Poetic Fantasies: Liszt's Transcriptions & Monuments

Anton Dressler writes of his new release: “This album is a result of a long term dream: to unite natural sound of the clarinet and its electronic elaboration and to form a unique symbiosis where each part is enriched by interacting with the other. Myself, my clarinet techniques and my equipment evolve together in creating “Livemovement,” a modular concert program performed live. A beautiful world has unfolded in front of me. Sonorities, voices, lines, echoes have conquered my imagination. This is an exciting journey between improvisation and composition, from the only voice towards polyphonic reflections- exploring and expanding the possibilities of the instrument and beyond, going further to seek that perfect place where space and time become actually the sound.”

Equally at home in clubs and concert halls, Instrumental seamlessly crosses the divide between classical and dance music. 60 Buddhas is a compellingly original album featuring new works by Instrumental, Joby Talbot and Orbital.

The debut disc by one of the most talented and acclaimed young violinists to emerge in recent years. Liebeck has established an international reputation for mature, intense and virtuosic performances and this disc of early 20th Century works demonstrates these characteristics in abundance. Partnered here by the virtuoso, award-winning pianist, Katya Apekisheva, this is duo playing of the highest calibre.

Includes work(s) by various composers. Soloists: Anna Noakes, Richard Hand.

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

The Russian pianist REM Urasin is most closely associated with Chopin, winning numerous prizes and performing every piece the composer wrote over the course of 11 concerts in 2009/2010. Here, though, he turns his attention to his native repertoire, transforming 15 Shostakovich preludes into brilliantly astringent showcases for cello and piano and transcribing 10 Rachmaninov songs in a similar manner. The contrast between the agitated, angular energy of the preludes and the richly melodic warmth of the romances could hardly be more marked. Urasin and cellist Boris Andrianov make a formidable duo, playing with rigorous intensity - particularly in the crazily satiric Prelude No 5 - and a touchingly languid lyricism.

A tender and beautiful song cycle by one of Brazil's undiscovered classical treasures, Claudio Santoro. Coupled with two of the composers piano cycles each a series of short and intimate miniatures performed by the celebrated pianist Marcelo Bratke.

A remarkable album of works written specially for the celebrated Russian violinist Roman Mints. Technical virtuosity and state-of-the-art electronic manipulation combine to produce a startling, atmospheric and highly original CD.

Includes nocturne(s) for piano by Frédéric Chopin. Soloist: Israela Margalit.

A celebration of the poets and composers of the Great War 1914-1918

Experimenting, exploring and creating new music for percussion and saxophone. The duo was formed in 1998. Sand Dancer is its debut CD recording and is an intimate reflection of both Dave and Andy's musical experiences. Ranging from the free improvisations of As it Happened to arrangements of jazz standards Django, My One & Only Love, and Moanin through to original compositions such as Otria, Sand Dancer and The Light That Falls, the duo display musical versatility, empathy and honesty.

Includes work(s) by various composers. Ensemble: City of Oxford Orchestra. Conductor: Levon Parikian. Soloist: Roland Roberts.

'Yesterday, to judge from the tumultuous ovation that followed his dazzling performance of Chopin's opus 28 Preludes, free of both perfume and rhetoric, then history repeated itself. Certainly, I believe that a performance of these 24 miracles of miniaturism which has more clarity, transparency and economy than Williams's interpretation is just about unthinkable.' The Glasgow Herald

Includes work(s) by various composers. Soloists: Matthew Barley, Stephen De Pledge.