The Unknown Russia: “For me it has been a great joy to conceive and record the programme featured on this album. The idea that inspired it was twofold: on the one hand, it is made up of variation cycles (with the exception of the Rondo brillante on a theme from Bellini’s opera ‘I Capuletti ed i Montecchi’).

Haydn, Heidn, Hayden… the man beneath the score is often elusive. Yet, his presence is constant and vivid in his music, as his scores speak to us personally and freshly.

Heinrich Isaac’s “Missa Virgo prudentissima” stands out as a very rare work in the panorama of the Ordinary settings composed at the turn of the sixteenth century. Its monumental sound, linked to the six-voice texture - mostly used for timbral variety, but occasionally for fullness of sound - the imaginative use of its cantus firmus, and its mature and sure contrapuntal writing make it one of the most successful works by the Flemish master.

Though the title Giovincello seems to make a specific musical reference, it is simply an affectionate Italian term meaning 'young man'. Only 20 years old when he recorded this album, Edgar Moreau 'has already found his place in the great tradition of French cello-playing' (Diapason). Here he brings his youthful energy and virtuosic thrills to 18th-century cello concertos by Haydn, Vivaldi, Boccherini, Platti, and the world-premiere recording of a Baroque concerto by Carlo Graziani.

L’Escadron Volant de la Reine, “the Queen's Flying Squadron” was created by Antoine Touche, l'Escadron Volant de la Reine gathers together young professional musicians, fond of Baroque music. All former students from European superior conservatoires, they are linked by a deep friendship and it’s very naturally that they came together in January 2012.

Hideki Togi is part of a family with a tradition of gagaku (ancient Japanese court music) that can be traced back 1300 years to the Nara Period (710-794). Due to his father’s job, Togi spent his childhood abroad and grew up surrounded by various kinds of music including rock, classical and jazz. After graduating from high school, he joined the music department of the Imperial Household Agency. There he gained experience with instruments such as the hichiriki, biwa, tsutsumi and cello, in addition to singing and dancing.

London born soprano Nancy Storace was a good friend of both W.A. Mozart and J. Haydn. During her stay in Vienna she performed in about 20 operas, including the world premiere of Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro (with Benucci in the title role), among other things.

Les Concertos de J.S Bach sont à placer parmi les perles les plus miraculeuses que nous a transmis le dix-huitème siècle. Vitalité, lyrisme, intensité mais légèreté, complexité mais fraîcheur, éloquence, couleurs… tout y est. Un bonheur inépuisable à partager avec le public. Depuis une vingtaine d'années, Ausonia, Frédérick Haas et Mira Glodeanu pratiquent les concertos de J.S Bach. Voici enfin leur enregistrement très attendu : le premier opus, enflammé et poignant de Hitasura Productions.