American-born soprano Jill Feldman has for many years been a leading artist in the field of medieval, baroque and classical period performance, recording with many of the early music movement’s leading figures. Originally released in 1991, ‘Udite Amanti’, a selection of some of the greatest 17th c. Italian music ever written, is now re-issued as part of Linn’s ECHO series. Ms. Feldman’s highly expressive style combines vocal agility with close attention to the dramatic content, beauty and textual meaning. The renowned musician Nigel North provides accompaniment on lute and theorbo.

Classical Music

The greatly sought-after tenor James Gilchrist pairs with pianist Anna Tilbrook to continue his highly acclaimed exploration of British song with a new recording of Benjamin Britten works. As stated by the times following his work with Finzi, Leighton, Vaughan Williams, Gurney, Bliss, and Herbert, "As an interpreter of English song, Gilchrist is often in a class by himself."

Piano Icons for the 21st Century' is an exceptionally performed collection of contemporary piano works by P�rt, Jan�cek, Sculthorpe and Mompou, plus a world premiere recording of Tavener's Ypako�. Originally released in 2000 'Piano Icons for the 21st Century' has been re-issued as part of Linn's ECHO series which offers a second chance to enjoy the best of the label's award-winning catalogue. The recording was widely acclaimed upon it's release and named a Gramophone 'Critics' Choice': 'my disc of 2000 is without hesitation Elena Riu's extraordinarily fine CD.' John Tavener was inspired to write his first major solo work for piano in over twenty years after hearing Elena play. She premiered Ypako�, a series of meditations on the death of Jesus, at the City of London Festival. The recital also includes Jan�cek's in the Mist, an intensely personal and darkly hued cycle, plus an intriguing collection of miniatures by three composers who, in her view, are on a similar wavelength: Peter Sculthorpe, the Catalan composer Federico Mompou, and Arvo P�rt. As a leading exponent of the Spanish piano repertoire, Riu has championed the music of Mompou around the world and gave the Mompou Centenary Concert at Wigmore Hall, London. Hispano-American pianist Elena Riu is an inspiring artist renowned for the intimacy and lyricism of her playing. A born communicator, Riu's enthusiasm and charm create a unique atmosphere in the concert hall, captivating audiences throughout the world. The haunting sensitivity and strength of her playing, an innate liveliness together with a vibrant combination of poetry and lyricism and unique programming flair has placed Riu at the forefront of a new generation of British artists. Riu has toured extensively and has performed at Montpellier Festival, Walt Disney Hall and festivals in Kenya, Venezuela, Argentina, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Scandinavia and France.

"Originally released in 1987, ‘Nice Work’ features a spectrum of standards from the Great American Songbook The song list is chosen with Carol’s characteristic good taste; several Gershwin favourites are interspersed amongst neglected but estimable material From the beginning of Carol's career, her albums were extremely well received"

This celebratory collection of music by the late John Tavener brings together performances by Canty, The Wallace Collection, Scottish Ensemble and Elena Riu. Tavener wrote ...Depart in Peace… following his father’s passing. Trisagion was premiered by John Wallace in 1985, and later recorded with his own ensemble, The Wallace Collection. Written especially for them, Canty gave the world-premiere recording of Two Hadiths. The title work Ypakoë, a series of meditations on the death of Jesus, premiered on Elena Riu’s ‘Piano Icons for the 21st Century’, a Gramophone ‘Critics’ Choice’ in 2000.

"• Barb Jungr's original take on the songs of Jacques Brel marked her Linn debut • Originally released in 2000, now re-issued as part of Linn’s ECHO series • Ms. Jungr opted to use specially commissioned translations for her English language renditions • Ms. Jungr has won numerous accolades with many industry critics considering her to be the finest songstylist in Britain. • Her acclaimed releases and 'revelatory' live performances have brought her to audiences all around the world."

