The Beethoven Orchestra Bonn, the legitimate successor of the original 18th century Churcöllnische Hofkapelle, recreates the atmosphere of courtly musical culture from Beethoven’s youth, when aristocratic dilettantes and travelling soloists shared the stage with young virtuosos. Volume 2, with works by Reicha, Romberg and Wineberger in three-dimensional 2+2+2 format, immerses the listener in the natural acoustics of the original concert hall where these pieces were once premiered.

Andreas Späth was a clarinetist, a violinist, an organist, and a voice teacher as well as the city music director in Neuchâtel, the concertmaster of the Ducal Court Orchestra in Coburg, and an honorary member of the Swiss Music Society. His death at the ripe old age of eighty-five in 1876 marked the end of an active and richly varied musician’s life – so that it is hardly surprising that he wrote more than 150 compositions for a wide range of genres. Rita Karin Meier has explored Späth’s works for clarinet, his early main instrument, and teams up with the Galatea Quartet and Karl-Andreas Kolly for a long-overdue tribute to this composer who is entirely forgotten today.

The Nocturnes, the three Melodies, and the Elegy also very much reflect the character of romantic composition. The title of the last work in particular might mislead today’s listeners. Anything but melancholy and sorrowful, it tends more to the free form of a fantastic character piece and includes spirited polonaises. There is also more to the Melodies than the title might suggest; they are concertante duets elaborated with fine art. Meier, the principal clarinetist at the Zurich Opera, and Kolly present these works with wit and charm- in what is a highly rewarding discovery!

Works by Bach arranged by Max Reger for piano four hands with the warm; romantic timbre of the magnificent concert grand “Manfred Bürki” Steinway-D from 1901.

Falk and Schleiermacher once again prove to be the ideal interpreters of this multi-faceted music: from the smoky nightclub of the "Rue Chagrin" to the synagogue; past the children's playground to the cotton fields of America with hints of the blues - great art in a small form!

Mendelssohn, at age 14, is about to take the world of music by storm. Witness first hand the developmental process of one of the most outstanding personalities in the history of music.

Vorobjova's very personal "cantabile" collection from the extensive Scarlatti virtuosic harpsichord repertoire.

A double Haydn programme with passion and impact!

Conlon Nancarrow’s greatness and significance lie not in variety but in his deliberate focusing on the realization of time relations, with the player piano serving him as the ideal medium here. He thus anticipated by decades the possibilities offered today by computer music. The amount of time that had to be invested was enormous; for five minutes of music Nancarrow required many months of work. With his characteristic modesty he once said, “I’ve discovered a little musical niche, but I believe that I’ve explored it well.”

To the end Nancarrow lived in complete seclusion in Mexico City, where he had emigrated to following his return from fighting in the Spanish Civil War. He bequeathed to posterity a magnificent musical work in his fifty Studies for Player Piano, which is regarded by many as the “The Well-Tempered Clavier of the Twentieth Century.”

One of the most celebrated pianists of our time performs Schubert's posthumously published works for piano - remixed & remastered for Hybrid SACD.

For us all there will come a time when it is "enough” ("genug") on this earth. Composers through history explore this theme, fearfull yet hopefull in their belief in the afterlife.

Dramatic and expressive interpretation of Haydn, on a quest in a time before the "classical" sonata form had been established.

Star cellist Dai Miyata demonstrates the sheer power and passion of Piazzolla's Tangos.

Favourite selection of virtuosic, poetic guitar solos by the Catalan maestro.

French love songs: first love, wild passion, longing, wistful retrospection …

Superb performances by accomplished musicians from the Sächsische Staatskapelle