Observer l'histoire de l'humanite � partir des forets, c'est la perspective enthousiasmante que propose le journaliste, conferencier et essayiste Laurent Testot, qui s'inscrit dans le courant recent et novateur de l'histoire environnementale. L'auteur retrace l'histoire de l'humanite, depuis la formation des premiers empires de l'Antiquite romaine, chinoise et indienne, jusqu'aux societes medievales et modernes, en explorant le lien qu'elles ont entretenu avec leu environnement et leurs forets. On decouvre que, des les debuts de l'histoire humaine, des societes ont rapidement epuise leurs ressources, ce qui a souvent contribue de maniere significative � leur declin, voire � leur disparition. Les forets constituent des ecosystemes vivants d'une grande complexite, essentiels pour garantir l'habitabilite de notre planete. L'auteur prend le pari qu'un enseignement de l'histoire des forets nous permettra de relever les defis environnementaux contemporains. Claude COLOMBINI et Patrick FReMEAUX Journalist, lecturer and essayist Laurent Testot offers an exciting perspective on the history of mankind from the perspective of the forest, as part of a recent and innovative trend in environmental history. The author traces the history of mankind, from the formation of the first empires of Roman, Chinese and Indian antiquity, to medieval and modern societies, exploring their relationship with the environment and their forests. We discover that, from the very beginnings of human history, societies rapidly depleted their resources, often contributing significantly to their decline or even disappearance. Forests are highly complex living ecosystems, essential to ensuring the habitability of our planet. The author takes the gamble that learning about the history of forests will enable us to meet contemporary environmental challenges. Claude COLOMBINI and Patrick FReMEAUX CD1 : PARCOURIR LES FOReTS, LEUR HISTOIRE ET LEUR eCOLOGIE - LE MeTABOLISME DE L'ARBRE - L'EMPIRE MAURYA - LES ROMAINS ET LES THERMES - L'HISTOIRE CYCLIQUE CHINOISE - L'HISTOIRE DE L'AMAZONIE. CD2 : LES FOReTS MeDIeVALES - LA DYNASTIE SONG - LES FOReTS DU NOUVEAU MONDE - LES FOReTS ET LA DOMINATION MARITIME - LES FOReTS � LA VEILLE DE L'INDUSTRIALISATION CD3 - LES FOReTS SOUS LA ReVOLUTION ET LA RESTAURATION - REBOISER L'EUROPE, DeFORESTER LES TROPIQUES - L'EXPERTISE FORESTIeRE JAPONAISE - LES CHOIX POLITIQUES AUTOUR DE LA FOReT AU XXE SIeCLE - UN ENSEIGNEMENT DE L'HISTOIRE DES FOReTS. CONCEPTION COLLECTION : CLAUDE COLOMBINI & PATRICK FReMEAUX

