Classical Music

2014 vinyl LP pressing release from experimental classical composer/producer. He is 'praised as "heady", possessing "elements of post-Minimalism, avant-garde rock, jazz and global-fusion styles that mingle and merge with dreamlike mutability"- New York Times.

Classical Music

Featuring music created in the spur of the moment, straight from the heart, and inspired by a deep connection to New York life and scenery—this collection contains some of Gjeilo’s most soulful and passionate music; ranging from the introspective wistfulness of Dark Blue to the serene joyfulness of Snow in New York, and to fantasies around his own choral works.

Whether as a solo instrument or as part of the orchestra, today the saxophone seldom appears in concert halls and opera houses. Nonetheless, before it found its true home, it was heard in classical music. Here, Schulte-Burnert skillfully presents three particularly brilliant and virtuosic concertos by John Williams, Michael Nyman and Andrei Eshpai.

MOZART:ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERA

A paradigmatic example of the Wiener Symphoniker's core repertoire, Mahler's First Symphony in D major was written only four years before the orchestra was founded in 1900. Not surprisingly, Mahler's symphonies and their interpretational challenges were among the main intersts of the orchestra and it's many renowned conductors from the very beginning. Above that Mahler's Symphony No. 1, being the first oeuvre of a Vienna revolutionary, is more sutable for the start of this new Vienna Orchestra label.

Spirit of Ecstasy has been out-of-print for more than two decades which makes this reissue highly important. The album consists of the works Spirit of Ecstasy (1977) and the Way to Nepal (1971). Spirit of Ecstasy is lively, being serious and humorous at the same time - ingeniously dramatized and well constructed, the history of the car is used to tell of the most important events in the history of the 20th century. The Way to Nepal (1971) is an exploration in sound, which confronts the listener with a dramatic process shifting between a meditative soundscape and disturbing motor noise.

One of the towering figures of American music, Cherry was part of the revolutionary free-bop quartet led by Coleman, an ensemble that helped shift the conversation about jazz from chord changes and swing to freedom and energy. By the late '60s, the pocket-cornet player was living in Sweden, with his wife Karlsson, playing with Swedish musicians from all backgrounds, seeking out exciting partners in a somewhat hippie-like atmosphere. It was in this milieu, in the summers of '71 and '72 that Cherry recorded the tracks for his legendary double LP, Organic Music Society, which was released on Caprice and is now reissued for the first time on CD. The sessions that comprise Organic Music Society are varied and represent several directions in Cherry's oeuvre.

This project was produced exclusively for 180 gram audiophile vinyl release. SOUVENIR and has been referred to as "the most beautiful music ever composed for the string orchestra". Ensemble leaders Øyvind Gimse and Geir Inge Lotsberg decided early for Tchaikovsky's "Souvenir de Florence" and 2L opted for the "Serenade for Strings". The Trondheim Soloists are regarded as one of the top chamber orchestras in the world. Their DIVERTIMENTI and their FOLK STYLE were both nominated for a total of five American GRAMMY Awards in categories "Best Small Ensemble", "Best Engineered Album" and "Best Surround Sound Album".

Du Yun, hailed as a “significant voice” by the Financial Times as a composer of concert music, releases her first album on New Focus. Raised in Shanghai, China, Yun blends Chinese and English lyrics freely on the album. Recorded and produced in New York, Shanghai, and Montreal, Shark in You features Yun as a vocalist, composer, producer, and lyricist in 12 far ranging tracks, from dance electronica to Kurt Weill-inspired neo-cabaret. A founding member of the influential International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), Du Yun has also received commissions from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, and the Whitney Museum of Art. “This CD is a wild ride, well worth jumping aboard.” –Audiophile Audition

