The Neave Trio's new album celebrates French works for piano trio, focussing on three works composed around the turn of the twentieth century. Saint-Saens's Piano Trio No. 2 dates from 1892 and comprises five movements. Unusually for Saint-Saens, the work took a great deal of time from conception to completion (over five years) and then went through a number of revisions before Saint-Saens was finally satisfied. Mel Bonis's two pieces Soir and Matin, whilst on a smaller scale, are equally powerful works, bridging the worlds of romanticism and impressionism. The first piece is dominated by a cantabile melody, whilst Matin is more chromatic and harmonically complex. The album concludes with Sally Beamish's arrangement of Debussy's orchestral masterpiece La Mer. This three-movement symphonic work presented Beamish with an exceptional challenge, as she strove to 'reinvent Debussy's orchestral score with the piano trio in mind... This meant exploring what strings and piano can do in terms of texture, and concentrating on idiomatic and natural techniques.' By studying and recreating Debussy's colours and textures, rather than attempting to transcribe every note, Beamish produced an arrangement that presents the performers and listeners with a completely new perspective on these well-loved seascapes.

Baritone Benjamin Appl pays tribute to his mentor, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, whose centenary we celebrate in 2025. "The first time I heard his voice was at school when I was twelve. In 2009, I applied for his master class at the Schubertiade in Schwarzenberg which was the start of a long and transformative relationship. I was fortunate to work with him on my entire repertoire over countless hours in his homes in Berlin and Berg." This album, a CD-book of 140 pages with personal text written by Appl alongside numerous previously unpublished photos and letters, offers us a glimpse into who Fischer-Dieskau was as a person, outside of his obvious public successes and accolades. The repertoire in this touching recording is structured to reflect the major stages of his life and includes compositions by family members Albert and Klaus Fischer-Dieskau, repertoire he sang as a soldier during WW2 and as a POW in Italy, commissions composed especially for him through to favourite Lieder by Schubert.

Shostakovich: String Quartets, Vol. 4

Musical individuality rather than symbiotic fusion: on historical instruments, but with the greatest expressive freedom, the musical details of Beethoven, Schubert, and Vorisek's works from early-nineteenth-century Vienna speak directly to the listener.

Cesti: Cantatas & Arias

The award-winning ensemble Hoor Barock is releasing a full album featuring the music of Antonio Vivaldi. The pride of Sk�ne, Hoor Barock, is the small baroque orchestra that has made a name for itself with it's passionate interpretations of baroque music. The group has been praised for it's virtuosity, sensitivity, stylistic brilliance, and joyful, playful approach to performance. Hoor Barock has four critically acclaimed recordings behind them and won a Swedish Grammy in 2020 together with Dan Laurin. In the new production "Vivaldi in the North," Hoor Barock's temperament and musicianship flourish in Antonio Vivaldi's beautiful and vibrant music. The album includes solo concertos and ensemble works with varying moods and characters. Featured soloists are recorder player Emelie Roos, baroque violinist Hannah Tibell, and lutenist Dohyo Sol. Some of the works on the album deserve special mention - the flute concerto "Il Gran Mogol" was discovered only fifteen years ago and is here recorded for the first time with a recorder instead of a transverse flute. The violin concerto in G major and the string symphony in B minor have a special Swedish (Scanian) connection, as the only surviving manuscripts are preserved at Lund University Library. Hoor Barock has previously recorded works from this nearby library and is keen to highlight the rich historical cultural heritage found there. Vivaldi's music was present in the Nordic countries during the Baroque era and continues to inspire us today. The ever-present drama in Vivaldi's music-whether depicting proud autumn storms, mirror-like icy landscapes, or exuberant dancing joy-can be found in the Nordic nature just as much as in the Mediterranean world of Venice.

Veras: Pieces de Clavecin

Emmalisa Hallander, vocals Filip Ekestubbe, piano Niklas Fernqvist, bass Henrik Jaderberg, drums Daniel Migdal, violin 1 Jonna Simonsson, violin 2 Riikka Repo, viola Amalie Stalheim, cello Special guests Peter Asplund, trumpet & Per Texas Johansson, saxophone

Music as a timeless connection-this is the essence of Ground. Tamar Halperin's latest album bridges centuries, blending Baroque masterpieces with contemporary compositions, harpsichord with synthesizers, and tradition with reinvention. Featuring works by Bach, Buxtehude, Francesco Tristano, Michael Wollny, Idan Raichel and more, Ground explores the invisible thread that links musical eras and styles. Through bold reinterpretations and fresh compositions, Halperin transforms historical influences into a deeply personal, yet universally resonant, listening experience. A celebration of music, friendship, and cultural continuity- Ground is where past and present converge in harmony.

The two books of David S. Lefkowitz's Preludes and Fugues for Piano were performed by a team of four pianists, a cantor, and the composer himself. Lefkowitz asks: "What does it mean to write a fugue in a post-tonal world, in which "major" and "minor" scales have been left behind? 12 of the 13 preludes and fugues in my first book are based on newly-invented scales." Lefkowitz's second book goes even further, using the rich possibilities of a prepared piano, vocal sounds and a finale for two pianos. Lefkowitz's huge musical palate is near-Mahlerian in this challenging and rewarding cycle that spans nearly three hours.

