The CD, registered one year after the death of the composer, was never in regular sale, but a gift for participants in a symposium of the Musikprotkoll 1989 (which is the musical part of the cultural festival "Steirischer Herbst" (Graz, Austria).

The artists of this CD are students of the Music University Graz (Austria) and registrations were made in quasi-private performances in October & Dezember 2003. It is a rare disk, running in the University's own small label (KUG 27). In spite of still being scholars, the artists made an outstanding performance!

Pachelbel was not only a famous organist, but also a prolific composer. This recording offers the chance to hear his six suites entitled "Musical Delight". These pieces are true gems of 17th-century instrumental music, just like his famous "Canon and Gigue", in which Pachelbel skilfully combines his knowledge of counterpoint and his creativity in the field of variation

"Il Primo libro di Madrigali", Venedig, 1611, at Gardano

In a memorial from 1651, Heinrich Schutz gave an account of his life, retracting the formative years in Venice from 1609 when he began to "study music with the utmost diligence. With the help of God I attained such fame that after three years (one year before I left Italy for home) I had my first little piece of music printed in Italian, earning extravagant praise from the most distinguished musicians in Venice…"

Codex Claustroneoburgensis 1255 is a collection of tabulatures for baroque lute from what was to have become the imperial monastery of Kaiser Karl VI (1685-1740). The contents of this "Klosterneuburg lute book" first came to light in the course of a transcription of the complete manuscript in 2006. The manuscript consists of about 120 arias, laments, dances, variations and preludes from the golden era of baroque lute music: exemplary works - for the most part known only from this particular source - by French, Italian, German und Austrian masters from the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

An early example of trio sonatas, which dominated baroque chamber music

Historical recording, over 5 decades old, but still "in the mood"

Excerpts from Gabrieli's editions "Canzoni et sonate" from 1597, 1608, 1615. A very well done performance.

"If you didn't get this disc first time round, don't hesitate to buy it now" (Early Music Review)

"The singing is exquisite, the balance always right, the intensity of devotion always present" (Fanfare, USA)

"Byrd at his most impressive and sublime here in the glorious Nunc dimittis and in the delicate intricacy of Optimam partem. The recording and performances are superb." (BBC Music Magazine Top 1000 CDs Guide)

With this transcription of the Goldberg Variations for string trio Dmitry Sitkovetsky pays homage to the genius of Bach over and above the original works for violin. The parts for violin, viola and cello are not divided in the context of a Baroque string ensemble supported by a basso continuo. The three equal partners function here like the different registers of a single instrument.

Bach dedicated the Aria mit verschiedenen Veränderungen to "music-lovers for the pleasure of their souls". May the transcription presented here be received in this spirit.

»Josquin ist der noten meister, die habens müssen machen, wie er wolt; die anderen Sangmeister müssens machen, wie es die noten haben wöllen.« (Martin Luther)