Macedonian composer and violinist Mihailo Trandafilovski is a performer-composer in the mold of Telemann, Bart�k, Joachim and Liszt. Like them, it is quite impossible to separate his compositional and instrumental imaginations, and he exhibits a swirling yet sold inter-dependence between the energies of each. His contribution to the violin is extraordinary; his violin-piano duos (sonatas in all but name), concerti, violin duos, chamber works and pedagogical works are gifts for audiences and players alike. Previous recordings of his works have attracted glowing reviews around the world. The mix of chamber and duo works here also, according to the composer, relate to his whole life journey and relationship with the violin. Top performers on the album include the Kreutzer Quartet, in which Sk�rved and the composer are the violinists. All works here are receiving their first recording.

Marilyn Nonken is without doubt one of the leading exponents of modern piano music, and also Director of Piano Studies at New York University's Steinhardt School. She has a particular affinity with the spectral school of music, as exemplified in her previous CD of the works of Tristan Murail (92097) - Metier's best seller. This sequel features a major (half-hour-long) work by another of the founding generation of spectral music, Hugues Dufourt, and awesome pieces by young American composer Joshua Fineberg.

One of the most original of contemporary British composers, Fox wrote all these pieces in response to the work of other artists, whether as a result of inspiration or by meeting and working with them. You, us, me itself, for example, is based on the Habanera from Bizet's "Carmen". The disc includes songs, and pieces for piano solo and piano with tape, and shows the wide variety of Fox's styles including jazz.

METIER's third CD dedicated to the "impressive, thoughtful, entertaining and extremely varied" [Sunday Times] music of Christopher Fox. Fox brings music for solo cello into the modern age - his sometimes microtonic, sometimes lyrical, writing demands especial skill and virtuosity from the performer - ably provided by Lukoszieveze. Fox, for those in the know, is one of the foremost contemporary composers in the UK - see other Metier CDs of his music.

This CD features some of the most distinctive personalities in the contemporary New York scene including the legendary Daniel Carter (sax, trumpet) who has been a leading light in the avant-garde since the early 70s and has featured on well over 100 recordings. Claire DeBrunner is an accomplished bassoonist with a classical as well as jazz training, and is one of very few musicians to play the bassoon in improvisational music. Ken Silverman plays guitar and hand percussion, and bassist Tom Zlabinger is an ever present in the free jazz worlds of New York and Vienna. (Detailed bios: click 'artist profile' above). on this album the quartet aim to create a freely improvised chamber-music-like sound without drums, allowing for total rhythmic flexibility and sonic complexity. Although the music can become intense it's general tendency is towards the delicate, subtle and intimate. A warm sound for warm evenings.

British music for voice and piano, all written between 1970 and 1998, by the cream of contemporary composers; one of the best selling Metier titles in the digital download format.

Major works for solo violin by leading modern composers, a tour de force of skilful and virtuosic musicianship.

For many years Craven has exclusively focused his attention upon the techniques associated with his Non-Prescriptive style of music which, in essence, seeks to realign the relationship between composer and performer. On the rare occasions that his music has been performed live, it has been received with great appreciation by the audiences and artists involved. A sought-after interpreter of new music, Mary Dullea has been the curator of Soundings, an annual UK/Austrian collaborative new music festival, since 2008 and in February 2015 will serve on the jury of “Schubert und die Musik der Moderne” International Chamber Music Competition in Graz, Austria.

The first of three Metier CDs (so far) featuring the Piano Sonatas of Sir Michael Tippett alongside contemporary works, each with a different performer.

Fine songs by British composers, with a slightly unusual instrumentation (recorder, cello and harpsichord) rather than the usual piano! Full texts included.

Nigel Clarke identifies himself with the virtuoso performer, and with the spirit of innovation, exploration and textural ambiguity. Utilising advanced aleatoric techniques and demanding that his performers "push the envelope", he produces fascinating pieces indeed.

British composer Jeffrey Lewis has produced some absolutely stunning music - modernist in some ways but always reaching out to the listener - deeply spiritual and hauntingly beautiful, especially the wonderful Silentia Noctis for soprano and piano. Anyone wanting a perfect introduction to the best ofr contemporary music should look no further.

Two composers with very contrasted sound-worlds, but brought together in the piano pieces on this album - the fascination of many composers from early days to the present with musical mechanisms (such as the metronome march in Beethoven's Eighth Symphony). This CD with a variety of works for different instruments is a good introduction to contemporary music.

On this release, seven works composed between 2003 and 2017 are featured, each of which are characterized by an overall subdued, laid-back character, quietness and strong relations to several aspects of Japanese culture- from literature, haiku, Noh dance and the use of the sho. The Japanese aesthetic permeates all and creates a deep and lasting impression. Greek composer Basil Athanasiadis lived and studied in Tokyo to become immersed in the culture. Since moving to England he has founded the unique musical ensemble Shonorities - a diverse group of performers and composers that blends various cultures with principal emphasis on Greece and Japan. The soloists are all highly accomplished and successful in their own right and contribute to one of the most individual and beautiful albums of the year.

Both composers represented on this album are well respected members of the new music scene both with 40 years of experience behind them; they are also husband and wife. They also share a passion for nature which is reflected in their music. David Lumsdaine, though now living in England, is Australia’s senior composer. His music is wonderfully dramatic and wide ranging; Nicola LeFanu has been for many years a leading figure in Women in Music; her mother Elizabeth Maconchy was also a very highly respected composer. The ensemble Gemini has been associated with both composers for decades; introducing new works from both of them to the repertoire. This album is being released to celebrate Nicola’s 70th birthday and (belatedly) David’s 85th. All the works are recorded here for the first time and will demonstrate why their work is still considered fresh, vibrant and relevant.