Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Luigi Nono’s late style, a world of sharply-etched, strikingly sparse sound forms set against a background of silence, made a deep impression on the younger Wolfgang Rihm, whose works from the mid-80s onwards show clearly the imprint of the Italian master’s visionary clarity. + This recording of works for differing ensembles of solo voices shows another commonly held trait: passionate engagement with their fellow human beings, giving rise to a music of searing and shocking directness. + This new disc features music that has been a part of the EXAUDI ensemble’s lifeblood since its foundation.

"On Easter Day, 1043, King Edward the Confessor was crowned in Winchester Cathedral. The Discantus ensemble have here brought back to life the nascent polyphonies of ancient England. These compositions are drawn from the Winchester Tropary, one of the most fabulous musical testimonies of the era. Inserted are two contemporary pieces by composers Pierre Chépélov (b. 1979) and Joel Rust (b. 1989), commissioned by Discantus on texts excerpted from Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy."

The Arditti Quartet's latest release is devoted to the Mexican-born composer Hilda Paredes. Now living in England, she does not, for all that, disown her roots. Born in Tehuac�n, in Puebla State, she engages critical reflection, vis-�-vis the multiple Mexican, indigenous and folk cultures, that closely combines the imaginary and political, all in writing of remarkable precision and refinement. Convinced that the language spoken by a composer shapes his or her music, she likes to work the voice in all it's expressive singularities, here that of countertenor Jake Arditti, Irvine Arditti's son. There is no 'Mexican-ness' with Hilda Paredes, in the sense of that stereotyped colourful sensuality, but rather a close relation to the poetic speech of Mexico and the European avant-garde.

Once again, the inmates of Clairvaux are given a chance to express themselves, this time in a work specially composed by Philippe Hersant whose talent is put to the service of texts written by the prisoners in the framework of writing workshops. The booklet contains photographs of prisoners taken by the inmates.

Classical Music

Here, the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande and Pascal Rophe, with whom the aeon label has collaborated since 2003, give US a very fine William Blank monograph, the fruit of the orchestra's sustained work with this essential representative of Swiss creation, alongside his elder Heinz Holliger and his contemporary Michael Jarrell. Born in 1957 in Montreux, William Blank, composer and conductor, is performed the world over. With him, there are no (or few) evanescent layers, improvised passages. Rather, there is a sort of pointillism with a human face, a maniacal love of small detail behind which emotion is flushed out by harsh, searing intensity or dense outpourings. The works on this program are representative of the recent evolution in his work, especially the piano concerto, Reflecting Black, written in homage to the painter Pierre Soul ages and magnificently served in this recording by pianist David Lively.

Bach's late, contrapuntal masterwork, left incomplete upon his death in 1750. Played here on an untempered piano and complete on 2 CDs. French/Swiss pianist Cedric Pescia has concertized throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Professor of piano at the Haute Ecole de Musique de Geneve. Gold Medalist - 2002 Gina Bachauer International Artists Piano Competition in Salt Lake City, Utah (USA).

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music