One of the very last recordings of baroque-pioneer conductor Alan Curtis (1934-2015), a supreme Handelian conductor and scholar. Alan Curtis, described by the New York Times’ as “one of the great scholar-musicians of recent times”, conducts a brilliant cast including German soprano star Christiane Karg and the Italian mezzo soprano Romina Basso. Christiane Karg is one of those fascinating voices of our time. She is certainly one of today’s most interesting German singers with an international profile. Many of her recordings such as “Scene!”, “Heimliche Aufforderung” or “Portrait” (for Berlin Classics) have been internationally acclaimed and were big commecial successes. A selection of arias, duets and instrumental pieces from Handel masterworks such as Semele, Hercules, Partenope, a.o. With liner notes by the british Handel specialist Dr. David Vickers. Incl. a dedication by mystery writer DONNA LEON, who was a close friend to Alan Curtis.

After critically-acclaimed recordings of Mahler’s Fourth and Fifth Symphony, the Czech Philharmonic and Semyon Bychkov continue their Pentatone Mahler cycle with a rendition of the composer’s Second, nicknamed “The Resurrection”. They are joined by soprano Christiane Karg, alto Elisabeth Kulman and the Prague Philharmonic Choir. Starting with a funeral march, passing through the introspective alto song “Urlicht” and ending in choral bliss and euphoria, Mahler’s Second is a deeply spiritual and personal contemplation on the secret of life and the possibility of overcoming death. For Bychkov, the symphony “shows the life cycle in all its struggles: suffering, joy, irony, humour, love and doubt.”

A fantasy that turned into a symphony? First and foremost, this double album enshrines the exemplary work of an ensemble whose designation 'Baroque Orchestra' by no means limits it's excursions into later repertories: under the watchful eye of a gifted conductor, the 'Freiburgers' (and co.) offer us a profoundly renewed vision of the Ninth, that myth among myths, that touchstone of a genre in quest of the absolute - and the direct descendant of a much earlier 'Choral Fantasy'. The latter work showcased one of Beethoven's most extraordinary talents: improvisation. Kristian Bezuidenhout has joined forces again with his concerto partners to let us experience this little-known score as if it had just been premiered… then transcribed by Beethoven himself!

The 'Lobgesang' or Hymn of Praise, commissioned by the city of Leipzig from its Kapellmeister Mendelssohn to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the invention of printing in 1840, has elements of all three categories. But, at the opposite pole from Beethoven s Ninth, we have here a symphonic miniature in three movements, intended to act as the overture to the sung part of the work, which is twice as long. Thus this splendid Symphony-Cantata expands into a sweeping vocal and choral epic.

After several successful years as a freelancer in Vienna it appears as if Mozart was no longer interested in pleasing Viennese society’s taste with music for pure entertainment. The composer continued down the path of personal discovery he had embarked upon the year before, and with ever more resolve: while Vienna was still “Piano Land” to Mozart, it was now on his terms. His head was primarily full of opera. Mozart’s work on Figaro led him to paint situation and emotion with new colouristic tools which would spill over into the piano concertos that followed it, each of them imbued with a more fluid sense of dialogue between soloist and orchestra. The first concerto on this recording exchanges material with Figaro’s rapid, conversational and changeable style. He expands the orchestration and “there are manic changes in the music.

In a follow-up to her acclaimed album of Mahler songs, Christiane Karg takes us on a Christmas tour, in the select company of fellow music-makers. Revisiting holiday memories through the eyes of a child, but with the benefit of her superb artistry as a lieder specialist, the German soprano shines a light on some enchanting rarities of German and French repertoire, along with examples of Spanish, Basque, and Scandinavian traditions… A treasure trove of hidden gems!

In a follow-up to her acclaimed album of Mahler songs, Christiane Karg takes us on a Christmas tour, in the select company of fellow music-makers. Revisiting holiday memories through the eyes of a child, but with the benefit of her superb artistry as a lieder specialist, the German soprano shines a light on some enchanting rarities of German and French repertoire, along with examples of Spanish, Basque, and Scandinavian traditions… A treasure trove of hidden gems!

Le nozze di Figaro is one of the most successful comic operas ever. Director David Bösch is a born storyteller. He likes to focus on the classics, and is known for his poetic approach. In this new production of Le nozze di Figaro, the hectic, bubbly story of Figaro’s eventful wedding party is visually interpreted in a revolving stage set.

Le nozze di Figaro is one of the most successful comic operas ever. Director David Bösch is a born storyteller. He likes to focus on the classics, and is known for his poetic approach. In this new production of Le nozze di Figaro, the hectic, bubbly story of Figaro’s eventful wedding party is visually interpreted in a revolving stage set.