The Goldberg Variations – alongside Wohltemperiertes Klavier, Musikalisches Opfer, Die Kunst der Fuge – constitute the most intense link of Bach’s art of polyphony. Thus, they focus on the whole essential problem of polyphonic composition using the counterpoint technique, on the problem of the polyphonic composition given to perform. In none of Bach’s other works, these two moments – the composer and the executive – are so closely connected, almost identifying with each other. This work, originally for harpsichord, is at the same time the most pianistic of all Bach’s keyboard works. This subtle interpretation of the Variations is performed by Professor Won-Sook Hur, one of the most recognized pianists in Korea, and should interest every fan of composer and didactic Bach craftsmanship.

The pieces selected by Bruno Borralhinho and Christoph Berner for this recording were written between 1883 and 1894. Three youth works are juxtaposed, in which Richard Strauss, Gustav Mahler and Alexander von Zemlinsky assure themselves equally of their mastery of their compositional craft and in which, for the first time, an unmistakable signature of their own can be heard. The portuguese cellist Bruno Borralhinho is a member of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra and Artistic Director of the Ensemble Mediterrain. His professional activity includes regular soloist performances in solo recitals, with orchestra or with piano accompaniment.

The present album 'Braiding Chopin' by Andreas Woyke is a continuation of his solo debut 'Braiding Bach'. Compositions by the Polish piano grandmaster of the Romantic period interact with the pianist's own compositions and together form a dramaturgical total work of art: both expressive and contemplative - and thus also a mirror of the human soul! The German pianist, Andreas Woyke, had an education shaped by various international influences - the Argentine pianist Aldo Antognazzi taught him in Siegen. In Cologne and Vienna he studies with the Russian pianists Pavel Gililov and Rudolf Kehrer. That time he won a number of international prizes: 1st prize at Brahms-Competition Hamburg, 1st prize at Austro Mechana in Vienna and 2nd prize and recital prize at UNISA Transnet competition in Pretoria.

As an internationally successful pianist and composer, Erwin Schulhoff was one of the most important Czech artists in the first half of the 20th century. Over the last 25 years, his works have gradually enjoyed a renaissance, revealing him as a polystylist who was always ready to shun mainstream practices and absorb all the emerging compositional styles of his time. Examples of this musical diversity are now available for the first time in a 6-CD box of Schulhoff's works. From the early piano pieces and string quartets, to his symphonies and jazz improvisations, the collection shows how astutely he accommodated the different trends of his time.

Katharina Treutler's new release offers devilish pleasure alongside intimate worship of God. For example, Ligeti's tricky, demonic 'Treppenwitz' stands opposite the glistening piano work of the faithful Catholic Messiaen. Enlivened by variations of the Holy Spirit, his music seems to sparkle through the windows of an important French cathedral. Katharina Treutler has given numerous recitals around the world, performing in Europe, Asia and in the United States.

Five string quartets by Carl Reinecke from all the phases of his career, from its beginnings to his old age, are extant. He himself played the first violin in his father’s quartet and in this way very early became acquainted with an extensive quartet repertoire.

Premier siècle; One Century of Music celebrates the centenary of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. The boxset contains a collection of rare radio recordings that have never been released before, spanning French, German, Russian and twentieth-century repertoire. A unique asset of Premier siècle is the 1943 recording of the musical legend Les Armaillis (1906) by Swiss composer Gustave Doret. The album showcases the rich history and musical development of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande and contain performances by all its musical directors, from founding father Ernest Ansermet until current musical director Jonathan Nott, including all their intermediate colleagues: Paul Kletzki, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Horst Stein, Armin Jordan, Fabio Luisi, Pinchas Steinberg, Marek Janowski and Neeme Järvi. The release comes with a voluminous, full-color booklet with texts on the orchestra’s history and the repertoire presented in English, French and German as well as unique photos and archival materials.

