Manneke's intention and motivation to write a substantial piano work were partly inspired by six eminent musicians, to each of whom he dedicated a part: Ralph van Raat [I], Geoffrey Madge [II], Kelvin Grout [III], Hannes Minnaar [IV], Jelena Bazova [V] and Daniël Kramer [VI]. Over time, Daan Manneke has designed a composition concept that has fascinated and inspired him for many years. The Archipel concept: 'islands' located close to each other, each with their individual manner of existence. Through exchanges and connections, they sometimes more or less lose their individuality and acquire a hybrid character. This osmosis can generate new properties and dynamics. Conversely, islands can become isolated, decay or disappear entirely. Grote Archipel consists of six parts, which can also be performed separately. Rather than a decorative-illustrative atmospheric drawing, it is an abstract work based on universal situations. Meaningful metaphors include approaching-disappearing, disintegrating-connecting, status quo, variety and, always, the iso-rhythmic clock loops. Manneke's key motto is s p a c e. Grote Archipel is a tribute to the Province of Zeeland: Luctor et Emergo!

Dmitri Shostakovich’s long-lost Impromptu for Viola and Piano, Op. 33, recently unearthed in the Moscow State Archives, receives here its world-premiere recording on Matthew Lipman’s Ascent, the acclaimed young American violist’s solo debut album, featuring, in the artist’s words, “music enraptured by flights of fantasy.”

Recipient of a 215 Avery Fisher Career Grant, Lipman has created an album of uplifting and spiritually transcendent works for viola and piano, dedicated to his late mother. Hailed by The New York Times for his “rich tone and elegant phrasing,” Lipman is heard in the world-premiere recording of Clarice Assad’s fantasy piece, Metamorfose, which the violist commissioned. It’s a poignant commentary on grief and acceptance. Robert Schumann’s Fairy Tale Pictures is dreamlike and fanciful. York Bowen’s richly expressive Phantasy draws on the Russian Romantic tradition. Garth Knox’s free-flying Fuga libre transfigures Bach-like fugal fragments through modern, coloristic performance techniques. The album’s finale is the first-ever recording on viola of Hollywood composer Franz Waxman’s popular violin showpiece, Carmen Fantasie. England’s The Telegraph praised Lipman as “gifted with poise and a warmth of timbre” for his recording of Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante with violinist Rachel Barton Pine, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, and Sir Neville Marriner (Avie), which topped the Billboard classical chart. Lipman’s collaborator on Ascent is pianist Henry Kramer, winner of the Second Prize at the 216 Queen Elisabeth competition and top prizes at the 215 Honens International Piano Competition and 211 Montreal International Music Competition. His first commercial recording, dedicated to Liszt oratorio transcriptions, was recently released on Naxos.

Der Freischutz has since it's premiere been an indispensable part of the operatic repertory, possibly never more significantly than for the Dresden Opera. This exceptional addition to the Semperoper Edition, recorded in 1951, is presented as an historic recording of the 1000th performance of the work by Dresen Opera. This production was undertaken with the utmost care and attention to detail, focusing on ultimate fidelity to the composer's intention. An edition for all time.