The Orchestre National de Lyon and it's new musical director Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider have embarked on a collaboration with Channel Classics, which will involve several recordings combining the great works of the repertoire with lesser-known pieces. Recognised as one of the pre-eminent violinists of our time, Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider has developed an international career as a conductor, now leading some of the world's greatest orchestras. On this album, Strauss & Ibert, violist Amihai Grosz and cellist Jian Wang take on the musical roles of Sancho Panza and Don Quixote in Strauss's virtuoso tone poem Don Quixote. The symphonic suite from Jaques Ibert's Le chevalier errant also depicts moments from Cervantes' Don Quixote, replete with scenes from the knight's adventures including the famous battle in The Windmills, the Dance of the Galley Slaves and various dances including a flamenco.

Of all the great composers of classical modernism, Bartok undoubtedly made the most significant contributions to violin chamber music. The Latvian-Armenian violinist Georg Sargsyan and the Australian pianist James Maddox present two major works from this repertoire. The piano sonata, the only contribution to the genre in the composer's otherwise extensive piano oeuvre, rounds off the program.

For many centuries, Georgia has been a country in which different ethnicities and religions have lived side by side: Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Jews, Christians and Muslims. This multicultural environment has influenced Josef Bardanashvili's style in the direction of pluralism, eclecticism and tolerance towards musical cultures. This openness can also be felt in each of the works on this CD.

American Classics - Songs on Poems by Emily Dickinson, Louisa May Alcott and Walt Whitman

On the eve of a vigorous eightieth birthday, the most French of American musicians has chosen the Mus�e de la musique to assemble a host of young artists who are dear to him: William Christie has watched over their budding skills, and they have already become masters. This program celebrates the composers he has so passionately championed and, in some cases, brought back to life.

Mark A. Miller has a passion for building community through music and believes everyone is a child of God. His music has been called the soundtrack for a new generation to express and celebrate hospitality, equity, and justice. The music of Mark Miller heard on this recording is widely published and sung by communities of faith around the world. "Mark Miller, composer, minister, professor, and musical griot, is carrying on the tradition of creating New World hymns for a nation hungry for songs that speak to the head, heart, and crisis of modern living. He reminds us, hope will never fail, even when anguish and apathy seem to prevail across the landscape of our country." (Otis Moss III, Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, IL)

Under the title "Kaleidoskop Europa", this CD presents a musical journey that encompasses the entirety of Europe. Central to the album is the concept of dance as a medium that both connects people via music and body language, and also motivates them to express themselves with one another, regardless of national origin, language, religion or culture. The album features dances from eleven different European countries, commencing and concluding the musical journey in Vienna-the home of both the ensemble and the painter Ferdinand Georg Waldmuller. By combining pieces of music from different countries, dance emerges as a symbol of the unity found within Europe's diverse cultures. All compositions are arranged for piano trio, with the exception of the opening march by Fritz Kreisler, which was originally composed for this instrumentation. Some arrangements were made by Martin Forst, the cellist of the trio, specifically for this production, thus leading to their premiere presentation on this CD. Through these adaptations, works originally composed for piano or orchestra take on a new form: the auditory experience is enhanced by numerous dimensions-particularly regarding color richness and transparency - revealing intriguing and novel facets of the compositions to listeners.

Each country in South America has over the centuries produced varied popular traditions and distinctive dance rhythms. These include the vivacious and zestful Brazilian choro, as well as the Argentinian tango, of which we hear an example from 'the father of the tango', angel Villoldo. French composer Roland Dyens contributes Bresils, his refined tribute to the musical landscape of Brazil. The Guitalian Quartet have arranged Arturo Marquez's popular Danzon No. 2 along with several other vibrant and evocative pieces from Brazil, Argentina and Mexico.

World premiere recordings of three new important choral works by American composers Richard Einhorn, Gilda Lyons and Joseph Turrin. The Musica Viva NY Choir and Orchestra make their Naxos debut with these recordings, conducted by their artistic director Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez.

Blagoje Bersa belonged to Croatian Musical Modernism, which lasted from about 1890 to 1920, enriching the musical heritage with new nuances in harmony and sound colour. He composed orchestral, choral, chamber and piano works, as well as operas, melo-monodramas and songs. Marija Kuntaric wrote: "In the songs we meet Bersa as a pronounced Romantic, whose language had been formed by the various currents of this style in music. First of all, this was the cantabile Italian melody, then the various masters of German Romanticism (Wagner, Mahler, R. Strauss) and the relaxed music of Vienna, and in later works the simplicity of folk art. The softness of the melodic line of Bersa's solo songs sometimes recalls Schubert, under the influence of whom several pages of dramatic excitement were also created. Over the course of time Bersa's melody became increasingly original and simple, and in essence he remained a romantic, the main feature of whom was the beauty of the lyric."

