Jean Francaux In Concert

Selections recorded June and October, 1991 at the Jesus-Christ Kirche in Berlin and at Siemensvilla, Berlin.

Classical Music

[Villa Lobos] 'incorporates nationalistic musical elements of Brazil along with melodic, lullaby-like themes, to make a truly contrasting and interesting three-movement work.' (Classic FM) 'Brazilian sonorities and rhythms are a perfect match for the saxophone' (WFMT) [Glazunov] 'persistence paid off for Raschèr, who badgered Glazunov to write him a concerto. The Russian relented and the result - three short, pleasingly lyrical movements - was premiered by Raschèr' (BBC Music Magazine) 'Glaznov's Quartet is a foundational piece for the instrument' (WFMT)

Renowned pedagogue and hugely popular performing personality, Josef Gingold made very few commercial recordings. This album presents him at his best, chosen carefully from various broadcasts and 78s

The legendary Syrinx Quintet performs wind quintets by Françaix, Hindemith, Ibert, and Taffanel on this critically acclaimed recording. The individual instruments merge with a rarely heard homogeneity to create an ensemble sound that is unrivaled.

Celebrated British pianist Martin Jones recorded the complete piano music of Jean Francaix (1912-1997) in 2012 on 3 CDs. This is a compilation of his best music, in which wit, sophistication and extreme virtuosity combine in one of the twentieth century's instantly recognisable voices.

Wind Piano Trios brings together four outstanding works for oboe, bassoon, and piano, performed by the Tr�o Ausi�s March, one of Spain's most active chamber ensembles for contemporary and 20th-century repertoire. This release offers a compelling journey through nearly a century of music, from the neoclassical elegance of Francis Poulenc and Jean Fran�aix to the stylistic openness of Andr� Previn and the vibrant contemporary voice of Jorge Santos. At the heart of the programme stands Poulenc's Trio FP 43 (1926), a cornerstone of the repertoire, combining wit, lyricism, and refined harmonic colour. Fran�aix's late Trio (1994) displays his unmistakable blend of clarity, humour, and rhythmic vitality, while Previn's Trio (1994) introduces jazz-inflected rhythms and cinematic lyricism, reflecting his unique crossover between classical, jazz, and film music. The programme concludes with Jorge Santos's Trio (2001), a work that fuses contemporary techniques with Latin and jazz influences, adding a distinctive modern perspective. Recorded at the Auditorio Manuel de Falla in Granada, this album combines artistic excellence with outstanding sound quality. Wind Piano Trios is an attractive release for distributors seeking high-level chamber music, strong repertoire value, and a balance between established masterpieces and contemporary works.

This was something I'd had in mind for a long time..." says pianist Alexandre Tharaud, "to put together an album for the sheer pleasure of it, in collaboration with dear friends and paying tribute to the wonders of the piano duet repertoire." The aptly named 4 Hands offers 18 tracks, each just a few minutes in length, each featuring Tharaud sharing a piano keyboard with a different partner. The repertoire ranges wide - from Bach to Glass by way of such composers as Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Grieg, Fauré, Satie, Debussy, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, Ravel, and Piazzolla. 15 of Tharaud's fellow performers are celebrated pianists - among them the late Nicholas Angelich, Mariam Batsashvili, Bertrand Chamayou, David Fray, Víkingur Ólafsson, and Beatrice Rana. The other three, all stars in their musical fields, are shown in a new, pianistic light: cellist Gautier Capuçon, countertenor Philippe Jaroussky and singer-songwriter Juliette. "The piano duet is one of life's miracles," continues Tharaud. "First and foremost, it is the most intimate way of playing chamber music... It was a joy to record this album... If hearing these pieces prompts people to buy some sheet music and enjoy playing duets together - just as we did in the recording studio - then I will have achieved my aim.