Under the directorship of Jonathan Morton, Scottish Ensemble adds the Tchaikovsky Serenade, regarded by the composer as one of his finest works, to it's impressive Linn discography. Imbued with the classical spirit of Mozart, but with Tchaikovsky's style to the fore, the Serenade contains some strikingly effective scoring and an exhilarating Finale the ensemble relishes. SE brings the same level of precision and finish you would expect from a string quartet; this is particularly evident in the elegiac third movement, one of Tchaikovsky's most inspired musical moments. This recording also marks the premiere of Jonathan Morton's 2013 transcription of Shostakovich's Quartet No. 2. Drawn to the work's large, epic scale and the richness of it's sound-world, Morton was keen for the ensemble to tackle this masterpiece from the chamber repertoire. With his arrangement Morton adds to SE's enviable reputation for Shostakovich transcriptions established by the late Rudolph Barshai. Re-defining the string orchestra, Scottish Ensemble inspires audiences with vibrant and powerful performances. Scottish Ensemble is the UK's only professional string orchestra, built around a core of twelve outstanding string players. The ensemble is known both in the UK and internationally for it's versatility and ambitious programming. Performing standing up, the individual layers bring an energetic and passionate dynamic to every performance.

Noted for his clarity of line and purity of tone, pianist Gottlieb Wallisch focuses on Franz Joseph Haydn’s London period for his fourth Linn recording. +The famed London Sonatas can be seen as the distillation of the composer’s entire sonata-writing experience. +Mr. Wallisch won the ‘Joseph Haydn Prize’ as well as first prize at the prestigious Stravinsky Awards at age 16, thus launching his international career. +"His playing is a thing of rare beauty and a joy to behold." - Fanfare

In a passionate and emotionally gripping recording, Scottish Ensemble performs Shostakovich's deeply personal Chamber Symphony, a transcription by Rudolf Barshai of the composer's monument to 'the victims of fascism and war'. Originally released in 2000 'Shostakovich: Chamber Symphony' has been re-issued as part of Linn's ECHO series which offers a second chance to enjoy the best of the label's award-winning catalogue. The Chamber Symphony is a gripping portrayal of the brutality of con?ict. It's jagged, dynamic rhythms in the central sections are contrasted by elegiac outer movements that never fail to move the listener. In contrast the Piano Concerto is one of the most exuberant examples of Shostakovich's wonderfully subversive sense of humour. Sophia Rahman and John Wallace are the highly accomplished soloists who excel in this repertoire. The programme concludes with the rarely heard Two pieces for string octet which includes the feverishly brilliant Scherzo. Re-defining the string orchestra, Scottish Ensemble inspires audiences with vibrant and powerful performances. Scottish Ensemble is the UK's only professional string orchestra, built around a core of twelve outstanding string players. The ensemble is known both in the UK and internationally for it's versatility and ambitious programming. Performing standing up, the individual layers bring an energetic and passionate dynamic to every performance.

Classical Music

"Presenting an eclectic variety of songs demonstrating Claire’s vocal talents Originally released in 2000, this album saw Claire Martin lead the jazz world into pop-crossover territory before Norah Jones and Madeleine Peyroux made this style an accepted genre. Claire Martin has been a driving force behind the UK jazz scene for the past 25 years Co-presenter, Jazz Line-Up, on BBC Radio 3 since 2000."

John Mark Ainsley's clever program highlights the connections of four of the best songwriters of modern day: Britten, Poulenc, Heggie, and Berkeley. This variety in repertoire showcases the range, expression, vocal color, and understanding of text of this talented artist. Malcolm Martineau accompanies Ainsley, and is the dedicatee of Heggie's Friendly Persuasions. Ainsley and Martineau premiered the work in 2008 at Wigmore Hall, London. John Mark Ainsley has appeared alongside the world's greatest orchestras, and is a visiting professor at the Royal Academy of Music.

This recording is a celebration of the famous Johann Sebastian and ten other lesser-known Bachs, re-imagined for trumpet and piano. Bach specialist Daniel-Ben Pienaar arranged music from a great uncle, close cousins, distant cousins, and five sons, all related to the great J. S. Bach in a unique recital program.

Classical Music