Violinist and violist Elisabeth Kufferath sets out on a journey to the heart of sound in her first solo release with GENUIN. The program features works in which leading composers of the 20th and 21st centuries push the two instruments to their outermost limits. And the musician, hailing from Hamburg, takes palpable delight in the violin’s brilliance and the viola’s dark beauty: György Kurtág’s multidimensional sensuality, Luciano Berio’s luminous austerity, and not least, the thrilling discontinuities in two works by Jan Müller-Wieland, which Kufferath presents here in world premiere recordings. For intrepid explorers and dreamers!

Other musicians of her age are still regarded as insider’s tips. The young German-Korean concert pianist Caroline Fischer, however, has already proven herself on international concert stages for years and has many awards to her name. Her talent and musical maturity also stand out in this, her third GENUIN release, completely devoted to repertoire that some people dismiss as “virtuoso.” Fischer brings out the enormous musical richness and sensual sound in these brilliant works by Lyapunov and Moszkowski, von Weber and Saint-Saëns – not to mention Liszt, Chopin, and Beethoven – with precision and charm. Great piano playing in miniature gems!

The works by Georg Philipp Telemann and his north German colleagues presented on this Genuin release, featuring Baroque violinist Gabriele Steinfeld and harpsichordist Anke Dennert, reveal no hint of the coolness associated with the Hanseatic city. The full rnage of passion from an epoch overflowing with artistic energy is captured by teh two musicians, on instruments that were already being played on the Elbe when the young Telemann was demonstrating his almost southern temperament in the city. What's more, their violin from 1680 and harpsichord from 1716 tell us gripping musical tales by Johann Schop, Matthias Weckmann, and Thomas Baltzar. In Telemann's own words: let us come forth and be joyful!

What would Wagner’s Tristan be, what would other great opera and orchestral works be without the finely timbred, almost magical sound of the English horn? And yet: has anyone you know ever been to a chamber music concert that featured a solo English horn? Michael Sieg (English horn) and Angelika Merkle are now making up for this musical deficiency: the two multi-prizewinning artists are releasing their first album with GENUIN, and the outstanding arrangements of works from Piazzolla to Rachmaninoff, as well as original compositions by Pasculli and Steinmetz, keep us riveted to our loudspeakers: sweetness and strength, virtuoso gems and plaintive songs – the beginning of a new love.

Feather-light music played as light as a feather: this is John Finucane’s first GENUIN release in a nutshell. He joins on the recording with piano partner Elisaveta Blumina, who has already appeared on three albums with the Leipzig label. In this exquisite combination of French Romanticism and Post-Romanticism, the virtuoso Irish clarinetist does not betray the slightest hint that he is performing some of the most challenging pieces written for his instrument. Works by Debussy, Françaix, Saint-Saëns, and Widor are played with such joy and naturalness that we feel transported to the world of Paul Verlaine or Marcel Proust.

Two instruments and one sound – one sound and yet two hearts: the Shalamov Piano Duo shows us why it was the second piano duo ever to win first prize at the ARD competition. For their GENUIN debut release, the two pupils of the Stenzl brothers at the Rostock University of Music have selected repertoire ranging from Schubert’s delightful March to Debussy’s feather-light soundscapes (Petite Suite), Hindemith’s virtuoso keyboard escapades, and the world premiere recording of Ferran Cruixent’s Binary, the obligatory work at the competition. Under the fingers of Alina Shalamova and Nikolay Shalamov, a fascinating sound stage opens up before our ears!

Classical Music

Their tone is stunningly beautiful, their arrangements sophisticated, and they play together with such precision that we're convinced we're hearing an organ. This is the Arcis Saxophone Quartet. The successful Munich-based ensemble is presenting its Genuin debut release after winning first prizes at no fewer than five major international competitions. The program features works by Bach, Gershwin, and the breathtakingly virtuosic Rash by Franco Donatoni, which gave the album its name. With its lively an dspirited sound, the performances prove to be a true delight: Bach is light and transparent, Gershwin exuberant and unbelievably drive - highly recommended listening!

