Classical Music

Classical Music

The fourth and final volume of the complete recordings of Ludwig van Beethovens violin sonatas by Salzburg violinist Thomas Albertus Irnberger with Michael Korstick, piano, focuses on the sonatas op. 30/1 and 30/2. Composed in 1802, the year when he also wrote the "Heiligenst�dter Testament", these works reflect Beethovens emotional state: On one hand, there is a new affection, professional success and aspiration, on the other hand, above all his emerging severe hearing defect, threatening his artistic and psychological existence. Ever so different in style and characterized by heavy mood swings, the sonatas are composed in the keys of A major (No. 6, op. 30/1) respectively C minor (No. 7, op. 30/2). The Rondo in G major, WoO 41, and the Six German Dances, WoO 42, however, were written in 1794/96 and convey ease and almost juvenile cheerfulness - a trait also prevalent in the interpretation of Irnberger and Korstick.

Classical Music

Carl Goldmark, Jewish composer of Hungaro-Austrian descent, practically never in his youth received comprehensive musical training, which may be why he only at the age of 30, around the year 1860, gained public attention as a composer with his string quartet Op. 8. Foregone has a period of intense self-study of counterpoint and works by Bach and Beethoven. Two years later, Goldmarks string quintet Op. 9 premiered, though being thought of as too bold for the taste of the audience, hence it's performance was refused by Ferdinand David, concert master of the Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig, after having made some unpleasant experiences with the string sextet by Brahms. The Haydn Quartet, for more than 20 years "quartet in residence" in Esterhazy Palace in Eisenstadt, is being supported by outstanding cellist and professor Rudolph Leopold.

Palestinian-Austrian musician Marwan Abado met fellow musician Paul Gulda through a mutual friend from Beirut. Little did they know the musical outcome this friendship would have. "Masaar Hubb- Path of Love", introduces an intriguing combination of oud and harpsichord- a rare and fascinating addition to the World Music scene. Andalusian flavors, Bach suites, and Arabic desert echoes paint an open space for these two instruments of orient and occident to improvise, accompanied by Abado's voice.

Classical Music

Canadian musician Laura Young became a dedicated classical guitaristat the age of nine, and has since dazzled audiences with her unique style and daring concert programs. Laura Young presents this album of works by Max Reger in honor of the 100th anniversary of the composer’s death. Young is a professor at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria.

"•The subtitle of this recording, ‘Musical musclemen among themselves’, by the internationally celebrated, award-winning duo of Adam Javorkai and Clara Biermasz conveys an apposite picture of the powerful and intense sound worlds of these two Romantics. • The duo has a wide repertoire and is always in search of undiscovered compositions or composers. • ‘Absolutely top class, simply stunning …’ – Cziffra Foundation Vienna (2009)"

- The second part of TrioVanBeethoven's complete series of piano trios starts out with the Trio in B flat, op. 97 ('Archduke'), one of Beethoven's most popular and extensive trios. - Although only published in 1824, Beethoven's 'Cockatoo Variations', op. 121a, based on a popular song from the musical comedy Die Schwestern von Prag by composer Wenzel M�ller, must have begun around the beginning of the 19th c., thus providing for both early and late stylistic features. - The Allegretto for the Piano Trio in E flat, Hess 48 (1784) on the other hand, constitutes a truly early work by Beethoven.

South Korean baritone Siwoung Song received his training at the Music and Art Conservatories of his hometown Seoul, as well as in Vienna, Munich and Salzburg. In addition to appearances in oratorios and title roles on the international operatic stage, the young baritone has concentrated on Lied singing. The collaboration with the great song accompanist Helmut Deutsch led in April 2014 to the song recital presented here. Together with Schumann’s “Dichterliebe” op. 48 after poems by Heine, the program includes songs from Wolf’s “Italian Songbook” and Mozart.

Classical Music

Aptly subtitled A Journey of Passion through Europe and Time, the longtime collaborative duo of Ukrainian violinist Arkadij Winokurow and Austrian pianist Elisabeth Eschw� brings us this collection of works that, while spanning a few centuries and eras, all share the common theme of love and longing and the joy and melancholy these states can bring.

"•Bach’s works for the transverse flute were always in the shadow of his monumental partitas, suites and sonatas for violin and cello solo. • With their astonishingly fresh interpretations, Grzegorz Cimoszko, flute, and Richard Fuller, harpsichord, give these unjustly underrated works new splendor. • A seasoned orchestral and chamber musician, Mr. Cimoszko performs as a soloist in Europe and the Americas. • A Viennese transplant, Mr. Fuller has emerged as a major interpreter of the fortepiano Repertoire."

Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto and Richard Strauss’ Metamorphoses represent late, great works by two composers whose geniuses were once more expressed in unprecedented intensity. + The WWII era Metamorphoses for 23 strings is characterized by profound grief, but ultimately expressing hope for the future. + Commemorating the outbreak of WWI, young Austrian composer Flora Marlene Geisselbrecht (b. 1994) joins in on the appeal for peace with Die Waffen nieder! ("Lay Down Your Arms!"), giving credit to Bertha von Suttner by incorporating citations of the first female Nobel peace-prize winner.