A live recording of Ysaÿe’s six solo Sonatas is a daring endeavour. More when the violinist is just 26 years old. But we think last October in Winthertur Sólveig Steinþórsdóttir made a really memorable exploit that deserves to be saved and released as a CD. This is why Challenge Classics is proud to present the debut recording of a young raising star – at the same time celebrating the 100th anniversary of this unique composition.

Alberto Rasi and his prestigious Accademia Strumentale continue their journey through the masterpieces of the European Baroque music. Here they join forces with the young star of the lute Jadran Duncombe to confront another Baroque milestone: John Dowland’s Lachrymae. First time ever the players are recorded around a table where the printed music lies. This allows – just like for polyphony singers around a score – a perfect communication among the musicians. On Bach: Toccata Alte Musik: It is rare to hear the "Art of the Fugue" so lively and undisguised! Just listen! On Rameau, Fanfare wrote: "This is an excellent disc and one that should entertain and entice Baroque music lovers."

An extraordinary disc. Baritone Thilo Dahlmann couples the innocence and beauty of Brahms’ Volkslieder with the the despair and mourning of Glanzberg’s Holocaust Lieder. Glanzberg’s scantly known Lieder are imbued with a stunning melodic gift. Through the juxtaposition of these two masterworks, the musicians highlight one of the most tragic cultural ruptures in history.

Here is Challenge Classics fourth orchestral release of Robin de Raaf’s music. Robin de Raaf is counted amongst the contemporary leading composers in the Netherlands. His music is complex and much elaborated, but also approachable to the ear. On previous CC 72762 (Melodies unheard): The result is ultimately a very personal kind of expressionism that is never less than impressive and sometimes beautiful, sometimes overwhelmingly violent. (Records International)

Pianist Oliver Triendl and violinist Isabelle van Keulen present here the complete output for their instruments by an almost unknown Russian composer: Grigory Frid (1915-2012). The pieces encompass a composition period of time going from late 40s to early 70s and feature different styles which may recall Shostakovich to Schnittke. The atmospheres are also much diversified, but the music always conveys a great sense of depth and feeling, both musically and emotionally.

We are proud to release the first disc of Baroque violinist Eva Saladin on Challenge Classics. For her debut on our label, Eva has chosen the scantly known sonatas by Pandolfi Mealli, an apparently marginal figure in the richest violin landscape of the 17th Century However Pandolfi Mealli was indeed a uique composer, the only one who was able to combine the Italian school of the first half of the century (Castello, Marini) with the later Austrian flowering (Biber, Schmelzer). The sonatas recorded here were published in 1660 and carry a wide range of characters and atmosphere, a diversity enhanced by the different combinations of continuo chosen by Eva Saladin.

Fourth release by Einav Yarden on Challenge Classics: Johann Sebastian Bach and Carl Philippe Emanuel Bach. The spotlight is on the son. By combining father and son, the disc intends to emphasize the bold innovations of the latter. Washington Post on CC 72599: She pairs Beethoven to Stravinsky to striking effect, merging that unlikely couple with imagination and exceptionally vivid playing. Gramophone on CC 72742 (Haydn): Yarden clearly ha much to say in this repertoire and is beautifully recorded too. Piano News on 72776 (Schumann): Einav Yarden is a captivating pianist with a clear vision and a wonderful, convincing sound.

Saint-Saëns' First Cello Concerto was composed in 1873; Lalo's in 1876, meaning that they are both products of late French romanticism and, not by chance, both in minor keys. Maja Bogdanovic's interpretation is imbued with her Slavic background, emphasising the passionate and tragic character of both works. Thanks to the perfect chemistry between her and the Serbian conductor and orchestra, the result is a dazzling and unique performance, providing a brand new insight into two famous works and, most importantly, the feeling of attending a live concert.

Seven years have gone since third and latest Elbipolis Barockorchester disc was released by Challenge Classics. The new disc is devoted to the Bach family. Along two Brandenburg Concertos and the First Violin Concerto by Johann Sebastian, we find two symphonies by his most gifted sons: Wilhelm Friedmann and Carl Philipp Emanuel. The peculiar mark of the orchestra is even more evident: the freshness of the approach, the glittering sound, the lack of showing-off, the ingenious respect the score.

The pandemic in 2020-21 brought little to dispel the gloom among performing musicians. But these months also proved to be a time of reflection and artistic rebirth for many, the arts became a breeding ground for spiritual offspring, and so it proved for me; the genesis of the work you can hear on this album. Finally, there was plenty of time to spend many hours every day working on the project against a background of calm, which made Bach's music all the more comforting!

Cappella Pratensis has been building an impressive discography at Challenge Classics. Their previous releases include the three first volumes of Den Bosch Choirbook (CC 72877, 72878, 72879) and the Hieronymus Bosch-inspired album Visions of Joy, anchored in the luminous music of Pierre de la Rue (CC 72710). All these records have received a wide critical acclaim and specialized media awards. So, it is not by surprise that now they confront one of the highest peaks of Renaissance polyphony: Jacob Obrecht’s Missa Maria zart. And once more Cappella Pratensis, under the guide of Stratton Bull, achieve highest standards, setting a new reference account for this polyphonic masterpiece.

In his second disc of Mozart Concertos for Challenge Classics, Ben Kim confronts two great concertos like Nos. 24 and 25, both composed in Vienna in 1786. Both works are numbered among the masterpieces of the genre. The album reflects Mozart's artistic development and how it alienated his listeners, but also of the artist's own journey of finding confidence in vulnerability. His previous CC 72816 (Concertos Nos. 17 & 23) was welcomed by Gramophone: “his debut with Challenge reveals a sensitive touch … [his] performances give pleasure in their delivery of Mozart’s indelible melodic writing” and by BBC Music Magazine: “ … a recording that offers considerable rewards.”

Read our exclusive interview with Sigiswald, Marie, and Sara Kuijken!

Magnificent and transparent, a recording of the famous masterpiece by J.S. Bach by La Petite Bande and Sigiswald Kuijken. The ensemble has a worldwide reputation of aiming for the most authentic sound possible. Again Kuijken and his group of musicians and vocalists have achieved this the most sublime way! By using authentic instruments and the original way of playing them, both in interpretation and sound quality, La Petite Bande strives to revive baroque music as faithfully as possible without lapsing into rigid academics.

Here is the second volume of Bach’s Sonatas for violin and obbligato harpsichord. Terakado and Bonizzoni offer a thoroughly distinctive account of these famous masterpieces. Their approach combines a deep musical and philosophical insight with a conversational vibe.