For me, Strauss is one of the greatest composers," Diana Damrau has said. "The way he handles the soprano voice is a joy. And to be able to sing his music with my voice feels like coming home." The centrepiece of this album of Strauss songs is the sublime Vier letzte Lieder, in which Damrau - born and trained in Bavaria - joins forces with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and it's long-standing Chief Conductor Mariss Jansons. Her partner in a tempting and diverse selection of songs with piano is Helmut Deutsch. "Not only is Strauss's music gorgeous," says Damrau, "there's the way he combines words and notes - and the psychology.
One of the jewels of Decca's unrivalled opera catalog, Herbert von Karajan's classic 1960 'Die Fledermaus' returns to celebrate the bicentenary of Johann Strauss. A Viennese cast in excelsis: Hilde Gueden, Erika Koth, Walter Berry, Erich Kunz and the Wiener Philharmoniker. Presented in it's original format with the Gala Sequence of guest artists including Renata Tebaldi, Jussi Bjorling, Leontyne Price, Birgit Nilsson, Teresa Berganza, Fernando Corena, Mario del Monaco, and Joan Sutherlan. Newly remastered from the original stereo master tapes at 24 bit / 192kHz. Deluxe packaging with a facsimile of the original booklet. Hybrid SACD 2-Disc Edition: presenting 24-bit audio. Rigid slipcases with hardback coffee table book. Limited Edition.
An invocation - a prayer, plea, appeal, entreaty or supplication - can take many forms. So can Elsa Dreisig, praised by Gramophone as "one of her generation's most eloquent and engaging singers". Since 2015, when she first gained international attention, the Paris-born soprano has given ample proof of the breadth and diversity of her talent, in the opera house and concert hall, and with her recordings for Erato. On Invocation she sings 15 arias and two songs - from 'greatest hits' to rarities - written by 14 composers to texts in six languages. She performs with conductor Massimo Zanetti and the Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro Carlo Felice di Genova.
A prolific composer and bandleader, Erik's seven albums have received critical acclaim by RollingStone, Jazz Times, USA Today, and the Huffington Post, including Relix magazine naming Deutsch's 4th album Outlaw Jazz the #16 best album of 2015. He was recently voted the #5 Rising Star Organist in Downbeat Magazine's annual poll, where he has been recognized for consecutive years. Deutsch's most recent album, Live at Lunatico, was recorded in Bedstuy, Brooklyn and features his NYC sextet: Avi Bortnick, Mike McGinnis, Tony Mason, Brian Drye, and Fred Cash. From 2016-19 Deutsch was a full-time member of the pioneering Colorado jamband Leftover Salmon, performing 100+ shows per year throughout the US. In 2020 Erik changed directions and joined forces with 12-time Grammy-winning band The Chicks (formerly Dixie Chicks). The eclectic path of Erik's 25-year career has led him to performances in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia; to Red Rocks, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Blue Note, and Madison Square Garden; to Late Night with David Letterman, the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Ellen and The View; and to appearances in the feature films "Begin Again" and "Trans." Erik has played on more than 150 records and has taught thousands of students-who knows what to expect in the next 25 years? You can plan on a wealth of music and creative spirit from this one-of-a-kind pianist.
For his fifth recording as a leader, San Francisco Bay-Area saxophonist Dann Zinn presents his stellar quartet in a performance of nine new original compositions along with a moving version of the classic ballad, "Blame It On My Youth." With Taylor Eigsti on piano, bassist Zach Ostroff and Mark Ferber on drums, Zinn's playing is energetic, virtuosic, and passionate. Recorded in the final weeks of the legendary Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, CA, the band captured the sounds and clarity of the studio along with the passionate energy the group brings to a live gig, creating a listening experience that "exemplifies Zinn's gift for marrying eminently memorable themes to entrancing rhythms." "Dann Zinn is a game changer who is taking jazz in new directions." - Stanford Jazz.
It was in Rome, where he resided between 1707 and 1710, that the young Handel composed these three dazzling sacred works. The Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin and the RIAS Kammerchor give us an extremely lively and colorful reading of these pieces in which the composer showcased his talent: allegiance to the forms of the past, total mastery of counterpoint and, already, a unique feeling for storytelling. Everything here announces musical genius.
