This new release is the debut album of Thimios Atzakas, Greek oud composer and virtuoso. The selection of his own arrangements and compositions that he has chosen for this release displays his range of style, which is influenced by European jazz, Oriental traditions, and contemporary classical music. He is joined by an ensemble of six other musicians from around the world, including Avgerini Gatsi, James Wylie, Nikos Paraoulakis, Elektra Miliadou, Kostas Anastasiadis, and Dimitris Zacharakis.

With this new volume, Barry Douglas once again weaves a magic web with Celtic tunes that have been handed down from generation to generation. His playing is entwined sometimes with new material composed by his musical companions, internationally renowned for their fearless explorations and interpretations of Scottish music. There is an old Irish proverb that translates into “There may be five versions of every story but there are twelve interpretations of each song.” This sentiment reflects an acknowledgement that each artist makes his or her own song out of material that has been handed down. The result is a beautiful, wistful celebration of melodic riches. Praise for Barry’s previous album of Celtic music includes: “Barry Douglas is to be applauded for these arrangements and his direct communication skills. This music means a lot to him and that shows in his performances… The playing, recording (clear and immediate) and musical content are all first class. It was probably a refreshing change for Mr. Douglas to move out of the highbrow arena for a short while and record something different from his usual fare. This is a lovely disc.” (musicweb-international.com)

The music of the "waza" trumpet groups is considered the most important instrumental music of the Berta, who have been living in the border region of Sudan and Ethiopia since the 19th century. A full ensemble consists of ten to twelve monotone instruments between 50 and 180 centimeters long and the wood blocks, called "bali". The performances usually take place after sunset and are a major event for the inhabitants of a village. Before the pieces begin, a woman sings a song, which is then performed instrumentally. The recordings from 1982/3 are published for the first time on this CD.

This CD, which is a co-production with the Berlin Ethnological Museum, is a sample of the larger Mantle Hood collection of 164 reel-to-reel tapes representing more than 80 hours of music and improvisations of principal Javanese gamelan musicians in Yogya, Solo and Bandung in the 1950s. The recordings capture improvisation rooted in a truly Javanese traditional rote system of learning during a pivotal era before the widespread influence of western-modelled conservatory pedagogy. All pieces of this CD - recorded in 1957 and 1958 - are first releases.

Selections recorded at Auditorio Belgrano, Buenos Aires, Argentina and El Pie Studios, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Am nhac t�i t� Nam b� (music of the talented) is an artistically ambitious variety of amateur music from southern Vietnam that developed in the latter half of the nineteenth century with the founding of circles of especially talented musicians. It's repertoire, which represents an essential part of the cultural identity of the south, belongs to musical traditions of Vietnam that are increasingly at risk of being forgotten. Every piece is created anew at each performance. The musicians must give an individual form to a preexisting abstraction with few fixed points. In this context it is interesting to note that the conception of composition and creativity differs from that of classical European models. The CD was awarded the Quarterly German Record Critics' Award!

Classical Music

The "vina" is one of the most important musical instruments used in Carnatic music, which today is still a living musical art and an essential cultural aspect of South India. Rajeswari Padmanabhan and Karaikudi Sambasivayer Subramanian are playing the "vina" in the 9th generation and the remarkable percussionist Tanjore Upendran accompanies them on the "mridangam". The recordings for "Sambho Mahadeva" (Great god Sambhu) were made in June 1975 in the studios of Sender Freies Berlin and the Ethnological Museum in Berlin and include 7 first recordings of a total of 17 pieces. The extensive booklet contains - besides descriptions of the compositions and their respective musical styles - numerous examples of notations and many photographs.

Paraguay has the most influential harp tradition in Latin America. It is Paraguay’s official national instrument and is featured in hundreds of ensembles (conjuntos). One of the country’s most renowned harp player’s, Oscar Benito plays and sings popular songs of his country on this Best of…collection. Among these songs is Sol del Paraguay, Cariñito mio, Mi serenata, Canto de pajarito, Dulce amor, Felicidades and many more. Guitar, accordion, occasional Andean flutes and percussion can be accompanying Mr. Benito.

A beautiful and varied selection of Irish ballads sung by a veritable "Who's Who"of Irish singers and bands: John Faulkner, Br�d N� Chath�in, John Beag, Ann Mulqueen, Tim Dennehy, Iorras Aithneach, Mair�ad Taggart, Joe McDonagh, Sin�ad Murray and Fred Johnston.

