Classical Music

This recording was inspired by David Evans’ reconstruction of a Thuringian harpsichord, c.1715, and a desire to find appropriate repertoire. These performances explore the musical heritage of Bach and Handel and recreate the harpsichord sound they and their contemporaries may have heard. The Thuringian in question is a unique instrument, fundamentally different in sound and touch from typical 18th c. harpsichords of the German, Franco-Flemish or ‘International’ schools. Much evidence exists to suggest both Bach and Handel would have been well acquainted with this style of instrument.

The Magma Duo took their name from one of their favorite pieces: In de magmakamer (In the magma chamber( by Reza Namavar, that was written especially for them. Although equally at home with music by Beethoven and Frank, their first album features only 20th and 21st century music, ranging from the popular Poulenc Sonata recording to recording premieres of Aleksey Igudesman’s irresistible 2nd Violin Sonata and the Namavar piece. The Magma Duo’s fiery musical temperament makes for a spellbinding album, that will engage listeners regardless of their musical tastes. In 2014, the Magma Duo won the first prize in the senior category of the “A Feast of Duos!” international competition for violin-piano duos in Sion, Switzerland. According to judges, the Magma Duo convinces through its ‘energetic playing which evokes reactions.’

Thesauri inventio 1 & 2 is in fact two albums in one digipack, one featuring music from the Di Martinelli Music Collection and other from the Kromer� Music Collection. In the late 17th and early 18th centuries, numerous music compilations appeared that gather together handwritten copies. Both archives contain a surprisingly large amount of repertoire for violin and continuo, some of which remains unexplored up to the present day. Antoinette's previous albums for Globe Records, Phantasia Musica (GLO 5265), Pieter Hellendaal (GLO 5271) and Johann Fischer (GLO 5274) have earned international critical acclaim.

Classical Music

� A 2011 concert performance by Italian mezzosoprano Sonia Ganassi singing French arias of Bizet, Gounod, Massenet, and others. � Conductor Carla Delfrate leads the Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana. � Recipient of the Italian Abbiati prize in 1999, Ms. Ganassi has appeared in many of the world's major opera houses, and is scheduled to appear with the Vienna State Opera as Jane Seymour in Donizetti's Anna Bolena during the 2013/14 season.

Classical Music

All of the works on this disc were recorded live during the semifinals and finals of the 4th International Competition for Young Organists on October 2-3, 2014. Organized by the city of Muzzana del Turgano, the competition is used to feature the historical organs in the towns of the area. Four organs were used: the Nacchini in Muzzana, Dacci in Marano, and Francesco Zanin in Lignano Sabbiadoro, and Sesto al Reghena. In addition to featuring these fine instruments, the purpose of this recording is also to showcase new talent and instill a love for the King of Musical Instruments.

Classical Music

The Pfeiffer Trompeten Consort presents this lovely program of works by Telemann, Charpentier, Holborne, Frescobaldi, and more. Pfeiffer-Trompeten-Consort was founded by the brothers Joachim, Martin, and Harald Pfeiffer in 1985. They were soon joined by Dale Marrs, who has decisively put his stamp on the musical style of the group. Mathias Muller, tympanist, joined in 1992. Through Peter Schumann, organist, the group's musical home has always been the Heiliggeistkirche (Church of the Holy Spirit) in Heidelberg, Germany. Most of the works performed by the Pfeiffer-Trompeten-Consort, famous, as well as less-well-known pieces, are presented in new, festive arrangements, most of which (with the exception of a few original compositions) have been revised and adapted by members of the ensemble. These arrangements are unique in their style. It is always easy to recognize the concern for combining Baroque trumpet artistry with modern playing techniques. In addition to the original trumpet parts, the Pfeiffer-Trompeten-Consort tries to include as many of the other instrumental parts as possible, and thus to consider the musical compositions in their entirety. The possibilities of modem trumpets combined with the splendid sound of the instruments transform familiar compositions into a new listening experience.

Classical Music

Classical Music

This recording of recorder sonatas by Handel and an 18th c. transcription of the Royal Fireworks Suite is the work of three Melbournians who have made important contributions to early music performance in Australia for over thirty years. Published By John Walsh c. 1750, this is the only recording of the adaptation of the Fireworks Music (originally for flute, violin or harpsichord) in this arrangement. All instruments are faithful reproductions of authentic originals, historically accurate, carefully researched and tuned to a version of period temperament, giving each key its own character.

There is a tradition among the Greek peoples of the singing of carols ('Kalanda') on Christmas Eve. This album is a set of carols newly composed by Greek-Cypriot composer Cilia Petridou. As musical works they also qualify as art-song in fine performances by three excellent sopranos. For those who love Christmas music but want something new, this album will fit the bill. The three sopranos each take a number of solo carols and form a trio for the last two; Lesley-Jane and Alison have both worked with the composer for some time and also made several highly-praised recordings for Divine Art and Metier. Cilia Petridou was an accomplished pianist until her career was ended by major surgery since when she has concentrated on composition. Moving with her family to the UK after the Turlish invasion of north Cyprus which destroyed their home town of Famagusta, her music is often informed by that political tragedy, but her Kalanda are bright and full of joy.

Alexander Alyabyev enrolled in the Russian army when he was 25. As a calvary officer he took part in campaigns against Napoleon that took him all the way to Paris; he was badly wounded in the arm and transferred to the National Guard, where he became one of its best officers. Alyabyev had made himself a name in music salons as a composer of romanzas and brief pieces for piano prior to the Napoleonic War. After his retirement he was able to devote himself entirely to music and chose to live in Moscow. He was also known to be addicted to gambling and card games. Toward 1825 he was involved in a card game brawl where someone was killed. He was placed in jail for three years and finally sentenced to exile. From 1825 until the end of his life, Alyabyev remained under constant police supervision and was forbidden to perform in public. Alyabyev’s early works show his admiration for Beethoven, and he also wrote a great deal of salon music. His style was generally conservative and is often compared to early Schubert, particularly in view of his important art song output. In fact, Alyabyev is often nicknamed “the Russian Schubert.”