IV Fete populaire de Semaine Grasse | 1:25 |
| Danse des Nounous | 5:55 |
| Danse des Cochers et de Palefreniers | 2:19 |
| Les Deguises | 5:51 |
| 15:30 |
Rick Del Castillo – Dear Sir or Madam
Description
After moving to Austin in 1995 my younger brother Mark and I formed Del Castillo in 2000. Our band was a fiery blend of old world Gypsy Flamenco meets Rock n Roll. It was here where we met film director Robert Rodriguez. We soon formed a movie band called Chingon blending Del Castillo’s raw energy with Rodriguez’s explosive films; a match made in heaven. Throughout all this I kept my early British musical influences tucked in my back pocket, primarily The Beatles, Queen, ELO, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and David Bowie (Hunky Dory period). The Beatles however set the bar for the rest listed. Their melodies were second to none. I’ve been writing British style songs for some time but it was recently that I decided to make a video for my song “Paul McCartney” and make it a personal goal to have him hear it and possibly even meet the man. These five songs are an amalgamation of my British heroes listed above and pay tribute to their incredible originality and their influence on me.
Rick del Castillo
Tracklist
| 1 | Paul McCartney | 4:01 | Rick del Castillo |
| 2 | Never | 2:42 | Rick del Castillo |
| 3 | What I Feel | 2:52 | Rick del Castillo |
| 4 | I’d Like To Let You Know | 3:54 | Rick del Castillo |
| 5 | Letter To God | 3:59 | Rick del Castillo |
Christian Erny – Piano works by Liszt and Debussy
Artists: Christian Erny
Title: Les parfums, les couleurs et les sons se répondent… Piano works by Liszt and Debussy
Catalogue No.: SM 238
Release: 29.04.2016
Description
The programme’s central theme is encapsulated in the words “Les parfums, les couleurs et les sons se répondent …”, anextract from the poem “Correspondances” in Charles Baudelaire’s Les Fleurs du malcollection, which Debussy esteemed extremely highly and parts of which he set to music.
This programme presents also four works of Franz Liszt: the introduction is made up of two of the Années de pèlerinage – Deuxième année – Italiefrom his middle period; in the course of the programme, there follow two late works, both of which Debussy admired: Unstern! forms a commentative interpolation in the middle of the Debussy cycle; the nocturne En rêveends the musical journey by returning us to the contemplative mood of the opening number.
Tracklist
| Années de pèlerinage – Deuxième année – Italie | Franz Liszt (1811-1886) | |
| Sposalizio | 8:03 | Franz Liszt |
| Il penseroso | 4:07 | Franz Liszt |
| Préludes – Premier livre | Claude Debussy (1862-1918) | |
| Danseuses de Delphes | 3:21 | Claude Debussy |
| Voiles | 4:06 | Claude Debussy |
| Le vent dans la pleine | 2:14 | Claude Debussy |
| «Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l’air du soir…» | 4:01 | Claude Debussy |
| Les collines d’Anacapri | 3:31 | Claude Debussy |
| Des pas sur la neige | 4:21 | Claude Debussy |
| Ce qu’a vu le vent d’ouest | 3:52 | Claude Debussy |
| Unstern! Sinistre, disastro | Franz Liszt (1811-1886) | |
| Unstern! Sinistre, disastro | 4:54 | Franz Liszt |
| Prèludes – Premier livre | Claude Debussy (1862-1918) | |
| La fille aux cheveux de lin | 2:42 | Claude Debussy |
| La serenade interrompue | 2:54 | Claude Debussy |
| La cathédrale engloutie | 6:06 | Claude Debussy |
| La danse de puck | 3:11 | Claude Debussy |
| Minstrels | 2:49 | Claude Debussy |
| En rêve | Franz Liszt (1811-1886) | |
| En rêve | 2:51 | Franz Liszt |
Thomas Ragossnig – J.S. Bach: Inventionen und Sinfonien
Artists: Thomas Ragossnig
Title: J.S. Bach: Inventionen und Sinfonien BWV 772-801
Catalogue No.: SM 236
Release: 29.04.2016
Description
The 1723 fair copy of both the Inventions and the Sinfonias has the keys ordered according to the ascending scale (C major / C minor; D major / D minor etc.). There is however no compelling reason to perform them that way; there are musically more meaningful and attractive sequences.
