This haunting, primal release from the EOS Guitar Quartet features works by Georges Bizet, Manuel de Falla, Camille Saint-Saens, and Astor Piazzolla, all with the theme of ritualistic dance. Bizet's Carmen Suite evokes the sensuous but deadly dance of the famous love triangle from Bizet's opera. de Falla's piece El amor brujo translates to Spellbound Love, and features movements that are distinctively Andalusian in character. Saint-Saens' Danse Macabre and Piazzolla's Four for tango round out the release. As one of the "few outstanding formations of their kind" (Basler Zeitung), the Eos Guitar Quartet has been casting a spell over their fans for over 25 years. With seven albums, programmes full of variety and too many concerts to count, the four guitarists from Switzerland have won the respect and enthusiasm of critics.

This release features songs from Southern Italy as well as solo guitar music performed by singer Letizia Fiorenza and guitarist David Sautter. Fiorenza and Sautter formed the group I Cantimbanchi after meeting while they were both on scholarship at the Swiss Institute in Rome researching the subject of folk songs of Southern Italy. Letizia Fiorenza, who spent her childhood in southern Italy, selects songs and then frees them from any constraints of sentimentality. What remains is a diversity of texts that are not in any way limited to describing the carefree cheerfulness of the south. Instead, room is made for biting satirical wit, sadness, melancholy and easily aroused anger. In racing, crackjaw "parlando", a speech-like form of singing, and with a strong, unaffected voice, she tells stories of the people living between Rome and Sicily. David Sautter uses the songs that Letizia Fiorenza has chosen as the takeoff point for his own musical adaptations. He absorbs the archaic and immortal elements in the music and joins them together with his own experience and background, the background of a classically trained musician who spent his childhood in the northern latitudes.

Julio Azcano is the newest member of the Eos Guitar Quartet. Different paths converge in the acoustic palette of Julio Azcano: the refining of his classic technique at his homeland Argentina, an intense activity in improvisation and composition projects in Europe and an international performing activity that includes concerts through South America, Asia, Europa and the USA. Immersed since his early days in the strong guitar tradition of Argentina, Julio completed his Diploma in Classical Guitar in Mar del Plata and took private lessons with guitar virtuoso Eduardo Isaac. Later he continued his studies in Buenos Aires, under the guidance and support from Pino Marrone, and began to integrate elements from Jazz and Improvisation in his repertoire. Azcano's solo album Distancias is an ongoing dialogue between continents, cities and cultures. A virtuoso journey that connects different sound landscapes between jazz, world, and classical music. "There is a timeless quality to this music, transcending eras or genres that is neither antiquated nor ephemeral. Julio Azcano's Distancias is an alluring union of eclectic compositions and brilliantly executed performances and is highly recommended for all fans of acoustic music." (James Scott)

Let's be honest: the best presents are often those we give ourselves. But what gift would be appropriate for a guitar quartet celebrating 20 years on the stage? A comparison can give us a clue: what do a couple give each other after 20 years of marriage? Perhaps a journey to an unknown destination during which they reminisce about their past and imagine their future together? Or maybe something practical instead? The Eos Guitar Quartet at any rate - although it most certainly has a practical bent too - decided against new music stands and for a journey of adventure - naturally one accompanied by 24 strings. The idea was to put together 20 miniature compositions by 20 different composers in order to celebrate the passing of 20 years and take the step into the next 20. After all, 20 years of Eos are hardly enough. So Project 20+ was born. Ultimately, 21 musicians from all over the world took part - as indicated by the formula 20+. The composers were asked only to include a thematic reference to rosy-fingered Eos, Greek goddess of dawn and her entourage, and not to go beyond two to three minutes. The result was this stunning album that rises to the occasion of marking such an important milestone.

Letizia Fiorenza was born in Rome, and grew up there, in Florence, and Piana degli Albanesi. After studying Italian Language and Literature and Literary Criticism in Zurich, and training as a singer in Zurich and Rome, she received a scholarship in 1990 tospend a year at the Swiss Institute in Rome researching the folk music heritage of southern Italy. David Sautter grew up in Zurich and received his teacher’s diploma at the Conservatory of Zurich under the tutelage of Walter Feybli. After earning his soloist’s diploma at the Music Academy of Basel under Oscar Ghiglia, he received a scholarship to spend a year at the Swiss Institute in Rome. He has been working together with singer Letizia Fiorenza for the past two decades, and is active as a guitarist, arranger and composer. As the duo I Cantibanchi, Fiorenza and Sautter use suspense and humor as they explain the content of the songs of southern Italy to their audience before the singing begins. This enables the listeners to grasp the storyline and allows them to completely immerse themselves in the Italian singing and sounds and thus enjoy the music to its fullest.