«Les six quatuors de Bartok représentent non seulement un sommet dans le genre du quatuor à cordes, mais aussi un panorama extraordinaire de l'évolution politique et artistique de la 1ère moitié du 20ème siècle. Un sommet du genre par la qualité de ses quatuors, qui ont complètement renouvelé le genre, inventant nombre de nouveaux procédés d'écriture (le pizzicato "Bartok"), repensant totalement le type de dialogues des quatre instruments, lui imposant de nouvelles règles; cette intégrale dialogue avec l'autre géant de l'histoire du quatuor à cordes, Beethoven. Pour une formation comme le quatuor Diotima, engagé dans la création, ce corpus unique et magnifique est une sorte de "bible", de référence de tous les instants.

For their debut recording, the Kreisler Trio Wien have chosen Mozart's monumental and much-loved Divertimento in E-flat major, and - together with the Vienna Philharmonic's principal hornist Wolfgang Vladar - the horn quintet. In 2017 the Kreisler Trio Wien celebrated its 10-year anniversary. Since its inception in 2007, the Kreisler Trio Wien has developed into one of Austria’s top chamber music ensembles- a result of their strong sense of musical culture, exhilarating performances and excellent musicianship. The name of the ensemble is an homage to the ingenious Austrian violinist and composer Fritz Kreisler. One marvels at his art, while his musical heritage and personality symbolically stand for triumph over destruction and renewal through the power of music.

Among the names that no Italian prog enthusiast can do without we undoubtedly have the legendary Dalton, a band that in the early ’70s left an indelible mark with the LP’s “Riflessioni: Idea d’Infinito” and “Argitari”. Their voice, guitar and one of the main composers was – and still is – Aronne Cereda, author of the recent “Memories” published by AMS Records in September 2017. In “Eden”, alongside the songwriting, folk and Celtic sides already present in “Memories”, echoes of ’70s progressive rock come back, unmistakably: an indelible sign of an era, that only those who have lived those years in first person can faithfully bring back to life; in particular, the songs “Giardino dell’Eden” and “La forza di Dio” will delight those who never forgot about Dalton, and still listen to their first two LP’s regularly.

Magnum are set to start the year with a 15 track live album Majestic Hard Rock at it`s best, recorded at the Symphony Hall Birmingham, their home town!

Back Lot Music will release the official soundtrack album for M. Night Shyamalan’s Glass. The album features the film’s original music composed by West Dylan Thordson (Split, Joy, 3 Generations) who incorporated some of James Newton Howard’s themes from 2000’s Unbreakable into his score. The soundtrack will be released digitally next Friday, January 18 and is now available for pre-order on iTunes, where you can also check out audio samples. Glass is written and directed by Shyamalan and stars James McAvoy, Bruce Willis, Anya Taylor-Joy, Sarah Paulson, Samuel L. Jackson, Spencer Treat Clark and Charlayne Woodard. The comic book thriller will be released in theaters nationwide on January 18 by Universal Pictures.

• 55 CD original jacket, original couplings collection celebrating Maestro Riccardo Chailly’s 40 years on Decca
• Includes complete cycles of Beethoven, Brahms (x2), Schumann (x2), Bruckner and Mahler
• Featuring the orchestras with whom Chailly has been most closely associated: the Gewandhausorchester, the Royal Concertgebouw, and the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin

The second solo CD of the young soprano Charlotte Schäfer, together with Concerto con Anima under Michael Preiser, contains true gems of virtuoso coloratura art, which all use texts from the libretto Demofoonte by Pietro Metastasio.

Sie servieren ungewohnte Sprache auf hervorragender Popmusik. Gerade deshalb auch was für Leute ohne Dialekt: Pam Pam Ida veröffentlichen am 11.01.19 ihr zweites Album Sauber bei F.A.M.E. Recordings. Aus dem beschaulichen Örtchen Sandersdorf mitten in der bayerischen Pampa kommt nun der zweite große Aufschlag des Überraschungserfolgs Pam Pam Ida. Mit ihrem 2017 erschienenen Erstling Optimist begeisterten sie Radiostationen, Kritiker und Fans. Nun kommt das zweite Werk keine ganz einfach Aufgabe.