This album celebrates the work of Thomas Ades, one of Britain's 'most imaginative composers' The Guardian, and Artist-in-Residence of the Halle (2023-25). Alongside a survey of his recent works for orchestra are two pieces by composers who have been championed by Ades. Conducted by Thomas Ades, 'one of the most accomplished and complete musicians of his generation' (New York Times) this album features three world premiere recordings, including Ades' Aquifer. Taking it's name from an underground geological structure through which water seeps and flows, the work features orchestral writing which is full of colour and movement, flamboyant climaxes and rich expression. Written during the first Covid lockdown, for an orchestra that had to play socially distanced, Dawn is constructed from a slowly unfolding passacaglia which passes between instruments, depicting the sunrise moving continuously around the world, in music of sonic beauty. Repetition is also at the heart of Shanty, as material is passed between orchestral voices, with hypnotic and captivating results. In contrast, ingenious use of imitation and repetition produce a gripping effect in the invigorating brass fanfare Tower. Premiere recordings of two works closely associated with the Halle complete this album. Leith's Cartoon Sun, described as 'mesmeric' (The Arts Desk), was commissioned by the Halle. The processional piece displays a rich soundscape, coloured with large tolling bells and stunning orchestral climaxes. The Halle and Ades gave the world premiere of William Marsey's Man with Limp Wrist' in 2023. Inspired by a Salman Toor oil painting and with writing which is rooted in historical melody and harmony, the music is full of emotion and expression. Thomas Ades, CBE: internationally acclaimed composer, pianist and conductor whose work has been presented in leading concert halls and opera houses worldwide. Recordings of his works have received numerous international awards and in 2024 Ades received the prestigious Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal from Sir Simon Rattle, who described him as being an 'outrageously gifted' musician.

Reflections Op. 28: Mallorca preludes marks the debut album of classical concert pianist Egle Andrejevaite. In 2016, the Chopin Festival of Valldemossa commissioned 24 esteemed contemporary Spanish composers to create responses to Chopin's 24 preludes. The strength of this recording project lies in reconnecting the essence of �these "sublime" and intense inspirations within the contemporary context.�The goal was to foster a�rigorous comparison between historical inspiration and modern creativity.? ?

In spite of the predominance of the opera in Italy during the nineteenth century, chamber music and symphonic music had never died out in the musical world. The "father of the opera" had a mastery of instrumental effects and a command of formal balance that made it possible for him to nourish his music with instrumental inspiration coming from chamber music. And the succession of Rossini, Donizetti, Bellini and Verdi, side by side with the new generations of Ponchielli, Catalani, Mancinelli, down to Puccini, Perosi and Mascagni, created the preconditions for the birth and development of the chamber-music genre. This was strengthened also by some chamber-music and vocal influences that had even antagonised the domination of belcanto and operatic singing. Though never actually becoming an attention-seeking attitude, creativeness, a majestic jargon that appeared in many composers ranging from Corelli to Paganini, from Scarlatti to Clementi and many others, became such a noble, brilliant language as to stand out as an original, lofty expression in the crowded maelstrom of operatic theatre. As admirable examples of this we can mention the quartets of Cherubini and Donizetti, that were splendidly assimilated by Bazzini, reaching the original examples of the contributions of Sgambati and Martucci, which appeared a few decades before the creative works of Marco Enrico Bossi. Giulio Giurato and Roberto Noferini conclude with this production the complete publication of Marco Enrico Bossi's chamber music (Tactus tc 822704, 822606, 822707).

Returning to the roots of classical masterpieces: this is the mission of Zuzanna Sosnowska and pianist Magi Garcias on their GENUIN debut album titled "I'm Volkston" (In Folk Style). The duo explores the rich diversity of folk music from three distinct centuries and cultures, reflected in three masterworks for cello and piano. The internationally sought-after Sosnowska-Garcias Duo performs Robert Schumann's enchanting "Stucke i'm Volkston", Manuel de Falla's sun-drenched "Siete Canciones Populares Espa�olas", and Fazil Say's powerful musical portraits of Turkish cities, the sonata "Four Cities" (Dort Sehir). This moving collection of significant chamber music speaks from the heart and resonates deeply with listeners.