Les Presses Universitaires de France et Fremeaux & Associes proposent cette biographie de Leonard de Vinci, analysee et expliquee par Pascal Brioist, professeur d'histoire moderne � l'Universite de Tours et membre du Centre d'etudes superieures de la Renaissance. Leonard de Vinci est l'une des figures les plus emblematiques de la Renaissance. Fils illegitime prive de formation universitaire, son approche autodidacte dans quantites de domaines garantit l'originalite de cet esprit universel qui fut bien plus que l'auteur de La Joconde ou l'inventeur de machines volantes. Il fut egalement un anatomiste de renom, un ingenieur, un philosophe, un architecte et un inventeur. Sa capacite � exceller dans des domaines varies montre un esprit curieux qui transcendait les conventions de son epoque, remettant en question les certitudes et ne reconnaissant d'autre autorite que celle de l'experience. Pascal Brioist nous presente le parcours de ce personnage hors du commun, dans le contexte politique, culturel et scientifique de la Renaissance italienne. Leonard de Vinci nous a laisse un heritage qui va bien au-del� de ses oeuvres et don't la vision novatrice a influence des generations de scientifiques, d'artistes et de penseurs. Claude COLOMBINI FReMEAUX Presses Universitaires de France and Fremeaux & Associes offer this biography of Leonardo da Vinci, analyzed and explained by Pascal Brioist, Professor of Modern History at the University of Tours and member of the Centre d'etudes superieures de la Renaissance. Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most emblematic figures of the Renaissance. An illegitimate son deprived of a university education, his self-taught approach in many fields guarantees the originality of this universal mind who was much more than the author of the Mona Lisa or the inventor of flying machines. He was also a renowned anatomist, engineer, philosopher, architect and inventor. His ability to excel in a variety of fields demonstrates an inquisitive mind that transcended the conventions of his time, questioning certainties and recognizing no authority other than that of experience. Pascal Brioist presents the career of this extraordinary man, set against the political, cultural and scientific backdrop of the Italian Renaissance. Leonardo da Vinci's legacy goes far beyond his works, and his innovative vision has influenced generations of scientists, artists and thinkers. Claude COLOMBINI FReMEAUX CD1 : STATUT FAMILIAL - APPRENTISSAGES ET INFLUENCES EN INGeNIERIE - VOYAGE DIPLOMATIQUE � MILAN - TENTATIVE D'INTeGRER LA COUR DES SFORZA - DE L'ARTISTE ARTISAN � L'ARTISTE DE COUR - UN AUTODIDACTE INTeGRe DANS LES CERCLES SAVANTS ET LA MeTHODE EXPeRIMENTALE. CD2 : LE SUCCeS DES ANNeES 1490 - eTUDES DU CORPS HUMAIN, DE LA MeCANIQUE, DE LA PEINTURE, DES MATHeMATIQUES - ANNeES TROUBLES, ANNeES D'ERRANCES - INGeNIEUR DE CESARE BORGIA - LA JOCONDE - RELATION AVEC MICHEL-ANGE ET AUTRES TRAVAUX PICTURAUX. CD3 : LE TRAITe DES OISEAUX - DISPOSITIFS OPTIQUES ET AUTOMATES - SFUMATO, VIE DE L'ATELIER ET JOAILLERIE - CONTRIBUTIONS PHYSIQUES, ANATOMIQUES ET ASTRONOMIQUES - LES ACTIVITeS D'INGeNIERIE MILITAIRES ET CIVILES SUR FOND DE CRISE POLITIQUE - LES ANNeES ROMAINES - FRANcOIS IER - MYTHES ET POSTeRITe. DIRECTION : OLIVIER COQUARD, PRODUCTION : CLAUDE COLOMBINI FReMEAUX POUR PUF-FReMEAUX

Les Presses Universitaires de France et Fremeaux & Associes proposent cette biographie de Machiavel, analysee et expliquee par Julien Le Mauff, historien de la pensee politique, docteur en etudes medievales. Apprehender l'oeuvre et la pensee de Machiavel n'est pas un exercice facile, tant l'ombre du machiavelisme plane au-dessus d'elles. de ces fables, l'auteur nous invite � nous departir afin d'acceder � la pensee politique de l'humaniste et chancelier de Florence, Niccol� Machiavelli et aux conditions de sa formation. Ainsi nous decouvrons l'homme Machiavel, soucieux de se mettre au service de la Seigneurie de Florence et se lamentant des divers revers de fortune. Sa pensee se forme par l'observation et la participation aux evenements politiques de son temps, loin d'une vision rigide du gouvernement, heritee de la scolastique. Alors nous decouvrons la riche histoire politique de l'Italie au temps des guerres d'Italie, foyer de l'humanisme et laboratoire politique. Nous suivons cet homme qui, afin de servir sa patrie, elabore un art de l'etat ainsi qu'un art de la guerre dans des oeuvres admirees mais aussi condamnees et mises � l'index. Claude COLOMBINI FReMEAUX Presses Universitaires de France and Fremeaux & Associes offer this biography of Machiavelli, analysed and explained by Julien Le Mauff, historian of political thought and doctor of medieval studies. Understanding Machiavelli's work and thought is no easy task, such is the shadow of Machiavellianism hanging over them. The author invites us to set aside these fables in order to gain access to the political thought of the humanist and Chancellor of Florence, Niccol� Machiavelli, and to the conditions of his formation. We discover Machiavelli the man, anxious to serve the Lordship of Florence and lamenting the various reverses of fortune. His thinking was shaped by observation and participation in the political events of his time, far from a rigid vision of government inherited from Scholasticism. We discover the rich political history of Italy at the time of the Italian wars, a hotbed of humanism and a political laboratory. We follow this man who, in order to serve his country, developed an art of the State as well as an art of war in works that were admired but also condemned and blacklisted. Claude COLOMBINI FReMEAUX CD1 : DeCOUVRIR L'HOMME MACHIAVEL - LA FLORENCE DES MeDICIS - LE ReGNE DE SAVONAROLE � FLORENCE - LeGATION � LA COUR DU ROI DE FRANCE LOUIS XII - CESARE BORGIA - LA PENSeE POLITIQUE DE MACHIAVEL S'INSPIRE DE CESARE BORGIA - DOTER FLORENCE DE SES ARMES PROPRES : LES PReCONISATIONS DE MACHIAVEL - L'ENSEIGNEMENT TIRe DE LA CHUTE DE CESARE BORGIA. CD2 : FACE AUX MENACES : DeFENDRE FLORENCE - VERS LA CReATION D'UNE ARMeE DE CITOYENS - L'EMPEREUR MAXIMILIEN - LOUIS XII ET LE PAPE - LE PRINCE - COMMENT GOUVERNER ? - L'HISTOIRE ROMAINE DE TITE-LIVE. CD3 : MACHIAVEL AMOUREUX, POeTE ET eCRIVAIN POLYVALENT - AU SERVICE DES MeDICIS - L'ART DE LA GUERRE - MACHIAVEL HISTORIEN DE FLORENCE - NICCOL� MACHIAVELLI, HISTORICO, COMICO ET TRAGICO - LES HISTOIRES FLORENTINES - MACHIAVEL POSTHUME : LE DeBUT DE LA LeGENDE NOIRE. DIRECTION : OLIVIER COQUARD, PRODUCTION : CLAUDE COLOMBINI FReMEAUX POUR PUF-FReMEAUX

