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

Classical Music

Classical Music

What better music than Vivaldi's Le Quattro Stagioni to start the celebration of Rachel Podger's 50th birthday year? Together with the star players of Brecon Baroque, Podger guides listeners through the cycle of nature and life. Vivaldi's Four Seasons have become one of classical music's best loved works. However, most recordings adopt a strikingly similar approach to these scores, and familiarity has blunted the music's edge. Podger's new recording aims to reset the clock - refocusing on the ingredients that make The Four Seasons so special and reminding listeners of the remarkable freshness of Vivaldi's invention.

Florilegium is one of Britain's finest period instrument ensembles. Since their formation in 1991, they have established a reputation for stylish and exciting interpretations, from intimate chamber works to large-scale orchestral and choral repertoire. This two disc collection features eleven of the twenty-four works from Telemann's Essercizii Musici. This selection of solo sonatas and trio sonatas offers the listener an insight into the different styles and instrumental combinations that make up Telemann's unique soundscape and ensure his music is immediately recognizable.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Ballades, sonnets, poems - in earlier days, these were the genres one could mainly encounter in literature or folklore. That is, until Chopin, Liszt and Scriabin introduced them to classical music. On her album Storyteller, pianist Anna Fedorova focuses on these three composers, how they explored the poetic genres, and how their compositions reflected the actual pieces of literature that inspired them.

Classical Music

Classical Music