Michael Winkler was born in Zurich in 1962. The guitarist with roots in Germany and a resume of studies at the Zurich and Bern conservatories (both teacher and soloist diplomas) started his musical career as many guitarists do- with Rock and Roll. Most notably, he was part of the classic rock band Eloiteron, with whom he recorded the 1981 album ‘Lost Paradise.’ In addition to his studies at the Zurich and Bern conservatories, he also pursued further training in a variety of international master classes, under the likes of Pepe Romero. During his studies he did other work like composing and arranging film music for synchronized AV slide shows and documentary films. His true love, however, is playing solo guitar. His first solo album was released in 1988 and contained music by Dowland, Sor, Liobet, Rodrigo and Yocoh. He now presents himself on this album with his own compositions, giving a virtuoso performance that treads the border between classical, jazz, and world music.

Flutist Sylvie Dambrine was born in Nantes. She completed her basic study under Guy Cottin and her vocational study under Michel Debost at the Conservatoire National Superieur de Paris, achieving first prize. She then undertook studies with Aurele Nicolet. She completed her soloist's diploma under Jean-Claude Gerard. Sylvie Dambrine has performed in various ensembles since 1990, including the Zurich Baroque Ensemble and Zurich Opera Orchestra. Marcel Ege was born in Brussels and grew up in Zurich. After completing his baccalaureate, he studied classical guitar at the Zurich Music Academy under Walter Feybli, concluding his studies with a teaching and concert diploma. During his studies, Marcel Ege started working intensively with the flamenco guitar. He worked with some of the finest flamenco guitarists in Spain and France. He is a member of the inernationally successful Eos Guitar Quartet. On this release, the duo performs compositions and arrangements for flute and guitar by such composers as Francois Borne, Paulo Bellinati, and Maximo Diego Pujol.

Whether it's classical, jazz, rock, modern avant-garde or flamenco – the Eos Guitar Quartet is comfortable playing in many styles. Even the Spanish audience – with the highest demands when it comes to guitar music – were convinced, thanks to the collaboration with the famous flamenco singer Carmen Linares. Marcel Ege, Martin Pirktl, David Sautter and Michael Winkler got to know each other when they studied together at the Music Academy in Zurich. They founded the quartet in 1988, taking their name from the Greek word for dawn. Master classes with notable artists at home and abroad as well as initial successes with the public and the press made the four of them a close-knit unit. Appearances on radio and television saw their success continue. This album was first released in 1991, shortly after the group began performing together, and is now available once more. Masterful composers are featured, including Vivaldi, Rossini, and Stravinsky, in arrangements done by the ensemble.

“La Santa Allegrezza,” a tradition of the heart .. From the tradition of Advent and the Novena, the nine days before the birth of Christ, Letizia Fiorenza and David Sautter have collected songs from Campania and Sicily. Striking in these songs are the simplicity and the directness of the lyrics and the music. The story of Jesus' birth, for example, as narrated by the blind Cantastorie in Palermo, is dramatically staged with the same intensity as the famous Rider epics portrayed on the streets of Palermo with the gold-brained Pupi. These songs depict the human side of the Christmas story that is comprehensible to everyone, a dimension that appeals to the heart. We suffer with Mary, fear the shepherds and rejoice with the kings when they finally discover the promised child. A special position is given to Mary, who is shown as a dignified expectant mother, who commands over the water and the serpent, who in her paces the way, crushed with his foot. The selected classical pieces for guitar in contrast to the drama of the songs a contemplative pause.

The two exceptional artists Andreas Winkler & Michael Winkler present their second album with Irish and Scottish ballads, as well as songs, jigs and reels. The second album is more intimate, more reflective and even more focused on the virtuoso interplay of guitar and voice. The two classically trained musicians take on the traditional songs with their very own perspective. Their unique arrangements transform these ancient folk songs of the British Isles into classical tunes at concert hall level. Andreas Winkler is a passionate singer, stage director, and teacher. As a lyrical tenor, he has appeared on many stages worldwide. Michael Winkler is a successful concert guitarist, who completed his musical studies with the soloist diploma. He is making a name for himself as an interpreter of Bach’s works and his own compositions for guitar. He is a member of the internationally renowned Eos Guitar Quartet, which has existed since 1985 and is one of the most prominent ensembles of its kind in the world.