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

John McNeil (born March 23, 1948) is one of the most influential trumpeters today. Despite his debilitating health condition which he has been fighting all his life, McNeil has a fully active career both as performer and educator. Recorded during McNeil’s European tour in 1983 with a fellow American Doug Raney on guitar and the best Danish rhythm section at the time, this album caught the trumpeter at his top form. “…. He seems to have the trick of drawing the best from his sidemen ….” (Melody Maker) “… plays his horn with a soulfulness that is rarely heard these days. [His] poetic, dusky-toned trumpet is very close to song.” (Chicago Tribune) “McNeil's solos were by and large the most incisive features of the night.” (London Daily Mail)

Doug Raney (Aug. 29, 1956 – May 1, 2016) moved to Copenhagen, Denmark from New York when he was 21 after a European tour with his famous guitarist father Jimmy Raney. Doug spent the rest of his rather short life in Copenhagen. He collaboration with SteepleChase started shortly after his move to Denmark in 1977 with the debut album “Introducing Doug Raney” (SCCD 31082/SCS 1082). Since then he released 17 highly acclaimed leader album during the 80s and 90s. This album recorded in 1984 finds Raney in a comfortable company of his regular Danish rhythm section. “Blue And White is probably the best of (Raney’s early releases in the 80’s – ed) them, dominated by titanic performances of Jimmy Heath’s ‘Gingerbread Boy’ and Coltrane’s ‘Straight Street’…” (Richard Cook & Brian Morton – The Penguin Guide to Jazz) “Players of Doug Raney’s depth and talent don’t come along very often, making their absence, when their end does come, something almost tactile….” (Larry Grinnel)

GALAKONZERT AUS PRAG

VIOLINKONZERT SYMPHONIEN

In the summer of 1989 when this album was recorded in sweltering heat of NYC pianist/composer Jim McNeely at the age of 40 had already had an impressive track record of performing with prominent players such as Stan Getz, Bob Brookmeyer, Dave Liebman, the Thad Jones/Mel Louis Orchestra, among others. McNeely, now a celebrated veteran himself, has earned ten nominations of the Grammy Awards and worked as conductor/composer/soloist-in-residence with a handful of radio orchestras of European major cities including Copenhagen, Frankfurt, etc., besides leading his own group. “This must be one of the finest piano trio albums I’ve heard, well, since the last by Jim McNeely… His musical sensitivity and sophistication make this album a constant joy.” (Any Hamilton – Wire UK on Winds Of Change)

This is the first leader album of Joe Locke (b. March 18, 1959 in Palo Alto, California) on SteepleChase. “He has a solid background in the modern-mainstream tradition…An interesting album by a musician from whom I am sure we will hear more.” (Mike Shera – Jazz Journal International) “Joe Locke is a new star on jazz vibraphone scene, who deserves even wider recognition now. This album has a excellent ensemble feel to offer solid performance throughout. Locke’s vibraphone has fresh musicality.” (Sato – Swing Journal)

LIEDER NACH GEDICHTEN VON EICH

Pianist Joe Bonner (1948 – 2014) was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina where Thelonious Monk was born about three decades earlier and left strong influence on the young pianist. An impressive modernist Joe Bonner performed in and around Denver, Colorado towards the end of his life and became a legendary figure. He spent considerable time in Denmark during the 80s. This album from Copenhagen in March 1987 is a studio recording with another American expatriate Bob Rockwell on tenor. "...The Lost Melody is a good group session, marked by strong charts ...." (The Penguin Guide to JAZZ) "... one cannot but admire the fluency and precision, the dexterous right hand...the diversity in his play is a mark of a great pianist..." (Jean-Paul Ricard, Diapason)

1978 was one of Duke Jordan’s most productive and artistically most fulfilling years. Jordan’s trio with Wilbur Little (bass) and Dannie Richmond (drums) made an extensive European tour that year. This is one of the live recordings from concerts at the Tivoli Gardens. “…The old bopper, Duke Jordan, is another pianist who is perhaps under-appreciated … this man could play and he still can. On Wait And See for SteepleChase, we have the quintessential version of Jordan’s classic along with a lot of fine, not-at-all dated bop lines by the pianist…” (Durham Morning Herald)