Bruce Liu, winner of the 2021 International Chopin Piano Competition and famous for his distinctive mix of "feline agility and lightness of touch" (New York Times), breaks new ground with the supposedly well known. Following his enormous success with WAVES, a tribute to French composers and nature themes, The Seasons now focuses on Tchaikovsky's and Liu's relationship with music. "For me, this is a moment to explore some personal emotion," the pianist says of his latest album, which envelops the Russian composer's intimate and profoundly poetic language with musical breathing space.

Selections recorded January 30 and February 3, 1991.

Classical Music

The Milken Archive of American Jewish Music is a vast recorded panorama of the rich body of Jewish music, both sacred and secular, that has developed over the course of American history. This abundant repertoire, in its remarkable breadth and diversity, not only reflects the history, evolution, and variety of the Jewish experience in America, but, by extension, attests to Jewish continuity and renewal through more than five millennia, revealing universal qualities that can speak to people of all faiths and cultures.

“To listen to its 19 selections...is to experience a sampling of the huge breadth of American Jewish music.” — Cantor Steven Blane, New Jersey Jewish Standard

“...provides a table of hors d’oeuvres for what is to come...Haskivenu...is particularly lovely. All of the performances here are top-notch.” — Jerry Dubins, Fanfare

“This will give you a taste - I underscore taste - of the works of 37 composers that are included in this marvelous collection of American Jewish music, a collection that is sure to become an important part of the recorded literature of all American music.” — Copley News Service

“It gives a good indication of the project’s production values: up-to-date engineering, full and scholarly notes by Neil W. Levin (the Archive’s Artistic Director), and translations...of sung material. The sampler also sketches out the aesthetic reach of the venture.” — Peter Rabinowitz, International Record Review

“The propulsive and dynamic Brubeck is powered along at full tilt crossed with a typically swaying Jewish accent. The down and dirty Hudl mint shtrudl is the equivalent of a racy song by George Formby—saucy and with a clarinet played scatty Chassidic for all it is worth as slippery as oil...[Milhaud’s Sacred Service] ...joyous...[Achron]...is music of the utmost inventive resource—full of colourful Technicolor rivalry among the instruments of the orchestra...[Weill’s The Etneral Road]...whispered serenity from the choir and a piannisimo solo violin rise to the disturbing suggestion of disillusion. Serenity reflects the God of the Israelites while the wilder beat reflects the followers of the golden calf. Eventually the joyous ‘calf tune’ is taken over by the Israelites to reflect an excited joy.” — Rob Barnett, MusicWeb-International.com

Click here to view all available releases in the Milken Archive Series at ArkivMusic.

The twelve volumes comprising The Complete Songs of Robert Burns remain the benchmark of all Burns songs recordings. This groundbreaking series took seven years to complete and involved over 80 musicians. Encompassing ballads and bawdy songs, patriotic and political anthems plus songs which bring Scottish people and places to life, these volumes touch all aspects of human nature and represent a vigorous folk tradition past and present. ‘...a delightful cornucopia of excellent, often hauntingly authentic performances.’ (BBC Music Magazine)

Classical Music

The 30th Anniversary edition of Springsteen's BORN TO RUN is being released in a special box set. Including HAMMERSMITH ODEON, London '75, a film of Bruce's 1975 concert in London, the new film WINGS FOR WHEELS: THE MAKING OF BORN TO RUN and the classic album remastered. Also a 48 page booklet of previously unpublished photographs.

3 CD/3 DVD. THE PROMISE: THE DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN STORY comprises over six hours of film and more than two hours of audio across 3 CDs and 3 DVDS. The music and film are packaged within an 80-page spiral-bound notebook containing facsimiles from Springsteen's own notebooks from the original recording session, which include alternate lyrics, song ideas, recordings details, and personal notes in addition to a new essay by Springsteen and never-before-seen photographs. Containing a wealth of previously unreleased material, THE PROMISE: THE DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN STORY offers an unprecedented look into Springsteen's creative process during a defining moment in his career.

This album is a retrospective that is a must-have for all lovers of musical theater. Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt first won fame as the creators of The Fantasticks- the longest-running musical in the history of the world, with more than 21,000 performances given in New York over a period of 58 years. But the Jones & Schmidt musicals also include Broadway classics such as "I Do! I Do!," "110 in the Shade," and "Celebration." Selections from these and 12 other shows are included in this deluxe release, which features many previously unreleased "demos" by the songwriters themselves. Jones & Schmidt worked closely with Producer Bill Rudman for over two years to ensure that this album would best represent their legacy. "The purpose of theater is always to reveal us to ourselves. To help us perceive the 'poetry' beneath the prose and the minutiae of our lives. To make us exalt. To make us feel. And not least of all, to make us laugh." (Tom Jones)

Classical Music

Bruce Liu, winner of the 2021 International Chopin Piano Competition and famous for his distinctive mix of "feline agility and lightness of touch" (New York Times), breaks new ground with the supposedly well known. Following his enormous success with WAVES, a tribute to French composers and nature themes, The Seasons now focuses on Tchaikovsky's and Liu's relationship with music. "For me, this is a moment to explore some personal emotion," the pianist says of his latest album, which envelops the Russian composer's intimate and profoundly poetic language with musical breathing space.

RHYTHM OF WINGS

ABOUT HOME

Alto saxophonist is joined by his friend Russell Gunn on his latest hard-bop album, produced by drummer Cecil Brooks III; Bruce shows versatility with tunes like the bluesy "Elijah's Blues," the swinging Parker-esque "Three Crows On Guard" & the unique take on "You Are So Beautiful"

Back in the studio for Savant Records, the versatile pianist with monster chops, Bruce Barth displays those traits which caused the Village Voice to proclaim that he is "one of the best pianists in town, period." His unique, Monk-tinged voicing, big tone and propulsive rhythmic drive sets his sound and style apart from any other pianist. Joined here again by vibist Steve Nelson and with trumpet/flugel phenom Terell Stafford on hand, Bruce offers a stimulating set list of a few standards alongside his always interesting originals.

Bruce Barth, despite his professorship at Temple University, is no stodgy jazz egghead. He is a working musician with an abundance of technique, a seemingly bottomless well of ideas and is a composer of considerable skill with a contemporary and inventive approach, with many of the works here being Barth originals. Barth's solos are witty and insightful while his innate harmonic sense makes him a perfect accompanist when backing solos by others. Joining the front line is the masterful vibes player Steve Nelson, who always swings hard, but also manages to play with a soulful lyricism.