This release features Christmas carols from all over the world. From South American rhythms to silent nights, from Italy, England, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Russia, France, Spain, USA, Uruguay and Argentina. Together we want to immerse ourselves in a joyous Christmas season. Everyone connects during this time with their own memories and sensory impressions. In addition to family encounters and festive food, it is also the music that lets us sensually capture the emotions of this time and awaken childhood memories. The spectrum is wide: from soulful, deep intimacy to merry cheering. If we are looking for Christmas carols around the world, the range will be even wider. So we have compiled a variety of Christmas carols, sung in 10 languages, and this edited for the simple cast of vocals and classical guitar. This is a beginning of our "world collection", which will be expanded with songs from other regions of the world. As different as the songs of all the nations on this album are, the content, Christ's birth, brings everyone together. We want to emphasize this solidarity and tolerance during the Christmas season and to revive it. With these songs we wish you a Merry Christmas.

The guitarist Michael Winkler is internationally known as a musical frontier crosser, especially through the Eos Guitar Quartet. After his debut LP, the highly acclaimed Bach album and the album midlife with original compositions, he now presents his fourth solo album with original compositions by Tárrega. Francisco Tárrega 1852-1909, was a Spanish guitarist and composer. He is still considered the founder of modern guitar playing and the most prominent guitarist and teacher of his era. "When I first heard Tárrega's music as a young man, I was immediately in love with the melodies, harmonies and elegance of his waltzes. I played the pieces at every opportunity until they became "my" pieces. Later I discovered polyphony and forgot about Tárrega's music, until finally in 2019 I dared to reinterpret it with a grasp of my eyes. I interpreted many things more slenderly and rhythmically tighter than at that time, thought phrasings larger, but also took more time. The beautiful spatial sound of the band supported my joy of playing, stimulated my creativity and fulfilled my wish to record the album in a natural acoustic.”

Cinema enthusiasts all over the world will have no difficulty recalling some of the wonderfully circus-like melodies of Federico Fellini's films. The suggestive power of this music is irresistible, and made its composer Nino Rota (1911-1979) an instant classic. But Rota not only left his mark on the soundtrack of over one hundred and fifty films, he also left behind a multitude of other pieces: Operas, symphonies, concertos for orchestra and various solo instruments, and chamber music - all of the highest quality. A never-ending wealth of ideas and deep emotionality can be regarded as the common denominator in Rota's highly individual work.

The many Rota interpretations and arrangements are joined by a very special line-up in this recording. The musicians David Sautter (arrangements, guitar) and Murat Cevik (flute) have put together 23 little-known pieces and "gutter hits". Rota's compositions appear to only have been waiting for the congenial performance of these two instrumentalists: the feather-light, sparkling, sometimes darker playing of Murat's flute, and David's guitar, which sets the beat and suddenly starts swinging. The excerpts from the "15 preludi per Pianoforte" form the enchanting prelude - flute and guitar in dialogue, dancing on the high wire -, followed by a musical bouquet in all its colorful facets until the concluding "Notti di Cabiria"; here the duo casually lives out its jazz affinity and harmoniously rounds off the homage.

It doesn’t take much to image that the material on this album could be an initiative launched by Swiss diplomats: A Swiss guitar quartet playing compositions by a Cuban and a American. For many years, relations between Cuba and the USA were not particularly friendly – until Barack Obama opened a new era of diplomacy between the two nations in 2016. As a neutral country, Switzerland has often erved as an intermediary between the United States and other countries. But this is not about diplomacy. The Eos Guitar Quartet often performs works by Leo Brouwer and Ralph Townwe and has commissioned these artists to compose original music for the quartet. Everyone knows and appreciates each other. And as a highly specialized chamber music ensemble, the Eos Guitar Quartet naturally tries to help expand the repertoire for such a formation. This Performance of Gismontiana is a live recording of a concert featuring the Eos Guitar Quartet together with the Musikkollegium Winterthur conducted by composer Leo Brower. The Concert took place in the Stadthaus Winterthur, Switzerland.

The Spanish master guitarist Paco de Lucía, whose death anniversary will be celebrated for the seventh time in 2021, is the focus of the new album by the Eos Guitar Quartet. For the four musicians, his music, his innovative power and not least their personal contact with him were a constant source of inspiration. As an expression of this great admiration, the Eos Guitar Quartet has now asked the three composers, Leo Brouwer, John McLaughlin and José Antonio Rodriguez, to write a work for the ensemble under the motto "Homage to Paco de Lucía". The result is works that enrich the repertoire for guitar quartet in an outstanding way. In the spirit of Paco, the Eos Guitar Quartet plays original compositions by Marcel Ege and David Sautter alongside three dances by Manuel de Falla. The singing of the legendary flamenco singer Carmen Linares and the subtle accompaniment of the percussionist Ricardo Espinosa give this album a wonderful addition and enhancement.