Back      

Sonatas, Sonatas 'im Kanon' and Fantasies


NWC-211193
US$

Buy Now!
Track List:
Information:
Sonatas, Sonatas 'im Kanon' and Fantasies
by G.Ph. Telemann:
- Pauline Oostenrijk (oboe),
- With:
Richte van der Meer (cello),
Mike Fentross (theorbo),
Siebe Henstra (harpsichord

Despite the fact that G. Ph. Telemann’s compositions are well known to most music lovers, our thorough understanding of his musical oeuvre remains limited because of its prolific nature. He literally catered to all musical tastes that existed during his lifetime and composed for the church as well as for the coffee house: concerto, chamber, vocal and orchestral music for amateur musicians, ensembles and virtuoso performers alike- including opera. The music on this disc is destined for highly capable performers, demanding intricate and sensitive knowledge of color, harmony and musical structure, and Telemann has imbued each movement of the sonatas with a unique character and technical difficulties. This demands a virtuoso performance from all the players involved, whereas the canons are more playful and didactic in nature. In this way, one could say that two extremes of Telemann’s ‘instrumental’ nature are clearly portrayed on this present disc.

Secret Notes


NWC-412152
US$

Buy Now!
Track List:
SECRET NOTES - violin concerto no. 2, op. 19
  1. I. Keep them in the dark
  2. II. Keep silent
  3. III. Leaked out
A TI TE TOCA - para dos pianos y orquesta, op. 23
  1. I. Corrido
  2. II. Mariachi
  3. III. Sandunga (Danza favorita de Frida Kahlo)
  4. IV. Salsa
  5. V. Mambo
 SYMPHONY NO. 1 - op. 26
  1. I. Maniacal
  2. II. Lawless
  3. III. Elegiac
Information:
In my days at the New England Conservatory of Music many years ago, the 'pre-conservatory' department was always filled to the brim on weekends with an incredible mass of highly talented little children. Walking in the halls of the conservatory on weekends was for that very reason a highly depressing affair: about 25 of them were child prodigies, and they were able to perform pieces that I was not even close to conquering, and it inevitably had a dampening effect on my dreams of a career in performance. But where are they all now?

The majority of such children just come and go like the wind and we never hear about them again. There are really only two major reasons for that: When you are 10 and can perform the Tchaikovsky piano Concerto #1, it is almost a circus show of wonderment within which the audience reacts, but when such a child, no longer a child at age 28 plays it, it is measured against all interpretations of the present and past combined. A harrowing thought indeed if just possessing the physical mastery of the piece was the primary objective of your youthful education. Most young performers for this reason never get past those first few years of existence performing on the podium. The ones that do, become legends.

The other reason is that such gifted, intelligent children usually get bored easily. I vividly remember one girl in my class who gave up piano in order to become a mathematician at NASA at the age of 18. When I asked her why, she replied: 'I can already play everything for my instrument, and there's no challenge left for me...it's boring!'

Nevertheless, there exists a third category in this revue: Marijn Simons. It says a lot about him that he survived to become an adult violinist who had something to say and express to his listeners. Also composing from a young age, his music, as well as his performances, have developed and grown with leaps and bounds and is reaching out to audiences in many countries. A double talent like that is unique, and in my view, I am very happy that he never got bored of performing and composing. After hearing the music on this disc, we can be sure he is going to continue doing so for many years to come.

T.A. Diehl

Sarabando - TangoBaroque


NWC-306168
US$

Buy Now!
Track List:
  1. Preludio
  2. Ciaccona
  3. Coral
  4. Antonio's e-moods ~ Deadly
  5. Antonio's e-moods ~ Lively
  6. Antonio's e-moods ~ Sadly
  7. Antonio's e-moods ~ Happy
  8. Session in Eb ~ Prelude
  9. Session in Eb ~ Milonga Allemande
  10. Session in Eb ~ Chacarera Courante
  11. Session in Eb ~ Sarabando
  12. Session in Eb ~ Milonga Bourree
  13. Session in Eb ~ Gigue au Lot
  14. La Nanna
Information:
Who doesn't love the music of J.S. Bach? You would have to be made of stone if you don't like at least one of his creations, or be an inhabitant of another planet if you have never managed to ever hear his music. The reason is pretty simple: not only is his music an example of unequalled extraordinary genius; his music affected every composer worth his salt who came after him. Mozart reworked some of his compositions for string quartet, Brahms studied all of Bach's oeuvre he could find, even the inventor of 12 tone music Arnold Schonberg was familiar with Bach's work, which he studied and analyzed almost daily. The list of jazz and pop musicians who have reworked or used melodies and harmonies taken from Bach's oeuvre would read like a who's who of modern music culture and fill pages.

