Classical Music

The Rite of Spring's 1913 premiere created one of the most famous classical music riots in history. It's intensely rhythmic score, primitive scenery and radical choreography completely shocked the audience, who were accustomed to the elegant conventions of classical ballet. Almost 100 years later, the Rite of Spring still has the ability to shock - it still sounds fresh, pagan and new. On this Super Audio recording, Ivan Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra offer a powerful and intense performance that reveals the underlying simplicity that forms the foundation of the work.

Born in Chengdu, China, violinist Ning Feng studied at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music and the Royal Academy of Music in London. The recipient of prizes at the Hanover International, Queen Elisabeth and Yehudi Menuhin International violin competitions, Feng was also awarded first prize in the 2006 International Paganini Competition. Now based in Berlin and performing worldwide, Feng is developing an international reputation as an artist of great lyricism and tremendous bravura. This second volume in his series of works for solo violin features works by Bartok, Prokofiev and, Hindemith.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

One of the icons of chamber music, Schubert's celebrated String Quintet is heard in an unusual version on this recording. Schubert's work was styled after those of Boccherini and Onslow, which featured two violins, viola and two cellos. After hearing the double bass virtuoso Domenico Dragonetti, Onslow decided to add an alternative bass part to replace the second cello part. Schubert might have done the same if he had heard Dragonetti play, so the Amsterdam Sinfonietta commissioned this Marijn van Prooijen adaptation, and the double bass part is performed here by Rick Stotijn.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

This CD marks the silver jubilee of the Amsterdam Sinfonietta. Under Lev Markiz, the first artistic director, the orchestra presented numerous national and international premieres by composers including Schnittke, Shostakovich, Ustvolskaya, Port and Denisov. It recently presented world premieres by Gubaidulina, Mansoerjan and Vasks, as well as the west-European premiere of Mieczyslaw Weinberg's Concertino in the Amsterdam Concertgebouw in 2009, with the present artistic director Candida Thompson as soloist. This anniversary recording features Weinberg's Concertino and two now world-famous Chamber Symphonies by Dmitri Shostakovich. The three works are not only related by their musical language, but also by a lifelong friendship between the two composers.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

The music of B�la Bart�k has everything: the mysterious tension of a thriller, loving lyricism, warm string sounds, almost impossible techniques challenging any string player to rediscover his instrument, and exhilarating rhythms which could well be rooted in folk dance. With the first volume in a complete string quartet cycle, The Ragazze Quartet has declared itself Bart�k Bound.

Classical Music

Classical Music

With this recording of the Third Symphony, the GRAMMY winning combination of Ivan Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra completes their Brahms Symphonies Cycle on Channel Classics. The recording commenced one day prior to Hungary closing its borders on September 1st, 2020. Engineer/Producer Jared Sacks had just arrived from The Netherlands. Despite the lockdown, the venue remained accessible, and the recording could be completed. It is coupled here with the Serenade No.2.