A close contemporary of Buxtehude, Johann Pachelbel was, by all accounts, an outstanding keyboard player himself, and his compositions provide a fascinating stylistic bridge between early-Baroque composers such as Frescobaldi and Froberger (both of whom influenced him) and the later music of J.S. Bach and his contemporaries. Organist Matthew Owens continues his major exploration of the many extant organ works of Pachelbel with this fourth volume, recorded on a recent instrument by the renowned French organ builder, Bernard Aubertin. This recording sheds fresh light on Pachelbel's ingenious counterpoint and inventive chorale preludes, revealing layers of seventeenth-century Lutheran devotion and compositional mastery.

The Choir of St John's College, Oxford, directed by David Bannister, sings music associated with Christmas, together with youthful work by Imogen Holst and Benjamin Britten. Looking towards the sixtieth anniversary of Elizabeth Poston's Penguin Book of Carols (1965), initially undertaken with Ralph Vaughan Williams, the recording presents music associated with these two composers and the works they edited, alongside newer pieces exemplifying and revivifying the English carol tradition.

Cellist Robin Michael and pianist Daniel Tong present a captivating new recording of the complete works for cello and piano of Gabriel Faure, here presented for the first time on period instruments. Faure's compositions, from salon miniatures such as his elegie and Sicillienne, to his profound Sonatas Nos. 1 & 2, defy conventional categorisation. His harmonic sorcery, stretching beyond his contemporaries, unveils a language both contemporary and timeless. In these late masterpieces, themes from his opera Penelope intertwine with his personal journey, from childhood improvisations to his search for tranquility amid the horrors of war.

Echo Vocal Ensemble presents Innocence, a bold debut album that moves freely between musical traditions sacred and secular, composed and improvised, classical and popular. Spanning 900 years of musical history, this recording explores the concept of innocence and it's many connections to our changing ideas of faith, tradition, childhood and the natural world. Led by conductor Sarah Latto, Echo takes the listener on a journey through song, from Hildegard of Bingen and Maurice Ravel to ANOHNI, Morrissey, and Meredith Monk.

Swedish-born guitar virtuoso Johan Lofving returns to Resonus Classics to record his debut solo album with a programme of works for both solo guitar and guitar with string quartet. Joined by the Consone Quartet, and castanet player Nanako Aramaki, for Boccherini's fourth guitar quintet, Lofving presents a compelling selection of Romantic guitar repertoire framed by two fandango movements that show the influence of Spanish folk music, an idiom so intimately connected with this medium. With this recital of works from across Europe, the considerable reach and versatility of the guitar is on full display with music from the height of the instrument’s popularity.

The acclaimed pianist Mark Bebbington marks his Resonus Classics debut, and the start of a new French music series, with a major new recording of works by Francis Poulenc. Joined by conductor Jan Latham-Koenig, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, this varied programme of works for piano features the Piano Concerto (the last of his five concertos) and the rarely-recorded piano version of the Concert champêtre so often performed by Poulenc himself. Bebbington is also joined by oboist John Roberts and bassoonist Jonathan Davies for the Trio for Piano, Oboe & Bassoon, and the Sonata for Oboe & Piano.

Ancient traditions, folklore, landscapes, and the natural world are central themes in the music of the distinguished Chinese composer Xiaogang Ye. This new album, performed by the Fidelio Trio and friends, spans over three decades of Ye's chamber works from 1989 to 2023. Known for his vast range of compositions, Ye's deep connection to his Chinese heritage is particularly evident here. His intricate use of instrumentation, rhythmic and melodic motifs, and dramatic forms come to life in these intimate settings. The album features a variety of ensembles and instruments, including the evocative traditional Chinese instrument, the pipa in Gardenia, highlighting Ye's ability to blend traditional Chinese elements with Western classical music. Each piece, from the lyrical Piano Trio Op. 59 to the vivid Nine Horses Op. 19, showcases Ye's mastery of timbral colour, rhythmic interplay, and melodic expression, offering listeners a fresh perspective on ancient myths and tales through a modern lens.

A close contemporary of Buxtehude, Johann Pachelbel was, by all accounts, an outstanding keyboard player himself, and his compositions provide a fascinating stylistic bridge between early-Baroque composers such as Frescobaldi and Froberger (both of whom influenced him) and the later music of J.S. Bach and his contemporaries. Organist Matthew Owens continues his major exploration of the many extant organ works of Pachelbel with this third volume, recorded on the Flentrop organ of Dunblane Cathedral, Scotland. This album explores Johann Pachelbel's improvisational techniques and compositions, highlighting his use of variation, counterpoint, and chorale preludes. It features preludes, fugues, ricercars, and variations that showcase his mastery and educational methods.