Thomas Ragossnig presents one of them on this CD for the first time. He mixes the Inventions and Sinfonias in the same key and performs them in groups of two or four.
The result is a musically exciting sequence of Inventions and Sinfonias that gives the listener the opportunity to linger longer in each key, as in a Baroque suite.
Thomas Ragossnig zestfully interprets the various musical affections in these miniatures, so that these complex works function as a musically meaningful and stimulating cycle and not only as “contrapuntal references”.
Tracklist
| 1 | Inventio 1 C-Dur, BWV 772 | 1:16 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 2 | Inventio 2 c-moll, BWV 773 | 2:07 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 3 | Sinfonia 1 C-Dur, BWV 787 | 1:10 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 4 | Sinfonia 2 c-moll, BWV 788 | 2:05 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 5 | Sinfonia 8 F-Dur, BWV 794 | 1:14 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 6 | Inventio 9 f-moll, BWV 789 | 2:08 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 7 | Sinfonia 9 f-moll, BWV 795 | 3:20 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 8 | Inventio 8 F-Dur, BWV 779 | 1:00 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 9 | Inventio 14 B-Dur, BWV 785 | 1:31 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 10 | Sinfonia 14 B-Dur, BWV 800 | 2:01 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 11 | Inventio 5 Es-Dur, BWV 776 | 1:39 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 12 | Sinfonia 5 Es-Dur, BWV 791 | 3:13 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 13 | Inventio 11 g-moll, BWV 782 | 1:48 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 14 | Sinfonia 10 G-Dur, BWV 796 | 1:09 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 15 | Sinfonia 11 g-moll, BWV 797 | 2:30 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 16 | Inventio 10 G-Dur, BWV 781 | 0:56 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 17 | Inventio 3 D-Dur, BWV 774 | 1:07 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 18 | Sinfonia 3 D-Dur, BWV 789 | 1:17 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 19 | Inventio 4 d-moll, BWV 775 | 0:55 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 20 | Sinfonia 4 d-moll, BWV 790 | 1:52 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 21 | Sinfonia 12 A-Dur, BWV 798 | 1:32 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 22 | Sinfonia 13 a-moll, BWV 799 | 1:53 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 23 | Inventio 13 a-moll, BWV 784 | 1:06 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 24 | Inventio 12 A-Dur, BWV 783 | 1:22 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 25 | Inventio 7 e-moll, BWV 778 | 1:42 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 26 | Sinfonia 6 E-Dur, BWV 792 | 1:26 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 27 | Sinfonia 7 e-moll, BWV 793 | 2:37 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 28 | Inventio 6 E-Dur, BWV 777 | 3:23 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 29 | Inventio 15 h-moll, BWV 786 | 1:13 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
| 30 | Sinfonia 15 h-moll, BWV 801 | 1:27 | Johann Sebastian Bach |
Liv Migdal – Acht Jahreszeiten
Artists: Description
The existing literature on Vivaldi may take up a great deal of archive space, but that mass of paper seems insignificant in comparison with the power of the music itself. Now, in the 21st century, the work has successfully completed its progressive path to globalisation, having found its way into every corner of the planet, albeit often immersed in a variety of crossover sounds.It might be said that Vivaldi’s “Spring” theme is inevitably implanted in our minds from the day we draw our first breaths, or perhaps even in our mother’s womb before birth.Between 1965 and 1969 Piazzolla composed a cycle of four compositions, Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas for a quintet comprising a violin, electric guitar, piano, double bass and bandoneon. This work is a fusion of artistic initiatives, combining the fundamental traits of jazz, classical works and Afro-Hispanic music.
Liv Migdal started her studies as an eleven-year-old protégée at the Rostock College of Music and Drama under the tuition of Christiane Hutcap. She graduated with distinctionthere. She continued her musical training at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, where she attended the master class of Igor Ozim and completed her master’s programme with distinction. In 2015, she was honoredinSalzburgwith the”Paul-Roczek Award” for her outstandingviolin play.
