Second and last volume of Krongold’s complete String Quartets survey by the Alma Quartets. The disc contains the First Quartet (composed in 1923) and the Piano Quintet (1921). Music from Vienna raging Twenties in flawless performances by one of today leading string quartets. Ideal match between Alma Quartet and a specialist pianist as Severin von Eckardstein. Ritmo (SP) on first volume (CC 72869): The recording offered by Alma Quartet is the best available of these works for its understanding of the expressive world of Korngold; is perfect intonation and reading of these difficult works.

Brand new recordings of Brahms’ Sonatas according to period performance practice. Basic features: changing of rhythm and tempo within the same movement, expressive legato, portamento and vibrato. Brahms himself played his chamber workd very freely and stated any ‘sane musician’ would play differently every week. Before recording, Johannes Leertwouer has made a four years research on Brahms’ performing practice, conducting all symphonies and concertos.

A live recording of van Wassenaer’s Concerti Armonici by the well established Dutch ensemble La Sfera Armoniosa. These are beautiful Concerti in the Italian style (until the 80s the work was actually attributed to Pergolesi). This is the third instalment in La Sfera Armoniosa survey of most important Baroque orchestral works from the Netherlands. Previous releases were devoted to De Fesch (CC 72829 – There is much to enjoy in this excellent disc (Scherzo – SP) and to Hellendaal (CC 72911)

Here is a unique disc devoted to cello Galant music composed mid-18th Century in the areas of Mannheim and Berlin. Played on four-string cello piccolo by one of latest generation most interesting and investigative Baroque cellists, the Canadian Octavie Dostaler-Lalonde. Most of the repertoire is recorded and released for the first time. The variery of the atmosphere is guaranteed by the presence of works for cello obbligato, where the fortepiano acquires a leading role. A disc of discoveries: music, sound colours and musicians.

After our Bruckner/Haitink (CC 72895), we are very proud to present the result of a new collaboration with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and its prestigious Saturday Matinée series. This disc contains two major orchestral works by Reinbert de Leeuw, composed respectively in 1974 and in 2013. While Abschied is a stormy and compact piece, Der nächtliche Wanderer is an enormous work suffused with resonant memories. Both are world premiere releases and this CD is a significant addition to the contemporary music record repertoire.

Challenge Classics violinist Rudolf Koelman pays a tribute to his teacher Jascha Heifetz. Two late romantic Concertos, full of pathos, rarely performed today. MusicWeb on CC 72736 Prokofiev Violin Concertos with Rudolf Koelman: … these performances are very fine indeed… the more you listen, the better it gets.

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.

This disc is devoted to the Dutch music for recorder during the Baroque era. The music is highly original, although we can feel a strong influence by contemporary Italian composers like Corelli. Teun Wisse plays different period instruments, each fitting the single Sonata. The strictly historical approach is accomplished by the recording venue, a Dutch 18th Century church, whose acoustic perfectly fits the music.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.