The serenade for orchestra in D major, K. 250 (248b), popularly known as the "Haffner Serenade", was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on the commission of Sigmund Haffner Junior in 1776. The serenade is undoubtedly a jewel among Mozart's Salzburg compositions. The eight-movement work is Mozart's most extensive serenade and also the one with the largest instrumentation, with 13 instruments. Yet it is almost forgotten, or overshadowed, by it's famous Viennese counterpart, the Symphony in D major K. 385, the "Haffner Symphony", commissioned by Leopold Mozart in the summer of 1781 for the nobilization of Johann Sigmund Haffner. The first and last movements of the serenade gain additional weight through slow introductions. The first minuet is remarkably witty. It is embedded in the concerto movements of the serenade and it is in a minor key against all tradition. This is a charming joke on the part of the composer, for the melody is by no means serious, but a minor variant of a folk song known today as "I'm Marzen der Bauer". The virtuosic solo parts throughout the recording are played by conductor and violinist Daniel Dodds. An exclusive bonus track of this album is the world premiere recording of "Armonia con Capriccio" by Vicenzo Righini (1756 -1812) which has never been recorded in this particular version. The Italian Righini was contemporary of Mozart and a successful tenor, bandmaster and composer in his day. The track is a beautiful piece for violin and orchestra from his opera "Gerusalemme liberata ossia Armida al campo de' franchi".
After 25 years of an astonishing international career, highly praised Soprano Patricia Petibon, in collaboration with Andrea Marcon and his fantastic La Cetra Barockorchester, unveils on March 18th her new album 'La Traversee', an oniric musical journey through Time, feelings and musical trends, from Mozart to Verdi, Gluck to Offenbach. A sublime Classical program, both energizing and deeply moving.
Milan Records releases THE WITCHER: SEASON 2 (SOUNDTRACK FROM THE NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES), an album of music from the second season of Netflix’s epic fantasy series by composer JOSEPH TRAPANESE. The album features an original score by Trapanese as well as three additional vocal tracks performed by actor Joey Batey, who plays the role of Jaskier in the show and is the voice behind Season 1’s chart-topping, viral hit song “Toss A Coin To Your Witcher.” Of the soundtrack, composer JOSEPH TRAPANESE says, “I'm thrilled to be sharing our score and songs for Season 2 of The Witcher with you. Lauren Schmidt Hissrich, Steve Gaub, Kelly Luegenbiehl, and the entire team at Netflix were incredibly generous with their time and guidance, introducing me to the world they've built based on Andrzej Sapkowski's The Witcher while also inviting me to share my own interpretation and musical language. It was especially rewarding to work with Joey Batey, whose representation and understanding of Jaskier became a key part of the songwriting process, with Joey himself co-writing two of the songs alongside me and the screenwriters. I couldn’t be more excited or proud to share this music with you, and I’m grateful to the entire Witcher team and Netflix for supporting our work through all the challenges of the past two years."Of his inclusion on the soundtrack’s vocal tracks, actor JOEY BATEY adds, “Jaskier is stepping away from the catchy tunes that made his name in the Continent and is now using his songwriting talent to explore his own emotions and his own story, which was really challenging and really fun to do. Working with Joe [Trapanese] has been eye-opening. He is incredibly talented and I’m very lucky to have been involved.”THE WITCHER: SEASON 2 (SOUNDTRACK FROM THE NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES)TRACKLISTING –The Golden One – featuring Joey BateyNilfgaard AttacksNivellenSome Wounds Can't Be HealedKaer MorhenLeshenPower and PurposeAretuza Looses AnotherThe PendulumWitcher TrainingMyrapod ChaseStay With MeWho Did This to YouThe Key to the FutureDone Dealing in DebtsBurn Butcher Burn – featuring Joey BateyRemembering CintraElder BloodChernobogMeliteleFire FuckerWhoreson Prison Blues – featuring Joey Batey Sworn to ProtectElves' AllegianceI Believe in YouPain and DesperationTell Me What You WantBasilisksWe're Your FamilyYou Belong With UsThe Wild Hunt The White Flame
German pianist Martin Stadtfeld recorded a special Christmas album featuring well-known Christmas melodies such as "Stille Nacht" (Silent night), "In the bleak midwinter" and "Maria durch ein Dornwald ging" and "Vom Himmel hoch" which are newly arranged by Martin Stadtfeld himself for "Christmas Piano". In addition, Stadtfeld contributed to "Christmas Piano" his own pieces, especially the eleven-part contemplative piano cycle "Christmas Time", two variations after Praetorius' "Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen" and two intermezzi after Praetorius' "Vom Himmel hoch". Already at the end of 2020, when no concerts could take place due to the pandemic, Stadtfeld had sent short musical Advent greetings to his audience via social media channels to cheer them up. The experience of this sharing and the positive response to his music gave him the idea for his new album. Right at the beginning, Stadtfeld's "Christmas Time" sounds, consisting of 11 atmospheric miniatures. Titles like "Happy Time", "Wish List" or "Anticipation" conjure up images of joyful anticipation and shining children's eyes during Christmas times. Just as in his own piano cycle, Martin Stadtfeld let's listeners participate in his Christmas imagination in his arrangements of traditional carols and pieces by classical composers. "Christmas Piano" also includes "Canonische Veranderungen uber Vom Himmel hoch" (Canonical Changes on High Heaven) by Johann Sebastian Bach arranged for piano and trumpet, in which Martin Stadtfeld's brother Stephan also makes a guest appearance on the trumpet.