Acknowledged as one of the most exciting lyric tenors of his generation, Liparit Avetisyan releases his first solo album on Delos: a crowd-pleasing programme of celebrated arias which the Armenian has performed in major opera houses including the Royal Opera House, Wiener Staatsoper, Zurich Opera, Bayerische Staatsoper, Semperoper Dresden, Seattle Opera, and Teatro Colon. Accompanied by the Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra under the helm of conductor Constantine Orbelian, Liparit gives a superb account of iconic roles - in turn passionate, tragic and haunting - ranging from Donizetti's Una furtiva lagrima to Verdi's La donna e mobile by way of Puccini's Che gelida manina and Gounod's Salut ! demeure chaste et pure. As a homage to Liparit's home country, this varied program concludes with Sayat-Nova's folk-inspired Qamancha.

Wilhelm Furtwangler was born in Schoneberg (now a district of Berlin) in 1886, but spent most of his childhood in Munich, where his father, an archaeologist, taught at the university. He received a musical education from an early age, and soon became obsessed with the works of Beethoven - a lifelong fascination. Furtwangler considered himself to be a composer, and learned to conduct principally to be able to promote his own works. Everyone else saw him as an incredibly talented conductor, but as a composer? - not so much. It is, however, his own individual approach that underscores his entire career - his reputation as a conductor was built on the re-interpretation of each score he conducted, a principle far removed from the then more usual rigid adherence to performance tradition. His whole career was built on his belief in the sanctity of the German artistic tradition - not only of music but of literature and philosophy. Furtwangler rose to the most important conductorships available, replacing Richard Strauss at the Staatskapelle Berlin in 1920, and then, following the sudden death of Arthur Nikisch, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic. Through the 1930s and '40s, his career was defined by his opposition to Nazism, and the determination of the regime to use his international reputation as propaganda to promote their cause. The best known of his three symphonies, the second was composed in 1945 - 46 whilst he was self-exiled in Switzerland.

On April 24, 2025, Storyville Records release Peter Vuust Quartet's brand new album Homage, their seventh album, recorded in January 2024 at the legendary Nilento Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden. This marks the quartet's first instrumental album in over two decades. The quartet features award-winning bassist, composer, and neuroscientist Peter Vuust, known for his unique ability to blend the complexity of jazz with a scientific understanding of music. In addition to his success as a musician, Vuust is widely recognized as a neuroscientist specializing in the impact of music on the brain. His creative vision and musical insight drive the quartet's sound and this new album. Joining Vuust are Swedish piano icon Lars Jansson, Danish top-streaming saxophonist Claus Waidtlow, and prolific drummer Morten Lund. The album is a heartfelt tribute to the power of music and the legendary figures who have shaped it's history. With a collection of new compositions by Vuust, Homage captures a dynamic interplay of rhythm, melody, and emotion. The recording session brought together four of Scandinavia's most celebrated jazz musicians in an intense yet joyful creative process, resulting in a collection of pieces that balance intricate musicianship with expressive depth. Beyond it's artistic excellence, Homage serves as a showcase for the exceptional talents of the quartet. Pianist Lars Jansson, a pivotal figure in Nordic jazz and a member of Peter Vuust Quartet since 1996, delivers performances that blend introspection with virtuosity. From the introspective piano openings on Homage to Keith and Monday to his brilliant virtuosity on more energetic tracks like Finca La Huerta and Oh, Jaco!, Jansson's playing is a cornerstone of this album. Saxophonist Claus Waidtlow, one of Europe's most accomplished tenor and soprano saxophonists, brings power and melodic sensitivity to the album. His recent success with widely streamed Danish jazz albums attests to his global reach and influence. Drummer Morten Lund, among the most versatile and sought-after percussionists of his generation, provides the rhythmic foundation that ties the album together, seamlessly transitioning between energetic grooves and delicate textures. The Homage recording session was marked by a unique synergy between the musicians, culminating in a deeply cohesive album that resonates with listeners on multiple levels. As Morten Lund remarked after hearing the final mix, "This is the best we've ever made, Peter." With Homage, Peter Vuust Quartet offers a vibrant and expansive musical statement-one that pays tribute to jazz legends while embracing forward-thinking composition and performance.

Baroque ensemble Camerata oresund and their musical director / violinist Peter Spissky explore the musical world of composer, instrumentalist, and patron of the arts, Wilhelmine von Bayreuth (1709-1758). The recording brings to light works by Wilhelmine herself and musicians from within her circle, as we rediscover several long-forgotten pieces. Wilhelmine's entrepreneurial spirit, intellect, talent, and deep love of music and the arts remain an enduring source of inspiration. This album is a tribute to the life and legacy of this remarkable woman of the arts, revealing vibrant musical colours and styles in these concertos, dances, and arias.

Ferdinando Carulli was amongst the most important Italian guitarist-composers during the first half of the 19th century, and his Guitar Method, Op. 27 is still in use today. Marcello Fantoni's first volume of Carulli Rediscovered (Dynamic 7956) was awarded the Chitarra d'Oro Prize for best guitar album of the year in Italy in 2023, and this second volume features world premiere recordings of rarely performed works. These range from the complex Grande Sonatas to three lively Neapolitan-style Ouvertures, Op. 6 [a] brought by Carulli from Italy to his new home in Paris. The album concludes with the brief but delightfully melancholy etude in B minor, Op. 192.