A super showcase album of piano and chamber music from talented Swedish composer Östlund, performed by a select group of leading young European performers. Evoking the magic of night in all its guises from the dark to the whimsical this always lyrical and accessible new music has an individual sound and is exceptionally attractive. Some works include wordless voices from the soprano.
Genre: Instrumental
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Burkard Schliessmann – Chronological Chopin
For this album, Schliessmann received a Silver Medal in the 2017 Global Music Awards A potential (definite!) Collector’s item for the future, is this wonderful recital by leading German pianist Burkard Schliessmann, who presents Chopin’s musical development through a chronological programme including the 24 Preludes, Op. 28, the complete Scherzi and Ballades and other works, in stunning high-definition audio. This triple SACD set is in 5-channel audio, but is fully compatible with all normal CD players. In two channel sound in digital download.
Schliessmann is the perfect interpreter of Chopin, bringing out the inner character of the pieces. A landmark recording.
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Mersenne’s Clavichord
Not one example of an original French clavichord survives. The instrument played on this historically important recording is a new construction following the specifications published by Marin Mersenne in the 17th century. It’s therefore the only example of how early French keyboard music may have actually sounded to the first audiences. A range of works from the 16th and 17th centuries are presented, all French except the well known Toccata by Sweelinck, whose music was prevalent around France at the time.
Also by Terence Charlston is The Harmonious Thuringian (DDA 25122).
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Roman Statkowski: Piano Music
One of the most brilliant successors to the Romantic genres popularised by Chopin, yet hardly known outside Poland, Statkowski’s music is full of sparkling energy, rhythmic vitality and a mass of wonderful melodies. For anyone who loves the classical romanticism of the mid to late 19th century, Statkowski is a composer to be checked out and investigated in depth.
The virtuoso Polish pianist Barbara Karaskiewicz has championed Statkowski’s music for some time, and has a close affinity with the music. With formidable technique in the glittering fast passages she is the ideal interpreter.
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John R. Williamson – Music for Piano, Volumes 1-3
The music of John R. Williamson, a composer from Manchester, England, is deserving of greater recognition. Murray McLachlan is a champion of Williamson’s music and presents three albums in which his stylistic and virtuosic playing enhances further the individuality of these works.
Includes the following:
- John R. Williamson Music for Piano, Vol. 1
- John R. Williamson Music for Piano, Vol. 2
- John R. Williamson Music for Piano, Vol. 3
Digital downloads include all three booklet in PDF format.
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Schubert: The Unauthorised Piano Duos, Volume 3
A fascinating and historically consequential recording, which follows the enthusiastic praise of the earlier volumes in this intriguing series. Here, we have firstly the world premiere recording of the ‘Death and the Maiden’ Quartet, transcribed by Robert Franz, better known for his lieder and who was almost contemporary with Schubert (he was 18 years younger).
Even more exciting is the first ever recording of the transcribed version of the ‘Unfinished’ Symphony – but also in its complete new 2014) performing edition; the first two movements were transcribed by Schubert’s friend Hüttenbrenner; the third completed from Schubert’s part-finished movement by Anthony Goldstone, and the finale (also known as the Entracte from Rosamunde), transcribed by Friedrich Hermann with further adaptations by Anthony Goldstone. Essential listening.
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Charles Avison: Collected Concerti Grossi & Keyboard Sonatas
The Avison Ensemble with Pavlo Beznosiuk & Caroline Balding (violin), Gary Cooper (harpsichord), Robert Howarth (harpsichord & chest organ)
25% off the price of individual purchases!
5 Double CD sets comprising:- DDA 21210 Concerti Grossi after Geminiani
- DDA 21211 12 Concerti Grossi, Opp. 9 & 10
- DDA 21213 Concerti Grossi after Scarlatti
- DDA 21214 Keyboard and Trio Sonatas, Opp.1 & 8
- DDA 21215 Harpsichord Sonatas, Opp. 5 & 7
Award winning and highly praised recordings of wonderful baroque music: all but DDA21213 are first-ever recordings
All downloads include booklets in PDF format. -
Handel: Suites for Harpsichord, Vol. 3
Acknowledged without reservation as the greatest composer working in England in the 18th century, Georg Frideric Handel is revered worldwide as a master composer. His Harpsichord Suites are among the finest instrumental works of the period, we are privileged to present exquisite performances by Gilbert Rowland, one of Europe’s foremost harpsichordists. The first two volumes received very positive press reviews and this third and final installment will not disappoint in the splendid playing and excellent instrument.
More details for Volume One and Volume Two.
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Schubert Piano Masterworks, vols 1-3 (discount set)
ANTHONY GOLDSTONE
All three volumes of the Schubert Piano Masterworks;
Superb recordings, critically acclaimed, by one the foremost Schubert interpreters, and all with a 25% discount if you buy all three together.
(Digital downloads include all the booklets in PDF format)Explore the volumes:
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Cantilena II – flute and piano
The flute and piano duo Cantilena, made up of flautist Odinn Baldvinsson and pianist Patricia Romero, are based in the UK and are establishing a fine reputation since the release of their debut CD (also eponymous), for a wide range of repertoire, mainly Romantic, both popular and less well known. So on this superb album, we have the beautiful Concertino of Chaminade, and Dutilleux’s Sonatine, both quite well known; the Suite by Widor is a little known piece by a composer more famed for his organ music and is very much in the French Romantic mould: also exquisite is the rare Sonata by Georgian composer Taktakishvili; finally Piazzolla’s Histoire du Tango – a very well known piece but amazingly this is its first ever recording in the version for flute and piano.
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J S Bach: Keyboard Concertos
The Bach Keyboard Concertos are cornerstones of the baroque repertoire, for performance both on modern instruments as here, or on ‘authentic period’ fortepianos, harpsichords or clavichords. Maltese pianist Lucia Micallef is lauded wherever she performs for crisp, articulate phrasing and nuance and this shows through clearly in this beautifully balanced and lively performance. The EUCO under Brian Schembri shine and support perfectly. Among the hundreds of recordings made of these works, this one has a freshness that will make it stand out for a very long time.
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From the British Isles – music for flute and piano
The third in a series of albums by this leading flute and piano duo (and their seventh recording for Divine Art) in which we welcome back some iconic recordings previously issued by ASV (and long unavailable) together with some new recordings; this 2 CD set at mid price has several major works by British and Irish composers, from the early 18th to the late 20th century. As ever the duo demonstrate both remarkable virtuosity and also super musicality and depth in these mainly ‘Romantic’ works. The set is provided in luxury packaging at no extra cost, with detailed notes on the music. From the funfilled quirky and jazz-inflected Sonata by Malcolm Arnold through more ‘serious’ pieces by Leighton and Mathias, back to the late baroque sonata of John Ranish, this program is a perfect compilation of lyrical music for flute and piano.