When Georg Friedrich Handel's Messiah first premiered on the European continent, 24 years had passed since it's debut. On August 6, 1768, Il Messia brought "il caro Sassone" (the dear Saxon) back posthumously to the land of his early triumphs. Before the memorable performance in Florence's Palazzo Pitti could take place, the content had to be adapted to Catholic doctrines and the expansive form to national customs. Abate Antonio Pillori achieved this in collaboration with tenor and composer Salvatore Pazzaglia. The result was incredible: their Messia is so well-abridged and singable in Italian that the compact form, recorded two years ago at the Innsbruck Festival, could be considered an authentic version that Handel himself might have produced if needed.

Discover the innovative sound of Kavall, a groundbreaking solo artist and composer who redefines the boundaries of music and art. With a unique blend of film scores and multimedia art installations, Kavall has made his mark in the world of contemporary music. In 2018, he introduced the world to "As if the Air Was Grainy Substance," an album showcasing the mesmerizing tones of his self-developed instrument, Monolo. Kavall's talent extends beyond albums; his compositions have breathed life into award-winning documentaries and captivating art installations. In 2019, he launched the revolutionary Spatial Guitar format, captivating audiences with immersive performances at prestigious venues and festivals around the globe. Kavall's latest work takes listeners on a transformative journey where melody and movement converge. Imagine a composition that doesn't just play around you but envelops you-a physical space where you can exist within the very elements that momentarily become the music. This is the essence of "inmitten" (amidst), born from the desire to be physically inside the music, intuitively shaping this sonic environment with the instrument. At the heart of this experience is a new kind of instrument: a spatially playable guitar with independent voices. This innovation redefines what solo guitar can be, transforming every aspect of performing, recording, and experiencing music. For Kavall, this is more than just a new sound; it's a complete transformation as a composer and player. Spatial Guitar offers a multidimensional experience, where the listener becomes immersed in the music. The compositions are informed by embodied sensations-circulating textures, musical pulses, and a poetic minimalism that invites you to explore the intricate layers of spatially distributed chords and slowly unfolding melodies. From the live performances set within a hexagon of speakers and audio-reactive lights to the recorded form of this album, the instrument's sound evolves in close interaction with it's surroundings, creating a deep connection with the listener. Now that this vision has come to life, Kavall shares, "This is what I always imagined my instrument to sound like. I hope you enjoy exploring this musical space as much as I do." Experience the artistry of Kavall, where innovation meets emotion, and sound becomes a transformative journey. Don't miss the chance to explore the world of Kavall's music-where each note invites you into a new dimension of sonic exploration.

Friedrich Theodor Frohlich: Johannes & Esther (Ian Bostridge, Julius Drake) Friedrich Theodor Frohlich (1803-1836), long disregarded, is now seen as the most important Swiss composer of the Early Romantic era. He left a large number of music manuscripts, which disappeared into private hands and were soon forgotten, though most of them have survived. His works are now being increasingly rediscovered and made available to listeners.

BREAKDOWN LANE: FREE SOLOS & DUOS 1976-1998

Discover the innovative sound of Kavall, a groundbreaking solo artist and composer who redefines the boundaries of music and art. With a unique blend of film scores and multimedia art installations, Kavall has made his mark in the world of contemporary music. In 2018, he introduced the world to "As if the Air Was Grainy Substance," an album showcasing the mesmerizing tones of his self-developed instrument, Monolo. Kavall's talent extends beyond albums; his compositions have breathed life into award-winning documentaries and captivating art installations. In 2019, he launched the revolutionary Spatial Guitar format, captivating audiences with immersive performances at prestigious venues and festivals around the globe. Kavall's latest work takes listeners on a transformative journey where melody and movement converge. Imagine a composition that doesn't just play around you but envelops you-a physical space where you can exist within the very elements that momentarily become the music. This is the essence of "inmitten" (amidst), born from the desire to be physically inside the music, intuitively shaping this sonic environment with the instrument. At the heart of this experience is a new kind of instrument: a spatially playable guitar with independent voices. This innovation redefines what solo guitar can be, transforming every aspect of performing, recording, and experiencing music. For Kavall, this is more than just a new sound; it's a complete transformation as a composer and player. Spatial Guitar offers a multidimensional experience, where the listener becomes immersed in the music. The compositions are informed by embodied sensations-circulating textures, musical pulses, and a poetic minimalism that invites you to explore the intricate layers of spatially distributed chords and slowly unfolding melodies. From the live performances set within a hexagon of speakers and audio-reactive lights to the recorded form of this album, the instrument's sound evolves in close interaction with it's surroundings, creating a deep connection with the listener. Now that this vision has come to life, Kavall shares, "This is what I always imagined my instrument to sound like. I hope you enjoy exploring this musical space as much as I do." Experience the artistry of Kavall, where innovation meets emotion, and sound becomes a transformative journey. Don't miss the chance to explore the world of Kavall's music-where each note invites you into a new dimension of sonic exploration.