Fatma Said's third album, Lieder, is a very personal tribute to the art of German Song. Singing lieder has a central place in Fatma's musical life, it is a world of unique expression for her, listen to e.g. der Zwerg and it becomes crystal clear. Lieder is also a great collaborative project. Fatma recorded with the outstanding clarinettist Sabine Meyer, Anneleen Lenaerts on the harp, with our recently signed and critically acclaimed baritone Huw Montague Rendall, and many, many more
The debut album of the Jason Stein Quartet, the Story This Time, brings together Chicago bass clarinetist Jason Stein with three of his favorite improvisers. With Joshua Abrams on bass, Frank Rosaly on drums, and Keefe Jackson on tenor saxophone and contrabass clarinet, the album features five original compositions by Stein and six under explored compositions by jazz luminaries Lee Konitz, Warne Marsh, Lenny Tristano, and Thelonious Monk. Following three critically acclaimed albums with his trio Locksmith Isidore, Stein's new Chicago quartet seamlessly integrates rigorous written material with fierce and imaginative improvisational flights.
Wagner defined Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg as the most complete work that he had ever created. The Bayreuth Festival 2025 presents the comedy in a new production staged by Matthias Davids, whose playful irreverence stands between tradition and renewal. Under the exceptional baton of Daniele Gatti, who debuted in Bayreuth in 2008 with Parsifal, the cast showcases it's brilliance and finesse. Georg Zeppenfeld, at the core of the performance, interprets Hans Sachs with excellent vocal skills and particular sensibility. Equally remarkable performances are given by Michael Spyres and Christina Nilsson, respectively, as Walther and Eva, and by Michael Nagy as a finely drawn Beckmesser. The result is a compelling piece of music theatre: 'A comedy of manners where themes of art, tradition and human love arise naturally.' (Seen and Heard International) Michael Spyres 'has everything a Stolzing needs: he is effortlessly present, sounds light yet embodied in the upper register, a German knight with italianità.' (BR-KLASSIK)
In 1786, Haydn composed The Seven Last Words of Christ for orchestra. Ten years later he produced a stunning choral version, which Justin Doyle and the RIAS Chamber Choir and Konzerthausorchester Berlin now invite us to rediscover. Together with four exceptional soloists, they reveal all the dramatic power of the work, it's expressive intensity and liturgical fervour.
Exclusive Japanese reissue from Universal. During his brief 54-year life, Carl Richter made an indelible mark on the history of Bach performance, recording 76 of Bach's church cantatas and one secular cantata, along with monumental works such as the Matthew Passion and the John Passion. His extraordinary achievements remain a benchmark for excellence in interpreting Bach's music.
For almost 3 decades, brothers Alfons and Aloys Kontarsky were the world's leading piano duo. They set the standard for all subsequent pairs of siblings to play the piano. Even today, their musical and analytical acuity and intellectual insight remain unrivalled. What is particularly fascinating about their playing is the lucid, transparent sound. An American critic summed it up succinctly, "One pianist in two bodies." Between 1959 and 1983, they recorded numerous albums for Deutsche Grammophon. These recordings are now available for the first time as an 18 CD Original Jackets Collection, which includes three CD premieres. Saint-Saens' 'Carnival of the Animals' is featured in 3 versions: English, German and a purely musical rendition. Additional Philips, ECM & Koch Schwann recordings are also available, as are live recordings from the Lockenhaus festival. The portrait is completed by liner notes from Peter Uehling & Markus Kettner, as well as numerous rare and unpublished photos.
One of the jewels of Decca's unrivalled opera catalog, Herbert von Karajan's classic 1960 'Die Fledermaus' returns to celebrate the bicentenary of Johann Strauss. A Viennese cast in excelsis: Hilde Gueden, Erika Koth, Walter Berry, Erich Kunz and the Wiener Philharmoniker. Presented in it's original format with the Gala Sequence of guest artists including Renata Tebaldi, Jussi Bjorling, Leontyne Price, Birgit Nilsson, Teresa Berganza, Fernando Corena, Mario del Monaco, and Joan Sutherlan. Newly remastered from the original stereo master tapes at 24 bit / 192kHz. Deluxe packaging with a facsimile of the original booklet. This 3 LP set is pressed on 180g vinyl with poly-lined inner sleeves and cut at Abbey Road Studios. Packaged in rigid slipcase with hardback coffee table book. Limited Edition.