Gabriel Martinez-Gros est professeur emerite d'histoire medievale de l'Islam � l'universite de Nanterre, specialiste de l'ideologie omeyyade et grand connaisseur de la pensee d'Ibn Khald�n. L'historien nous presente une histoire d'Al- Andalus, c'est-�-dire de l'Espagne conquise par les troupes musulmanes au VIIIe siecle, durant les conquetes arabes, puis dirigee par les califes omeyyades de Cordoue jusqu'au XIe siecle. La guerre civile, fitna en arabe, entre les emirs andalous, et la poussee chretienne de la Reconquista, vont progressivement mettre fin � la presence musulmane en Espagne. Gabriel Martinez-Gros livre un recit marque par le souci de restituer les ideologies des differents acteurs comprises dans un contexte economique, politique intellectuel et social brillamment retrace. Cette histoire d'Al Andalus, nous rappelle l'historien, est l'objet d'un debat historiographique don't il trace les contours. C'est aussi un enjeu pour la societe espagnole contemporaine qui renouvelle son regard sur son passe. Claude COLOMBINI FReMEAUX. Gabriel Martinez-Gros is Emeritus Professor of Medieval Islamic History at the University of Nanterre, a specialist in Umayyad ideology and a great connoisseur of the thought of Ibn Khald�n. The historian presents a history of Al-Andalus, i.e. Spain conquered by Muslim troops in the 8th century, during the Arab conquests, and then ruled by the Umayyad caliphs of Cordoba until the 11th century. The civil war (fitna in Arabic) between the Andalusian emirs and the Christian thrust of the Reconquista gradually brought an end to the Muslim presence in Spain. Gabriel Martinez-Gros delivers an account marked by a concern for restoring the ideologies of the various players included in a brilliantly traced economic, political, intellectual and social context. The historian reminds us that this history of Al Andalus is the subject of a historiographical debate, the contours of which he outlines. It is also a challenge for contemporary Spanish society, which is renewing it's view of it's past. Audiobook, in French.