Maria Kliegel, one of the most sought-after cellists today, was once heralded by the great Rostropovich as "La Cellissima." She has won numerous prizes and two Grammy nominations. A personal compilation of exciting music for cello and piano is now available with her piano partner Oliver Triendl on her new GENUIN release "Voyages Sonores." The duo refers to the collection of works from Spain and France as a "musical journey" - music that shimmers in the sun and is Mediterranean, but at the same time is full of passion and darkness. And all this played in such an electrifying way that you immediately think you are on the Mediterranean: from Poulenc to de Falla, from Debussy to Granados... Ol�!

The Aris Quartett, one of the most exciting ensembles on the international scene, won several ARD awards in 2016. The second GENUIN release confirms the amount of publicity the quartet has received. Two existential chamber music works can be found there, which in their unconditionality and unheard-of expressiveness demand everything from the listener. The Aris Quartett plays Shostakovich's famous 8th string quartet and Schubert's Death and the Maiden with an uncompromising style that pulls you out of your chair: spooky nocturnal pieces, deeply sad lamentation and a demonic dance macabre - world class! "One of the most sensational ensembles of the younger generation." (ARTE) "The future of the classical music scene." (Aspekte) "On the verge of an international career." (NDR Kultur)

Mookie Lee-Menuhin and Jeremy Menuhin already proved on their debut Genuin album that they are a great piano duo. And now the composer Jeremy Menuhin presents himself in that light for the first time on a recording as well: The duo's new Genuin release exclusively features world premiere recordings. There is a baroque suite, but it plays elaborately with our expectations and listening habits, and there are "transformations" of individual movements of the two string sextets by Johannes Brahms: real ear-openers! Also, there are colorful variations on a theme and a virtuoso fantasy that unites the styles: brilliantly played, true expansions of the repertoire! "As if entirely of one mind" (Primephonic) captures the essence of every performance by the dynamic Menuhim Duo. Whether performing on two pianos or side by side at the same keyboard, Mookie and Jeremy play as one, interpreting the classical repertoire with devotion and joy. The unique soundscape of the two-piano literature allows the Duo great flexibility of range, color and depth in their performances of works by Mozart, Brahms, Schumann, Lutoslawski, Bartok, and many others.

New worlds open up before us upon hearing these performances by the Ensemble Encore, one of the shooting stars of the a cappella scene: the musicians have already won multiple awards, including at the a cappella competition in Leipzig, and are feted by their audiences! On their GENUIN debut release, the six young ladies and gentlemen captivate not only with their sparkling clean and well-formed ensemble sound, but also with an exciting and unconventional program in which spirituals meet Renaissance and tango is heard alongside symphonic classics. Brilliant arrangements and ear-opening originals: from Deep River to Libertango and the Lamentation for Maundy Thursday - full of surprises for the connoisseur and a joy to the newcomer. Absolutely recommended!

Piano, violin, and violoncello: Trio Marvin's debut album presents to us all the energy that composers have bundled together in this instrumental combination since the Romantic period. Vita Kan, Marius Urba and Marina Grauman describe Echoes of War as their juxtaposition of works by Dmitri Shostakovich and Mieczyslaw Weinberg, two composers who were influenced by World War II and Stalinism. The three draw us into a rhythm of hope, despair, and grief, igniting a firework of bright colors. Perfection, passion and musical superiority: it's easy to understand the enthusiasm of the jurors of the ARD Music Competition 2018, the Mendelssohn Competition 2017 and other major competitions who have awarded the ensemble so many first prizes!

It Is Probably Clear to Anyone Who Has Ever Approached Chopin or Liszt Etudes That Piano Technique Means More Than Solitarily Practicing Czerny on the Piano. However, That the Tonal Palette of the Piano Can Also Explode in All Directions in Etudes Is Strongly Demonstrated By Stefan Wirth (On His Genuin Debut CD): The Dynamic and Musically Differentiated Powerhouses Stem from Szymanowski, Ligeti, Ives, As Well As Wirth Himself, Which in Their Diversity, Conciseness, and Wit Make People Forget Their Original Purpose. Not for Lounge Lizards and the Weak at Heart.

For centuries, Martin Luther's chorales have been not only a pillar of liturgical song, but a source of strength and inspiration for many people and indespensable part of their lives. On this album Christian Sprenger gives Luther's works a symphonic makeover, following in the footsteps of the great film music composers and conveying their emotional message in a way that speaks to us even more directly today. Sprenger himself leads the full-blooded and technically flawless Staatskapelle Weimar on this release.