Dvorak's symphonic poems are fascinating works because they offer a perfect combination of colourful orchestration, lively narrative art and deeply rooted Czech folk music tradition. The poems recorded here, 'The Water Goblin' (1896), 'The Midday Witch' (1896) and 'The Golden Spinning Wheel' (1896), in particular, demonstrate the composer's ability to paint musical pictures and tell stories in a haunting way.

The piano Duo FourTe - Eva-Maria Weinreich and Tomohito Nakaishi - presents it's debut album with GENUIN, unveiling a fresh perspective on Franz Liszt's symphonic poems, rendered with the monumental resonance of two concert grand pianos. Liszt himself transcribed his groundbreaking orchestral works for piano - both for two pianos and for four hands. Drawing from all three versions, the internationally acclaimed German-Japanese Duo FourTe has crafted a richly textured and colorful arrangement for two pianos, bringing Liszt's orchestral splendor and opulent sound world as close to the original as possible - a symphonic flight across 176 keys!

A refined Lieder recital focused on the fascinating figure of Alma Mahler. All main composers of Vienna at the outset of the 20th century are represented. An unprecedented flourishing of musical and artistic talents concentrated at that time in the Austro-Hungarian empire capital. Third recording on Challenge Classics by raising star baritone Raoul Steffani. Previous releases: CC 72865 with Magdalena Kozena. Classica (FR): Raoul Steffani demonstrates a style and a diction always impeccable. He vocally masters all these lieder which often seek the top of the register and bring a lot of colors. CC 72785, American Record Guide (USA): This is an exceptionally fine debut recording for an already well-developed singer.

This CD brings together some particularly attractive compositions written for Karlsruhe by the court conductors and musicians of the margraves of Baden. The pieces convey an impression of the rich and lively musical life in Karlsruhe from the early 18th to the early 19th century, which in no way needs to shy away from comparison with south-west German musical metropolises such as Mannheim or Stuttgart.

Modern guitar music, played by one of the best German guitarists with a particular preference for music of the 20th and 21st centuries

Their second album of 2025, and their 11th album with Signum Records, baroque giants La Serenissima return with an album of works by composers including Telemann, Sieber, Durante, and Brescianello. The album explores how their styles changed and developed as they 'crossed borders' between Italy, Germany, France and other European countries. Vivaldi', La Serenissima is 'one of Britain's best-loved chamber orchestras' (The Telegraph) known for their outstanding performances, championing a host of neglected Italian baroque composers. Uniquely, the group's entire repertoire is edited from source material by founder and violinist, Adrian Chandler OSI.

If you make a new album you should call it: DREAM SEQUENCE!� I hope 'Dream Sequence' brings you into a personal space of sound, groove and beauty.

Rooted in the Mandinka idea that history and ancestry shape identity and guide the future, Tona reflects on Kadialy Kouyate's rich heritage as a Kouyate griot and his distinctive style of kora playing, shaped via his life history thus far. With gratitude for the past and optimism for the future, Kadialy continues to refine his artistry, weaving tradition with personal expression.

Musical individuality rather than symbiotic fusion: on historical instruments, but with the greatest expressive freedom, the musical details of Beethoven, Schubert, and Vorisek's works from early-nineteenth-century Vienna speak directly to the listener.

Shostakovich: String Quartets, Vol. 4

Georg Philipp Telemann is undoubtedly one of the composers who wrote the most parts for the recorder. No wonder, as he had mastered the instrument since his childhood and provided it with rewarding parts not only in chamber music, but also in orchestral and vocal works. The young Portuguese recorder player Joao Francisco Tavora studied in Porto and Leipzig and presents works for recorder by Telemann in various scorings, which show off his extraordinary playing technique and interpretative skills to their best advantage.