Camille Claudel la transgressive, la sculptrice de genie, l'artiste sulfureuse et maudite, l'amante libre de Rodin, basculant dans la folie, enfermee � l'asile durant les trente dernieres annees de sa vie. Artiste trop en avance sur son temps, elle s'affranchit de toutes les regles, de toutes les conventions sociales. Son oeuvre sera sa vie. Outre qu'elle a sculpte avec acharnement durant trente ans, elle a ete, quasiment toute sa vie, une epistoliere assidue. Des lettres, elle en a ecrit des centaines, et nombreuses sont celles perdues ou detruites. Des lettres qui temoignent de son etat d'esprit, de ses ambitions artistiques, de sa passion tumultueuse avec Rodin, de son caractere emporte, de ses relations familiales et amicales le plus souvent conflictuelles, de sa sante psychique vacillante, de sa condition d'alienee � l'asile. Des ecrits qui sont aussi ceux d'une femme qui, dans un style precis et pur, combat son isolement et l'injustice. Gr�ce � ces lettres, magnifiquement lues par Emmanuelle Devos, on redecouvre son oeuvre ainsi que sa trajectoire, et on comprend pourquoi elle exerce une telle fascination aupres d'un large public. Claude COLOMBINI & Cecile BERLY Camille Claudel the transgressive, the sculptor of genius, the sulphurous and cursed artist, Rodin's free lover, tipped over into madness, locked up in an asylum for the last thirty years of her life. An artist too far ahead of her time, she broke all rules and social conventions. Her work became her life. In addition to her thirty years of relentless sculpting, she was, for most of her life, an assiduous letter-writer. She wrote hundreds of letters, many of them lost or destroyed. Letters that bear witness to her state of mind, her artistic ambitions, her tumultuous passion with Rodin, her fiery temper, her often conflicting family and friendships, her faltering mental health, her insane condition in an asylum. These are also the writings of a woman who, in a precise, pure style, fights against her isolation and injustice. Thanks to these letters, magnificently read by Emmanuelle Devos, we rediscover her work and her trajectory, and understand why she exerts such a fascination on a wide audience. Claude COLOMBINI & Cecile BERLY DIRECTION ARTISTIQUE : CLAUDE COLOMBINI

La peur souleve un paradoxe : elle peut soit pousser � agir et soit inhiber l'action. Par exemple, les travaux sur la collapsologie suscitent de tres grandes peurs. Gr�ce � ces alertes, certaines personnes ont pu changer de vie et trouve du sens, d'autres, au contraire, se sont sentis desesperes. Dans ce livre, nous resolvons ce paradoxe et balisons ainsi le chemin pour agir, � partir de la peur mais aussi de la joie. Pablo SERVIGNE & Nathan OBADIA. Ce cours enregistre par Pablo Servigne, collapsologue, et Nathan Obadia, Instructeur d'arts martiaux et therapeute, traite du r�le crucial de la peur dans nos vies. Peur de l'avenir, peur de l'echec ou du conflit, stress, eco anxiete, angoisse existentielle... la peur plane sur nos vies. Ils partent du constat que la peur, souvent percue comme paralysante ou negative, est en realite une source d'energie, de protection et de stimulation. Plut�t que de la fuir, les auteurs proposent de la transformer en alliee. Ils utilisent la metaphore du suricate, un petit animal constamment en alerte face aux dangers, pour illustrer notre systeme de detection des menaces. L'ouvrage explore le rapport � la peur � la fois au niveau individuel et collectif, soulignant que l'apprivoisement de nos peurs peut conduire � une societe plus apaisee et ouverte, plut�t qu'� une societe de contr�le et de securite excessive. en acceptant la peur, il devient possible de retrouver joie, liberte, et de repondre aux grands defis contemporains. Claude COLOMBINI FReMEAUX et Patrick FReMEAUX. This course, recorded by Pablo Servigne, collapsologist, and Nathan Obadia, martial arts instructor and therapist, deals with the crucial role of fear in our lives. Fear of the future, fear of failure or conflict, stress, eco-anxiety, existential angst... fear hangs over our lives. They start from the observation that fear, often perceived as paralysing or negative, is in fact a source of energy, protection and stimulation. Rather than running away from it, the authors suggest turning it into an ally. They use the metaphor of the meerkat, a small animal constantly on the alert for dangers, to illustrate our threat detection system. The book explores the relationship with fear at both individual and collective levels, emphasising that taming our fears can lead to a more peaceful and open society, rather than one of control and excessive security. By accepting fear, we can rediscover joy and freedom, and meet the major challenges of our time.