Tracklist
| La Primavera op. 8 No. 1 | Antonio Vivaldi | |
| I. Allegro | 03:19 | Antonio Vivaldi |
| II. Largo e pianissimo | 02:20 | Antonio Vivaldi |
| III. Allegro | 03:56 | Antonio Vivaldi |
| L´Estate op. 8 No. 2 | Antonio Vivaldi | |
| I. Allegro mà non molto | 04:41 | Antonio Vivaldi |
| II. Adagio | 01:48 | Antonio Vivaldi |
| III. Allegro | 02:58 | Antonio Vivaldi |
| L´Autunno op. 8 No. 3 | Antonio Vivaldi | |
| I. Allegro | 04:44 | Antonio Vivaldi |
| II. Adagio molto | 02:57 | Antonio Vivaldi |
| III. Allegro | 03:23 | Antonio Vivaldi |
| L´Inverno op. 8 No. 4 | Antonio Vivaldi | |
| I. Allegro non molto | 03:29 | Antonio Vivaldi |
| II. Largo | 01:43 | Antonio Vivaldi |
| III. Allegro | 03:15 | Antonio Vivaldi |
| Las Cuatro Estaciones Porteñas | Astor Piazzolla | |
| Primavera Portena – Allegro | 06:16 | Astor Piazzolla |
| Verano Porteno – Allegro | 06:39 | Astor Piazzolla |
| Otono Porteno | 07:56 | Astor Piazzolla |
| Invierno Porteno – Andante moderato | 07:24 | Astor Piazzolla |
Josef Hofbauer – My Favorite Trumpet Concertos
Artists: Josef Hofbauer
Title: My Favorite Trumpet Concertos
Catalogue No.: SM 234
Release: 04.03.2016
Description
“With this CD I devote myself to a journey with the Schönbrunn Festival Orchestra. A journey through various music genres and their trumpet concertos. It is also a journey through my past…. Each concerto we recorded for this CD has its own story in my past – thus My Favourite Trumpet Concertos” – Josef Hofbauer
Tracklist
| Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra | Alexander Harutyunyan | ||
| 1 | I. Andante | 08:30 | Alexander Harutyunyan |
| 2 | II. Meno Mosso | 03:10 | Alexander Harutyunyan |
| 3 | III. Tempo I | 02:44 | Alexander Harutyunyan |
| Concerto for Trumpet & Strings | Robert Planel | ||
| 4 | I. Largement – Animè et bien rythmè | 04:42 | Robert Planel |
| 5 | II. Lent et très calme | 04:30 | Robert Planel |
| 6 | III. Vivace – Gai et lèger | 05:26 | Robert Planel |
| Concerto for Trumpet & Strings in D Major | Giuseppe Torelli | ||
| 7 | I. Allegro | 02:00 | Giuseppe Torelli |
| 8 | II. Adagio – Presto – Adagio | 02:30 | Giuseppe Torelli |
| 9 | III. Allegro | 02:06 | Giuseppe Torelli |
| Concerto for Trumpet & Strings in E flat Major | Jan Krtitel Jiri Neruda | ||
| 10 | I. Allegro | 05:20 | Jan Krtitel Jiri Neruda |
| 11 | II. Largo | 04:32 | Jan Krtitel Jiri Neruda |
| 12 | III. Vivace | 04:36 | Jan Krtitel Jiri Neruda |
| Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra in E flat Major | Joseph Haydn | ||
| 13 | I. Allegro | 06:26 | Joseph Haydn |
| 14 | II. Andante | 03:27 | Joseph Haydn |
| 15 | III. Allegro Rondo | 04:49 | Joseph Haydn |
| 16 | Libertango (Arrangement: Guido Mancusi) | 05:02 | Astor Piazzolla |
| 17 | Gabriel’s Oboe | 03:11 | Ennio Morricone |
Sinfonieorchester Basel – L’Oiseau de feu
Description
All of the three ballets will be presented in the version for orchestra as well as in the version for piano four hands. Unlike for Sacre and Pétrouchka, for L’Oiseau de feu there is no piano arrangement for four hands by Stravinsky himself. Dennis Russell Davies, Principal Conductor of the Sinfonieorchester Basel and pianist has therefore arranged a version for piano four hands – exclusively for this production. The new arrangement is based on the original piano arrangement for two hands by Stravinsky, which is kept in the Paul Sacher Foundation in Basel. Dennis Russell Davies has recorded the arrangement together with his wife Maki Namekawa.