Lively and vibrant traditional music and dances from all regions of Romania, this recording features accordion, taragot (variant of an eastern oboe), clarinet, violin, double bass, braci (5-string guitar) and kobza (lute). Extensive information about the group as well as the various dances and music is available in English and German.

A popular Jewish music quartet from London, Shir are commonly called a klezmer group, but describe themselves as playing “Complete Jewish Music” – Israeli, Ladino, Yiddish, Mizrahi, Sephardi, simcha as well as klezmer and even liturgical, and do not consider themselves pinned down to any one style. + ‘From The Heart’ features a soulful selection of Jewish Ashkenazi folk music, from energetic Klezmer instrumentals to story-laden Yiddish songs via synagogue prayers to the optimism of early Israeli songs. + Shir’s music is the story of the Jews of Eastern Europe.

The Rubinstein Klezmer Project presents a selection of energetic and popular Klezmer, Ladino and Balkan instrumental pieces and songs including arrangements of the popular "Hava Nagila" and "If I Were a Rich Man" (Fiddler on the Roof).

Classical Music

Classical Music

An intoxicating album with a riveting collection of Gypsy music. 16 pieces from Hungary, Russia, Central Asia, Romania and the Balkans, over an hour of music, from the very traditional to today's modern renditions, presented by some of the finest exponents in the genre.

Classical Music

Brussels group Kel Assouf, is back with their second album that will shake the Touareg scene even more. After detours toward Afrobeat, reggae and funk, Anana and the new team now turn their attention to Led Zeppelin and today’s rock. Kel Assouf means both “those with nostalgia” and “sons of eternity” in the Touareg language Tamasheq. The group came together around the exiled Touareg musician Anana Harouna in 2006. From the beginning the group built its identity around two central ideas: the promotion of Touareg culture and the struggle against discrimination. For this new release, Kel Assouf wants to express the stupefaction and perplexity created by a world where war, injustice and pollution are running rampant. With one foot in the desert and the other in the urban jungle, Anana writes about the Sahara, Niger, and everyday life both there and in Europe. Using short phrases similar to Japanese haikus, Anana sings his poetry about humanity and respect. The result is a powerful sound.

(2-CD set) Silk-stringed instruments & Chines Storytelling with music

Imagine discovering the cello, Bach, and Pablo Casals at the same time. Hearing LI Xiangting play the qin is just that kind of experience: extremely refined compositions, both rich and contrasting, in a climate of total dedication to the service of this repertoire, over a thousand years old. What is so amazing with qin music, is the way it can be immediately and universally appreciated even beyond it's very rich and specifically Chinese context. The sensuality of it's sound is heightened by complex variations in which virtuosity is at all times for expressive effect. In spite of the many upheavals that China has undergone, the art of the qin remains timeless, faithfully handed down from master to disciple from generation to generation, mainly in writing. Each link in the chain is indispensable and in this respect LI Xiangting occupies a privileged place, being the direct descendant of the greatest masters: Zha Fuxi (1895-1976) and Wu Jinglue (1907-1987). So he has become a professional in the broadest sense, incorporation historical tradition and bringing together the best schools of the young generation. Born in Manchuria in 1940, he is the most prestigious teacher at the Peking Central Music Conservatoire. He is also a fabulous performer of the xiao, the vertical flute, the only instrument along with the human voice ever to be admitted into close contact with the qin.

Jindo is the third largest of many islands situated to the south-west of the Korean peninsula. It had long preserved a unique traditional culture until a bridge was built, connecting the island to the mainland in 1984. Thanks to it's temperate climate, Jindo Island is rich in agricultural and maritime resources. Of it's nine intangible cultural assets, three- ganggangsullae song and dance, nongak community band of music, dance and rituals, and arirang singing- have been classified by UNESCO as Intangible World Cultural Heritage. The island is renowned for it's artistic activities and achievement. Part of the cultural wealth of Jindo is featured on this release, and includes recorded performances of shamanic and funeral rites which, in surpassing sadness, become occasions for communal rejoicing.

Classical Music

This disc focuses on the unique music of the Colombian gaitas ensemble (flutes accompanied by alegre, llamador and tambora drums). It displays the genre at it's most lively and dynamic, preserving it's original expressiveness and revitalizing it with his own sensibility. The style is a direct descendant of the interaction of Colombia's three major peoples (Whites, Blacks and Indians).

Classical Music

Classical Music