Arguably the first time the complete Beethoven Nine Symphonies has been recorded and presented in a boxed set by a female conductor.

Japanese flutist Eriko Oi, winner of the International Early Music Competition in Yamanashi (Japan), is joined by harpsichordist Tung-Han Hu in this production featuring the world premiere recording of works for flute and continuo by Italian composer Carlo Tessarini, born in Rimini in the late 17th century. A violin virtuoso active throughout Europe and a prolific composer, Tessarini - like many of his contemporaries - also ventured into writing for the flute, significantly enriching the instrument’s repertoire. The performance of the two collections presented in this CD demonstrates that Tessarini was undoubtedly a profound connoisseur of the flute’s unique qualities, fully exploiting its dynamic and expressive potential.

Though Belgium in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries was known above all for its "school" of violin-playing, represented by figures such as Henry Vieuxtemps and Eugene Ysaye, it was also home to a flourishing piano "school". After independence in 1830, the new nation's conservatoires opened numerous classes, method-books and anthologies proliferated, and piano-makers kept pace with new patents and instruments.

Victor Julien-laferriere and his Consuelo Orchestra continue their complete works of Beethoven's symphonies with a second volume devoted to the famous diptych premiered on 22 December 1808: the Fifth and Sixth Symphonies, so contrasting and yet so close. They have added the Eighth, premiered five years later and sometimes considered the little sister of the 'Pastoral', whose key is F major.

For her debut album, Arielle Beck chose to get back to the source of German Romanticism: a living gushing source, since the young pianist chose to couple 19th century masterpieces with her own variations on the theme of Schumann’s Bunte Blätter, which once inspired Brahms and Clara Schumann. This young musician is definitely the worthy heir of her illustrious elders.

After Saint Etienne's 35-year excursion through pop, International is their final album-length statement. A dreamlike drift with friends and collaborators, International features cameos from the higher echelons of pop — 80s chart heroes, electro, acid house and all points in-between — from Vince Clarke to Nick Heyward, Confidence Man to Erol Alkan, Chemical Brothers, Orbital, Doves and Xenomania, through to the lesser known, but equally exhilarating Augustin Bousfield and Flash Cassette.

Les Arts Florissants, one of the world’s most renowned Baroque ensembles, joins forces with legendary founder and artistic director William Christie for a landmark release: the first complete recording of André Campra’s Requiem, paired with his profoundly moving Miserere. These works, filled with clarity, grace, and emotional power, offer a deeply personal and spiritual listening experience. Campra’s music speaks straight to the soul, with harmonies that are subtle, expressive, and timeless. Performed on period instruments at original French pitch and shaped by authentic ensemble forces, this recording is a masterclass in historically informed performance, true to Campra’s era, and brought vividly to life by musicians at the top of their craft.

For their very first album with harmonia mundi, Robin Pharo and his ensemble Près de votre oreille explore the highly poetical and personal world of William Lawes, the brilliant heir to Byrd and Gibbons. The gifted Lawes carried the instrumental arts and vocal music to an incredible height of perfection. This is a rediscovery to make the heart rejoice.

Are 'hits' exclusively associated with modern pop music?

Paavo Järvi and the Estonian Festival Orchestra pay tribute to Arvo Pärt, who celebrates his 90th birthday in 2025. The Estonian composer has been part of Paavo Järvi's life since childhood: "Arvo was, for me and my sister, my father's hip friend. He wore a baseball cap, jeans and a denim jacket". The history of the Järvi family is intimately linked to Pärt's work, since it was the now legendary concert in which Neeme Järvi — Paavo's father — conducted Pärt's Credo in 1968 that caused the Soviet regime to blacklist the Järvi family and precipitate their departure from Estonia. Credo is also included in this vast programme that covers 45 years of composing.

According to The Telegraph ‘Ingrid Fliter was born to play Chopin’, such is her profound musicianship and affinity with the Polish composer. Here, the Gilmore Artist Award winner continues her highly acclaimed Chopin odyssey, which began over a decade ago, with the complete mazurkas. This, the first of two volumes to be released on Linn, includes the early Opp. 6 and 7, the Op. 24 as well as the later sets, Opp. 50, 59 and 63. The programme reflects on the composer’s evolving style, from simple folk-inspired dances to brilliantly sophisticated, intimate works whose intricate counterpoint and harmonies often push the boundaries of the form and serve as a benchmark for the genre. Also included are some posthumous mazurkas which transverse Chopin’s entire compositional career.

Sandrine Piau avoue avoir une double fascination depuis toujours : pour la musique de Schubert et pour les quatuors à cordes : « La quête incessante du geste pur où l’on s’oublie soi-même pour faire corps avec les autres m’évoque ces ballets aquatiques de comédies musicales d’autrefois où les nageuses nous offraient des images de fleurs parfaites. » Grâce au Quatuor Psophos, elle réalise son rêve et ensemble ils présentent ce magnifique programme de transcriptions : « entre crin des archets et grain de la voix, nos instruments se fondent en un quintette de Schubert, imaginaire. »

These previously unreleased live recordings from Lucerne present Sir András Schiff with two composers rarely found in his discography or concert programmes: Domenico Scarlatti and György Kurtág. Though separated by centuries, both are masters of musical miniature. Although Schiff had already engaged with Scarlatti during his student years, the Baroque composer gradually disappeared from his repertoire.

Curtis is back and on fine form. An absolute gem. In the making of his fourth full-length, the Atlanta-based singer/songwriter dreamed up a batch of songs exploring the longing and unease of being far from home - a true-to-life reflection he soon expanded into an elaborate concept album about a pilot lost in space.

Till Brönner announces his new album through earMUSIC – ITALIA sets out on a vibrant journey into the sun-drenched soundscape of Italy from the 1960s to the early ’80s. The album will be released on September 5, 2025 and it will be the first for the artist’s new collaboration with earMUSIC/Edel.