Inspired by the power and clarity of an extraordinary instrument handcrafted by a legendary guitarrero from Granada, guitar virtuoso Stephen Marchionda presents his very own personal versions of Bach's Sonata in A Minor and the Suite in E Major; and together with the Lute Suite BWV 997 he has created an album that masterfully combines polyphonic intimacy with sonorous opulence.

Hardly any other keyboard instrument is as multi-faceted in it's expression and affect as the clavichord. The extremely simple, direct action allows for the finest nuances - even vibrato is possible. Lea Suter showcases these unique capabilities, demonstrating the wealth of inspiration in such well-known works as Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue, Partita in E Minor and even the grandiose Chaconne in D Minor.

There is never a shortage of surprises with Joseph Haydn. The Leipzig String Quartet's latest instalment, Opus 2, of their benchmark complete recording of all Haydn's string quartets offers unexpected, unusual and always entertaining moments, presented with virtuosity and mastery by a quartet that combines curiosity and experience to create a delightful whole.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Brahms, Johannes: Variations and Fugue on a theme by Handel op. 24 Reger, Max: Variations and Fugue on a theme by J.S. Bach op. 81 A multigenerational project of a special kind: Friedrich Wilhelm Schnurr goes back far enough to have studied with the piano legends Alfred Cortot and Wilhelm Kempff. As a dedicated teacher of world rank, he himself has continued to leave his mark on generations of pianists through to the present. Many of his outstanding pupils have gone on to occupy prestigious professorships throughout the world. MDG is now rereleasing a recording from the 1980s showing us Schnurr as an energetic, gripping interpreter. Variations on themes by Handel and Bach form his musical topic: Johannes Brahms and Max Reger also knew what sort of predecessors they had! Handel himself based a variation movement on his dancy and simple theme. What the young Brahms did with it, however, is sensational. Although he adheres very closely to the original in formal matters, a gigantic cosmos of musical characters and expressive levels unfolds. It is fascinating how Schnurr develops this most highly compressed and concentrated music through to the mighty concluding fugue. Max Reger chose an instrumental prelude from a Bach cantata as the pretext for his variation cycle. Unlike Brahms, however, after a few paraphrases he strayed far from his point of departure. Already the third variation is a very free, contemplative fantasy surprising us with it's sudden dynamic outbursts. Reger too concludes with an extraordinary fugue. Already the initial subject is brimming with chromaticism, and when the second subject enters later on, the result is a double fugue of colossal dimensions.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart must have felt bored to death in small-town Salzburg! Fortunately, his ambitious father regularly gave him the opportunity to experience big-time action. On extended concert tours he introduced his genial son at courts and in salons, and the boy took advantage of his absence from the Prince Archbishop's court to absorb all sorts of impressions for use in his own music. It was on his travels to Italy and to imperial Vienna that he composed the thirteen string quartets featured on this edition by the Leipzig String Quartet - now in its second volume...and to be continued! The Leipzig String Quartet explores the youthful composer's discovery drive with audible joy. Historically informed and with bows proper to the period of the quartets' composition, the four musicians are ready to enjoy playing with chamber music's surprises. Not at all academic and far from any kind of historicizing dogmatism, they generate listening pleasure and suspense - so that we can hardly wait for the third volume!

To celebrate early music pioneer Anthony Rooley's 80th birthday, a very special jewel sparkles in MDG's "Preziosa" series: "Il Primo Libro de Madrigali" is Johann Grabbe's masterpiece. The Consort of Musicke's debut recording received the highest international acclaim, delighting critics and enthusiasts alike. This definitive new edition of their breathtaking interpretation also gives hilarious behind-the-scenes insights at the musical mischief of this legendary vocal ensemble.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music