The piano version opens up new perspectives on the orchestra version of L’Oiseau de feu and underlines the compositional value of Stravinsky’s creation.
Tracklist
“L’Oiseau de feu” (The Firebird)
– Version for Orchestra
Sinfonieorchester Basel
– Version for Piano Four Hands
Dennis Russell Davies– Maki Namekawa
Ensemble Raro – Lived & Dreamed – Erlebtes & Erträumtes
Artists: Ensemble Raro
Title: Lived & Dreamed – Erlebtes & Ertraeumtes
Catalogue No.: SM222
Release: 30.10.2015
Description
The three of them also shared an enthusiastic interest in old national traditions, among them the great treasure trove of fairy tales and the wealth of folk melodies and rhythms. Perhaps fairy tales and dreams can help us to endure reality, because they place it in a vast continuum and because individual suffering then becomes part of a greater whole from which no-one is excluded. If that is true, then the music presented here really ought to be available on prescription.
Ensemble Raro was formed in 2004 by four extraordinary young musicians: pianist Diana Ketler, violinist Alexander Sitkovetsky, violist Razvan Popovici and cellist Bernhard Naoki Hedenborg. Their goal is to create unforgettable musical moments and to combine innovative approach with rich European tradition of intimate and sincere chamber music making. In 2011 the Ensemble Raro welcomed new members: violinists Alina Pogostkina and Erik Schumann, clarinetist Thorsten Johanns, hornist Olivier Darbellay and cellist Julian Arp.
Tracklist
| Quartett für Klavier, Violine, Viola und Violoncello a-moll op. 1 |
21’37 |
| I. Allegro appassionato | 6’44 |
| II. Adagio | 7’25 |
| III. Allegro con fuco | 7’22 |
| Quartett Nr. 1 D-Dur, op. 23 für Violine, Viola, Violoncello und Klavier |
35’39 |
| Allegro moderato | 15’29 |
| Andantino e Variazioni | 12’17 |
| Finale. Allegretto scherzando | 7’47 |
| “Märchen” (Pohádka) für Violoncello und Klavier |
12’45 |
| I. Con moto | 5’21 |
| II. Con moto | 4’23 |
| III. Allegro | 2’57 |
| aus “Erlebtes und Erträumtes” für Klavier op. | 6’16 |
| “Den vergessenen Grabhügeln auf unserem Dorffriedhofe” | 6’16 |
| Total | 76:43:00 |
Stradivari Quartett – Mozart – Preussische Quartette
Artists: Stradivari Quartett
Title: Mozart – Preussische Quartette
Catalogue No.: SM230
Release: 18.09.2015
Description
Since its debut in the Zurich Tonhalle in September 2007, the Stradivari Quartet has made a name for itself as an ensemble of great promise and become one of the leading Swiss string quartets. Some thirty performances a year take the Stradivari Quartet to venues all over the world. Highlights include appearances at the Wigmore Hall in London, the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Kioi Hall in Tokyo, the Shanghai Oriental Hall and the National Center for Performing Arts in Beijing, as well as such prestigious events as the Lucerne Festival, the Bad Kissingen Summer Festival, the Rheingau Music Festival, the Rubinstein Piano Festival in Lódz, the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival and the Stradivari Festival in Cremona.
The Stradivari Quartet is among the few ensembles in the world performing exclusively on instruments of the famous violin maker Antonio Stradivari. Each of the four instruments has its own history and some have travelled far and wide. They are today all in the possession of the Habisreutinger Foundation and are on loan to the Stradivari Quartet.
Tracklist
| 1. I. Allegretto – Stradivari Quartett |
| 2. Ii. Andante |
| 3. Iii. Menuetto. Allegretto |
| 4. Iv. Allegretto |
| 5. I. Allegro – Stradivari Quartett |
| 6. Ii. Larghetto |
| 7. Iii. Menuetto. Moderato |
| 8. Iv. Allegro Assai |
| 9. I. Allegro Moderato – Stradivari Quartett |
| 10. Ii. Andante |
| 11. Iii. Menuetto. Allegretto |
| 12. Iv. Allegro |