La plupart des publications occidentales offrent une vision unilaterale et critique de Vladimir Poutine et de la Russie. Fremeaux & Associes propose une biographie nuancee de Vladimir Poutine par Jean-Robert Raviot, directeur du Master des etudes russes et post-sovietiques � Paris-Nanterre visant � contextualiser son action dans l'histoire et la geopolitique russe. L'ouvrage offre une vision equilibree des motivations du Kremlin et du soutien � Poutine, au-del� des critiques occidentales, pour mieux comprendre ses relations avec l'Occident. Patrick FReMEAUX Jean-Robert Raviot est professeur � l'Universite Paris Nanterre, o� il dirige le Master en etudes russes et postsovietiques et co-dirige la formation bilingue franco-russe de droit. Ancien directeur des Colleges universitaires francais de Saint-Petersbourg et de Moscou, il est specialiste de l'histoire politique de la Russie post-sovietique. Auteur notamment de de l'URSS � la Russie : la civilisation sovietique (avec Taline Ter Minassian, Ellipses, 2006), ou en 2024 Le logiciel imperial russe chez L'Artilleur. Most Western publications offer a one-sided, critical view of Vladimir Putin and Russia. Fremeaux & Associes is offering a nuanced biography of Vladimir Putin by Jean-Robert Raviot, director of the Masters in Russian and Post-Soviet Studies at Paris-Nanterre, which aims to contextualise his actions within Russian history and geopolitics. The book offers a balanced view of the Kremlin's motivations and support for Putin, beyond Western criticisms, for a better understanding of his relations with the West. Audiobook, in French. Patrick FReMEAUX CD1 - DE L'ENFANCE � LA TeTE DU FSB : L'ASCENSION D'UN LEADER : L'ENFANCE - UN GRAND SPORTIF - L'ENTReE AU KGB. CD2 - POUTINE AU KREMLIN : L'HeRITIER DE BORIS ELTSINE - UN HOMME D'ACTION - LE DISCOURS DE MUNICH : CRITIQUE D'UN MONDE UNIPOLAIRE - UN ReGIME TOUJOURS PLUS AUTORITAIRE. CD3 - LA MYTHOGRAPHIE : POUTINE, ANTI-OCCIDENTAL ? - PUTLER : GeNeALOGIE DE L'HITLeRISATION DE VLADIMIR POUTINE - SA VIE PRIVeE : UN SECRET D'eTAT - POUTINE ET L'ARGENT - QUEL HeRITAGE ?

� la croisee de deux grandes civilisations, les pays d'Indochine en Asie du Sud-est nous invitent au reve �, nous ecrit Dominique Menguy, docteur de l'INALCO, l'Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales. Francis Engelmann, conseiller de l'Unesco et historien de l'art � Luang Prabang au Laos, nous explique que � Si les musiques du Laos et du Cambodge ont beaucoup en commun avec des racines indiennes, la musique du Viet Nam appartient � une autre sphere culturelle plus proche de la Chine �. Francois Jouffa, qui enregistre des musiques populaires et traditionnelles en Asie depuis plus d'un demi-siecle, a reuni dans ce coffret de 3 CD les tresors de ses recherches in situ. Alors que l'Histoire de l'Indochine, si liee � la France, a traverse tant de drames, les artistes y rythment toujours en musique apaisante les evenements de la vie sociale et religieuse. Patrick FReMEAUX At the crossroads of two great civilizations, the countries of Indochina invite us to dream", wrote Dominique Menguy, Doctor of the Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (INALCO). Francis Engelmann, UNESCO adviser and art historian in Luang Prabang, Laos, explains that 'while the music of Laos and Cambodia have much in common with Indian roots, the music of Vietnam belongs to another cultural sphere closer to China'. Francois Jouffa, who has been recording popular and traditional music in Asia for over half a century, has brought together the treasures of his in situ research in this 3-CD boxed set. While the History of Indochina, closely linked to France, has gone through so many tragedies, their artists still provide the soothing musical rhythms to all the events of social and religious life. Patrick FReMEAUX DIRECTION ARTISTIQUE : FRANcOIS JOUFFA & SUSIE JUNG-HEE JOUFFA CD 1. CAMBODGE / CAMBODIA CD 2. LAOS / LAOS CD 3. VIeT NAM / VIETNAM

