The word liaison can be translated in many ways: affair, affinity, connection, link, relationship, union. The CDs in the Liaisons series each feature 2 particular composers, enabling us to explore their musical worlds, sources of inspiration & degree of influence. At the same time, the recordings reveal their most conspicuous differences & their common denominators.

‘Distant Light’ is Renée Fleming’s first foray into the hypnotic world of Scandinavian music. For her first new studio album in three years she has chosen to inspire and provoke with a daring mix of music.

Elizabeth Kenny and Theatre of the Ayre revel in some of the most extraordinary music of the seventeenth century. Focusing on the ayre—the central part of a masque—The Masque of Moments offers a fascinating glimpse into a world of audacious and experimental virtuosity.

Natalie Clein, whose previous recording of the music of Ernest Bloch was described as ‘inspired’ by The Sunday Times, turns to his three suites for solo cello as part of a recital of works written in the aftermath of the Second World War. The sombre voice of the cello seems especially apposite in music of such deep seriousness, Ligeti’s short sonata providing an energetic and life-affirming finale.

"Live At The Sahara Tahoe" is the first live album by American soul musician Isaac Hayes. The album, recorded live at the Sahara Hotel & Casino in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, was released in 1973, by Stax Records' Enterprise imprint.

Voice Of Peace from Friar Alessandro completes a trilogy of albums he began in 2012, all enshrining the essential message of the founder of the Franciscan Order to which he belongs. Friar Alessandro shares his rich, expressive tenor voice on this collection of sacred and inspirational music, joined by Italian violinist and conductor Guido Rimonda leading the Camerata Ducale.

Izrael-born Sharon Bezaly (who now lives in Sweden) has rightly risen to the top of her field with silky performances like this one which seemed universally rated highly by the music press (Gramophone, ClassicsToday, etc). Her repertoire extends to many Scandanavian composers who have written several flute concertos for her marvelously refined technique (she was a student of Aurele Nicolet). On this recording she plays a 24k instrument custom-made for her by Muramatsu Japan.

Davide Formisano was born in Milan in 1974. He graduated with the highest marks plus distinction under the guide of M° C. Tabarelli, Jean-Claude Gérard at Stuttgart Musikhochschule and Aurele Nicolet in Basel.

Think again if you thought The Temptations in a Mellow Mood (an album of standards) pioneered this concept by a '60s soul group; this smooth set preceded the Temptations' album by a couple of years and probably inspired the Motown classic. The dancing, exciting Vibrations shocked their fans with this early-'60s release of standards sung in modern but soulful harmony. It was before its time and wasn't really appreciated until years later when it was out of print.

Qualche settimana fa recensivamo il primo libro del Wohltemperierte Klavier eseguito all’organo da Daniele Boccaccio. In quell’occasione si ricordava come il termine “klavier”, utilizzato da Bach per indicare lo strumento da usare per l’esecuzione, sia in realtà molto generico, indicando qualunque strumento a tastiera: clavicembalo, clavicordo, fortepiano, organo, e quindi anche ciò che nel 700 ancora non esisteva, il pianoforte.

A new recording from Ricercar Consort is always special and this one is no exception. The enterprising Mirare label presents the group s powerful new recording of J.S. Bach s St. John Passion. Although not as popular as the St. Matthew Passion, the St. John is equally rich with the invention and beautiful melodies that Bach is famous for. The soloists here are on top form and their truly wondrous performance will surely elicit raves from critics. Last year s Bach Magnificat with similar forces received excellent reviews including a Gramophone Editor s Choice and a BBC CD Review disc of the week.

His parents, Italian immigrants to Brazil, named Radam?s Gnattali after the male lead in Verdi’s Aida, and his mother began to teach him the piano at the age of six. But even though he did become a highly skilled pianist, performing Tchaikovsky’s piano concerto in B flat at Rio de Janeiro’s Teatro Municipal at the age of 23, it was as a composer (and arranger) of music of a distinctly Brazilian cast that he would make his name.

Li plays with a rare combination of virtuoso skill & poetic interpretations, each note he plays a reminder of why, in 2000, his music inspired the jury of the 14th International Chopin Piano Competition to give out the 1st top prize in 15 years to the then 18-year-old boy . . . “His maturity is obvious from the arrangements of the rhythmic transitions to the superb control of strength variations, which is known as the most difficult part of Chopin’s compositions”, (notes director Zhang Guoyong, who conducted the concert.) “It won’t be long before he is a maestro,” Zhang predicts.