Keyboardist Steven Devine continues this complete survey of Johann Ludwig Krebs' significant contribution to the keyboard genre with the fourth volume in this series dedicated to the composer's keyboard works. In this album Krebs' profound understanding of musical process, honed during his eleven years within J.S. Bach's inner circle, comes alive. The compositions featured on this disc superficially show the parallels between Krebs and his master and teacher, whilst reflecting the more up-to-date musical style of Bach's sons. The Suite in C and the Six Sonatinas form parts two and three respectively of the Clavier-ubung (keyboard exercises): a four-part publication published in Nuremberg around 1744.

Celebrated as one of the finest Tudor composers, Thomas Weelkes served as organist and choirmaster at Winchester College and Chichester Cathedral and although famed for his madrigals, wrote more Anglican services than any other major composer of the time. Performed by the professional Irish vocal ensemble Resurgam with The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble, this album celebrates the sacred music from this prolific composer in Weelkes’ 400th anniversary year.

Prize-winning Amsterdam-based string quartet, the Dudok Kwartet, make their recording debut here with an enthralling and eclectic programme of works by Joseph Haydn, György Ligeti and Johannes Brahms. Recipients of the prestigious 2014 Kersjes Prize for an exceptional Dutch chamber ensemble the quartet have a rapidly growing reputation as one of the most promising young European strings quartets. Exploring the theme of metamorphoses in the music of the three composers represented here, these exquisite performances feature music from the entire spectrum of the quartet repertoire, from fresh interpretations of Haydn's C major quartet from his Op. 54 to the technical limits explored in Ligeti's first string quartet, Metamorphoses nocturnes, and the quartet's own effective arrangements of Brahms piano intermezzi.

The acclaimed Fidelio Trio make their Resonus debut with an exquisite recording of French piano trios- Camille Saint-Saens’ large-scale Op. 92 second trio, and Maurice Ravel’s sole foray into the genre dating from 1914. Coming off the back of a Royal Philharmonic Society Award nomination in 2016, this recording sees the trio expand on their unparalleled reputation for new music demonstrating the vast range of this brilliant chamber group’s abilities and talent. “Ravel’s Piano Trio was a lyric upwelling… the Fidelio players brought it off superbly, and it was a joy.” (The Sunday Times) “This is a bold and powerful recording, thoughtfully recorded, showing the young Fidelio Trio to be a force to be reckoned with.” (International Record Review.)

Continuing their ongoing series with Resonus Classics, the Saint Thomas Choir of Men & Boys, Fifth Avenue, New York, and conductor John Scott release an album of celebrated as well as more recent American choral music. Featuring music from the last seven decades, this engrossing recording celebrates the very best of American choral works with music from Leonard Bernstein, Randall Thompson, Aaron Copland, Nico Muhly, Samuel Barber, Daniel Castellanos, Ned Rorem, and former Saint Thomas music director Gerre Hancock. World premiere recordings from Muhly (Bright Mass with Canons) and Daniel Castellanos (Eternal Light) are featured on this release. The Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys is considered by many to be the leading ensemble of its kind in the Anglican choral tradition in the United States. The Choir performs regularly with Orchestra of St. Luke’s or with the period instrument ensemble, Concert Royal, as part of its own concert series. Its primary raison d’etre, however, is to provide music for five choral services each week. Live webcasts of all choral services and further information including recordings can be found at www.SaintThomasChurch.org.

The Rautio Piano Trio makes their Resonus Classics recording debut with a disc of three piano trios by Mozart. Particularly well-known for presenting a wide range of the trio repertoire on both period and modern instruments, the Trio performs here on period instruments including a fortepiano that once belonged to the late Christopher Hogwood CBE.

Increasingly in-demand guitarist and lutenist James Akers makes his Resonus solo debut with a stunning album of works for romantic guitar. Akers provides a captivating program of works, consisting almost entirely of world premiere recordings, by guitar legends from continental Europe. Featuring Mauro Giuliani & Luigi Legnani (from Italy), Fernando Sor (from Spain), and Johann Kaspar Mertz (from Hungary), this seductive album draws the listener into the magical, diverse, Scottish influences that bewitched each of these 19th-century composers.