Les Beatles (mais pas que) en jazz. Le duo Sara Longo / Alvise Seggi nous invite dans un voyage onirique et intime qui fait voile au gre des melodies du tandem Lennon/ McCarney. Surprenant et envo�tant. Augustin BONDOUX The Beatles in jazz. Lending sails to the melodies of Lennon and McCartney, the duo of Sara Longo and Alvise Seggi takes us on an intimate, dreamlike tour. The result? A voyage of spellbinding surprises. ACROSS THE UNIVERSE (FEAT. MATTEO GALLUS) - ELEANOR RIGBY (FEAT. DUDU KOUATe & MICHELE BONIVENTO) - CAN't BUY ME LOVE (FEAT. NICOLA ANGELUCCI) - TOMORROW NEVER KNOWS - ALL THAT MATTERS IS TODAY - FOR NO ONE - COME TOGETHER (FEAT. NICOLA ANGELUCCI) - LET IT BE - NORWEGIAN WOOD (FEAT. FILIPPO VIGNATO) - AND I LOVE HER - ENDLESS LAWNS - QUE JE T'AIME - ALFONSINA y EL MAR. SARA LONGO VOICE - ALVISE SEGGI DOUBLEBASS AND CELLO + SPECIAL GUESTS: MATTEO GALLUS VIOLIN - FILIPPO VIGNATO TROMBONE - MICHELE BONIVENTO HAMMOND ORGAN - DUDU KOUATe PERCUSSIONS - NICOLA ANGELUCCI DRUMS.

Yannis Constans, prodigieux guitariste occitan, qui s'est dej� produit avec les plus grands (Stochelo Rosenberg, Dorado et Tchavolo Schmitt, Angelo Debarre,...), s'associe � Samson Schmitt, virtuose inconteste, ic�ne du jazz manouche. Un album unique, o� tradition et modernite se rencontrent, tisse de complicites et de sonorites chamarrees. Incontournable pour tous les amoureux de guitares aux semelles de vent. Augustin BONDOUX/Patrick FReMEAUX Yannis Constans, a prodigious Occitan guitarist who has already appeared with the greatest (Stochelo Rosenberg, Dorado and Tchavolo Schmitt, Angelo Debarre,...) plays here with Samson Schmitt, undeniably a virtuoso musician and an icon in gypsy jazz. This album is unique, with an encounter between the tradition and the modern that is filled with entente and richly coloured sounds. An unavoidable record made for those who love guitars that tread as lightly as the wind. Augustin BONDOUX/Patrick FReMEAUX LE CHAT ET LA SOURIS (SAMSON SCHMITT) - EZPERANZA (YANNIS CONSTANS) - CASSE-NOISETTE (SAMSON SCHMITT) - ANA�S (YANNIS CONSTANS) - MERCI DJANGO (SAMSON SCHMITT) - LA BOITE � MUSIQUE (SAMSON SCHMITT) - POR TUS OJOS (YANNIS CONSTANS) - BIBODe (DORADO SCHMITT) - HORA ADRIANO (YANNIS CONSTANS) - POUR MON PeRE (DORADO SCHMITT) - CHORO PRA ELEA (YANNIS CONSTANS) - RHAPSODIE � 6 CORES (SAMSON SCHMITT) - BONUS : PAPA ET LE TANGO (SAMSON SCHMITT). YANNIS CONSTANS ET SAMSON SCHMITT : GUITARE - CAMILLE WOLFROM : CONTREBASSE INVITeS : DORADO SCHMITT : VIOLON - STEFI SCHMITT ET STENLI SCHMITT : CHANT - NICOLA GIAMMARINARO : CLARINETTE - ROBERTO GERVASI : ACCORDeON DIRECTION COLLECTION : AUGUSTIN BONDOUX

Inspired by the idea of 'music of the spheres' and the interaction between space and men, the album reflects Sumino's multi-faceted artistry and melts old and new music into one unique listening experience. The album includes an intriguing variety of music recorded on concert grant and upright piano and ranges from Baroque to Romanticism (Bach, Purcell, Chopin, Ravel, Debussy); includes iconic film and contemporary composers such as Hans Zimmer and Ryuichi Sakamoto, plus Hayato's own arrangements of popular works such as Ravel's "Bolero" and Mozart's "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Five of Hayato's own unique compositions appear, including melodic and relaxing solo piano tracks, perfect for streaming and playlisting. "Human Universe" musically explores the idea of "Music of the Spheres", a concept that traces back to the ancient Greeks, who believed that celestial bodies in the universe emitted sound bringing music and harmony.

