Enrique Granados was one of the great composer-pianists of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A deeply nationalist musician, his works primarily mine the rich heritage of Catalan and Spanish folk music for their inspiration. Today, Granados is best remembered for his evocative solo piano works; however his output also includes a great deal of orchestral music and six operas. Many of his piano compositions, due to their rich Spanish flavor, have been transcribed for the classical guitar - including the work recorded here by the young French virtuoso Guillaume Coppola, the Danzas espanolas. In preparing for this recording, Coppola carefully studied original manuscripts and critical editions. In this powerful and insightful recording, his piano shimmers with the colors and the warmth of Spain.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Although much of the repertoire on this disc was originally conceived for large orchestra, the chamber versions offered here shed new light on familiar territory. In 1918, Arnold Schoenberg founded his Verein fur musikalische Privatauffuhrungen (Society for Private Musical Performance), whose mission was to promote contemporary works. A great admirer of Mahler, Schoenberg created a chamber version of the Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen for the Society, while his student Erwin Stein penned a reduction of Busoni's Berceuse diagiaque. Reiner Riehn, who completed Schoenberg's chamber version of Das Lied von der Erde, wrote this arrangement of Mahler's Kindertotenlieder for chamber orchestra. The disc is completed by Mahler's rarely heard Quartettsatz for piano and string quartet. Contralto Sara Mingardo is accompanied by Musica Aurei conducted by Luigi Piovano.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

The Deepest Desire

Classical Music

This triptych devoted to the music of Guillaume de Machaut is important in several respects: firstly, L’Amoureus Tourment was the very first recording of the young Marc Mauillon, who has since made a remarkable career, and not just in early music. Then again, each of these volumes has received massive critical acclaim, starting with the Diapason d’Or awarded in 2008 for Le Remède de Fortune. Lastly, this music that remains so alive 700 years after it was conceived, is conveyed by an ensemble of musicians who have contributed – each in their own area – to its restoration at the very highest level. Foremost among them are the harpist Angélique Mauillon, flautist Pierre Hamon, and vielle-player Vivabiancaluna Biffi.