This particular recording has been a favourite of mine since its initial release nearly 30 years ago. Stephen Kovacevich (or Bishop-Kovacevich. if you prefer) appeals as 1 of those pianists whose playing is rather forthright & precise, giving us here a rather lyrical presentation of the concerti full of grace & good demeanor. A little on the light side compared to those who pound out their Beethovens some would think.

Born in Kyoto, Music Director of the Tonkunstler Orchestra since the start of the 2015-16 season, Yutaka Sado is considered one of the most important Japanese conductors of our time. After many years assisting Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa, Yutaka Sado started winning important conducting prizes such as the Grand Priz of the 39th «Concours international des jeunes chefs d’orchestre» in 1989 in Besancon, France, and the Grand Prix of the Leonard Bernstein Jerusalem International Music Competition in 1995. His close ties with his mentor led to his appointment as Conductor in Residence at the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, which was founded by Bernstein. In December 1990, at the «Leonard Bernstein Memorial Concert» in the cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, Yutaka Sado conducted alongside other Bernstein proteges.

L’Adélaïde en question étant l’une des huit filles de Louis XV et de Marie Leszcinska ; née en 1732, elle devint « Madame » à la mort de sa sœur aînée, et s’éteignit en 1800 en Italie – elle aura quand même survécu à la Révolution ! Mais à l’heure de sa grande gloire, elle et ses sœurs furent de grandes consommatrices de musique et nombreux sont les compositeurs qui gravitèrent autour des princesses, et leur dédièrent des œuvres nouvelles.

Violinist Arabella Steinbacher and pianist Robert Kulek continue their great collaboration with a new PENTATONE release, the recording of Cesar Franck’s Sonata for Piano and Violin in A, which joins Richard Strauss’ Sonata for Violin and Piano in E-flat, Op. 18. While Franck’s violin sonata is epic in character, Strauss’ work is full of jovial energy, hope and anticipation. This fusion of elements brilliantly demonstrates the synergy between Steinbacher and Kulek, something we have witnessed during their recital performances over the past few years.

Composed in 2012 and 2013, Let me tell you is a dramatic monologue voiced by a character who requires us to hear her. That character is not quite the Ophelia of Shakespeare s Hamlet; her entire text is made up from words Ophelia speaks in that play, but she uses these words in different ways, to express herself differently. Barbara Hannigan is known worldwide as a soprano of vital expressive force directed by exceptional technique. She brings the same high energy to her varied activities as a conductor as well as to her singing, including recent engagements with Simon Rattle, Kent Nagano, and David Zinman.

Commissioned to celebrate the bicentenary of the United States Declaration of Independence, Messiaen's Des canyons aux étoiles was inspired by the composer's tours around Utah's magnificent landscapes, including Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks, which so affected him with their beauty. This is no musical tourism however: the work takes the listener upwards, from the depths of the canyons, to the songs of birds, to outer space, and ultimately to the Celestial City.

“Steel yourself for his mallets of musical mastery”. So runs the spruik in the liner notes of Nick Parnell’s self-published album Vibes Virtuoso. This is no idle boast. Adelaide percussionist Parnell knows his way round the three octaves of metal keys and sustain pedal and his mission is to put this instrument centre stage.

"The musical output of the Russian composer Sergei Ivanovich Taneyev (1856-1915) has been suspiciously absent from the mainstream of public performance. Perhaps this can be attributed to a number of reasons, but it should certainly be held that it is not because of the music itself.

The 3 Violin Sonatas by Edvard Grieg are a mixture of German and Austrian traditions with the Nordic folk. The experience at the Leipzig Conservatory, where the strong influence of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and Robert Schumann was felt, and the trips to Italy, especially Rome, where Grieg met Franz Liszt, contributed greatly to the formation of the style of the Norwegian composer. Similarly of crucial importance were the years he spent in Copenhagen where he completed his studies under the guidance of the Danish composer Niels W. Gade.

Nikolaus Harnoncourt is celebrated as one of the most influential musical personalities of the second-half of the twentieth century, and this new release is the last recording made by the great conductor, having announcing his retirement in December 2015. It is also the first time Harnoncourt conducts Beethoven's symphonies 4 and 5 with Concentus Musicus Vienna, which he founded in 1953 and now is the longest existing period instrument ensemble.

One inspiration for the title of bassist Nathan East's second album for Yamaha – third if the Grammy-nominated Bob James collaboration The New Cool is counted – was the passing of Maurice White. The Earth, Wind & Fire leader is twice paid explicit tribute on Reverence. First, there's a faithful version of "Love's Holiday," featuring Philip Bailey in support, with East's bass in White's lead role during the verses. A slick "Can't Hide Love" fake-out and some other references are in the mix, too. Additionally, "Serpentine Fire" gets an ornate update with Bailey and EW&F partners Verdine White and Ralph Johnson. Phil Collins' drums and Eric Clapton's guitar are dredged from the master recording of an abandoned project, lost for 25 years, that was found in Patti Austin's basement by East's engineer. Given East's continued predilection for uplifting wordless melodies, and the frequent use of bright horns, the uplifting spirit of EW&F flows through much of the album.