The Carus Classics series feature outstanding CD productions from Carus’ past library of recordings. In the works introduced here, Schubert presents vocal chamber music as an independent genre. The male voice ensemble “Schubert hoch vier” – consisting of four internationally renowned Lied singers – together with Schubert specialist Thomas Seyboldt at the piano offered this unfortunately little regarded group of works with a masterful balance between ensemble spirit and soloistic expressivity.

Recorded as part of Carus' prizewinning "Liederprojekt" series, a charity project produced by Carus and Southwest German Radio that contributes profits to childrens' music education in Europe, this 3 CD set is an extraordinary collection of lullabies from Europa, America, Asia, Africa and Australia with selections that are at once deeply familiar to those that will delight with discovery for both the young and young at heart. With an impressive breadth of performers including Peter Schreier, Calmus Ensemble, Christian Gerhaher, Jonas Kaufmann and much more; it could be said this is the ultimate collection of lullabies that would complete any music library.

The distinguished baritone Randall Scarlata regularly performs the German song repertoire with pianists including Cameron Stowe, Jeremy Denk, Jonathan Biss, Inon Barnatan, Laura Ward and Gilbert Kalish. Mr. Scarlata is a regular guest with The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Chamber Music Northwest, and the Seattle Chamber Music Festival. Gilbert Kalish's profound influence on the musical community as pianist and educator has established him as a major figure in American music making. His recordings for Bridge Records include his memorable partnership with the mezzo-soprano Jan DeGaetani and a recent solo album of music by Schubert, Beethoven and Haydn. Here, he tackles a well-known favorite in the Lied repertoire: Franz Schubert’s Winterreise.

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REVIEW:

As a stirring and elevating musical experience, as opposed to one that is harrowing, I find Scarlata’s Winterreise utterly compelling. This is an alternative to performances that leave your nerves jangling, and I love it. I could listen to this man serenade me all day. Gilbert Kalish is equally wonderful.

– Fanfare

Evgeni Bohzanov invites you to a Voyage deep into the heart of German Musical Romanticism with this superb program combining moving transcriptions of works by Brahms and R. Strauss with Schubert's last sonata, one of the greatest masterpieces in music history. Born in 1984 in Bulgaria, Evgeni Bozhanov completed his studies in Essen and Dusseldorf with Professor Georg Friedrich Schenck. His international career launched following top prizes at international competitions including the Sviatoslav Richter International Piano Competition in Moscow, Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels, Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth, Texas, and International Chopin Competition in Warsaw. He has appeared as a soloist with orchestras including the National Orchestra of Belgium, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and others.