Mystic Orthodox Christmas Chants from Russian and Bulgarian Monasteries.

With his MacBeth, Giuseppe Verdi broke with the operatic conventions of the time and created one of his darkest and most abysmal works. Directed by Krzysztof Warlikowski, the timeless drama unfolds in a new interpretation that takes the audience on an intense journey into human abysses. An opera of this kind demands not only outstanding voices but also outstanding actors. "Vladislav Sulimsky is forceful and brutish in the title role, at times truly frightening, always utterly assured." (Financial Times) Asmik Grigorian is giving her debut as Lady MacBeth and performs "with an urgency of expression that needs no further explanation." (Salzburger Nachrichten) "Her singing becomes a victory over expressive resistance." (Frankfurter Allgemeine) "Philippe Jordan celebrated a triumph on the podium of the Wiener Philharmoniker" (Kurier), his "MacBeth crackles with power and electricity, propelled by it's own velocity. The orchestra attacks the score with relish." (Financial Times) "Thrills, spills and impressive vocal stunts" (Financial Times) "Her singing becomes a victory over expressive resistance." (Frankfurter Allgemeine) "A triumph for 'Lady MacBeth' Asmik Grigorian." (Kronen Zeitung)

Le nozze di Figaro is Lorenzo Da Ponte's and Mozart's first of their three jointly created operas about attempts at interpersonal relationships: a turbulent comedy with erotic entanglements, which was not a harmless comedy even in Mozart's day. Director Martin Kusej moves the drama of love and jealousy to a mafia-like urban milieu where conflicts are fought out with pistols. Young French conductor Raphael Pichon, "original sound expert" (Der Tagesspiegel) and for the first time on the podium of the Wiener Philharmoniker, leads a young ensemble of singers around clan boss Almaviva ("vocally flawlessly brilliant: Andre Schuen", Hamburger Abendblatt). "Kusej's staging is musical, Pichon's conducting theatrical; the two work together to a degree that is far more rare than it should be. Every detail has been carefully thought through, and the symbiosis is breathtaking." (Financial Times) "Martin Kusej's new Figaro is slick, dark and grimly entertaining." (Financial Times) "One will rarely, if ever, hear 'Le nozze di Figaro' so well balanced on stage, with such a homogeneous ensemble of such class, with such a precise Mozart sound." (Frankfurter Rundschau)

One of the most important sources to be copied in the 14th century, the Codex of Las Huelgas is an anthology of chants from the 13th century that are prime examples of the Ars Antiqua. It includes many original pieces, as well as some that can be found elsewhere in various Spanish sources, and others that originally came from the Notre-Dame school. Two specialist Italian vocal groups share in the epic project of recording the entire Codex, with these two discs constituting the first instalment.

The performing styles of Armoniosoincanto and the Gruppo Vocale Garda Trentino are tonally different but share similarities in their approach to interpreting the various pieces. The young voices of the Gruppo Vocale Garda Trentino offer a luminosity and a rhythmic effect that creates a brilliant, precise vocal quality, always expressive and communicative. Armoniosoincanto presents interpretative impulses that are more reflective and controlled – partly in response to the texts, and partly due to the group’s vocal timbre, which is more mature in certain respects. That is not to say that this timbre is any less brilliant where required, nor any less mellow in the psalmodic formulations.

These performances are based on the transcriptions published by the Codex’s first editor, Higinio Anglès, in El CoÌdex Musical de Las Huelgas (Muìsica a veus dels segles XIII–XIV) (1931) and on Juan Carlos Asensio’s work El Códice Polifonico de Las Huelgas: aspectos codicológicos y notacionales – La Música en el Monasterio de Las Huelgas en tiempos de su Códice Polifònico (Editorial Apuerto, 2001).