And here we have another disc, this time in a unique combination of bandoneon and baroque cello, inspired by his works and those of other composers from the era of the baroque. Composers from the past, joining forces with two present day creators/composers/performers to create something truly contemporary... but in no way lacking in the depth of expression, emotions, even the tongue in cheek humor of the originals.....

Ginastera & Montsalvatge Concerti


NWC-411087
US$

Buy Now!
Track List:
Alberto Ginastera - harp concerto op. 25
  1. I. Allegro giusto
  2. II. Molto moderato
  3. III. Liberamente capriccioso - Vivace
Xavier Montsalvatge - concerto capriccio
  1. I. Leggero
  2. II. Andante da Camara
  3. III. Rondo Guarani
Antonio Soler - bonus tracks
  1. I. Sonata 48 in C
  2. II. Sonata 19 in C
  3. III. Sonata 84 in D
Information:
If we can say that plucked string instruments belong to the oldest that exist in the world today, then the harp certainly has the longest pedigree within our Western musical tradition. It has even been absorbed into the mythology of the gods, and been imbued with magical attributes. Today we are perhaps more distanced from this magic and history, but there is a modern role for the harp as attested by the existence of several fantastic compositions.

The sounds produced by all forms of plucked strings have always captivated the arts and cultures of the Iberian peninsula, and this fascination spread to different continents during the course of centuries. So it is no coincidence that two of the modern harp's masterpieces are products of Spanish speaking composers: the Argentinean Alberto Ginastera and the Spaniard Xavier Montsalvatge. Both shared the same attraction to the grand gestures of the ballet and opera, composing various pieces for those genres. Both were deeply influenced by the works of Stravinsky and of course, the folk music traditions of Spain and her former colonies. These form the threads of similarity that bind the two. Yet despite these common elements, both compositions on this SACD Hybrid are very different in character and temperament. Ginastera's contact with Copland during his American sojourns is clearly evident, whilst Montsalvatge's European orientation towards Le Six provides another tint to his Spanish musical roots. Both compositions taken side by side show how similar basic musical elements of rhythm, sonority and instrumentation are affected and altered by the separation of oceans and different spheres of cultural influence.

In keeping with this Iberian theme, three bonus tracks with pieces of Antonio Soler from an upcoming NorthWest Classics release are also included. Originally written for the harpsichord, these pieces take on a surprisingly vocal character when translated to the sound world of the harp and shed a different insight on Soler's idiomatic writing.

Organum Dominicum


NWC-204089
US$

Buy Now!
Track List:
Jan Willem Brandts-Buys (1868-1933)
  1. Patria, opus 36 (1912)
Max Reger (1873-1916)
Sonata No.2 d minor, opus 60 (1901)
  1. Improvisation
  2. Invokation
  3. Introduktion
Gerard Bunk (1888-1958)
  1. Legende, opus 29 (1908)
 Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)
  1. Fugue a-flat minor WoO 8 (1864)
Samuel de Lange jr. (1840-1911)
Sonata No.5 c minor, opus 50 (1887)
  1. Moestoso
  2. Andante
  3. Finale: Allegro
Information:
The romantic organs from the 19th century used to be looked upon with disdain during the rerival period of the baroque organ, but today the passage of time as tempered our views and allowing us to reevaluate these extraordinary instruments from the distance of the 21st century.

The Sauer organ in the Berlin Cathedral narrowly survived the WWII bombardment that tore away large parts of the building around it. The majority of the instrument is still in original condition, which gives us the unique chance to hear sounds from a past century.

Mozart Violin Sonatas vol.1


NWC-303136
US$

Buy Now!
Track List:
Sonata in Eb KV302 (293b)
  1. Allegro
  2. Rondeau (Andante grozioso)
Six Variations in g on the French song 'Helas, j'ai perdu man amant', KV374b (360)
  1. -   10.
Sonata in C KV296
  1. Allegro vivace
  2. Andante sostenuto
  3. Rondeau (Allegro)
 Sonata in e KV304 (300c)
  1. Allegro
  2. Tempo di Menuetto
Twelve Variations in G on the French song 'La Bergere Celimene', KV374a (359)
  1. -   29.
Information:
NorthWest Classics has always striven to provide their listeners with audiophile recordings of music that is either off the beaten path, or of interpretations that shed new light on well known compositions. Mozart's sonatas for fortepiano and violin fall under this second category, yet however respected by music lovers they have never been strongly represented on the concert podia nor on disc- in our opinion because their content is generally misinterpreted. Most modern performances treat the inherent drama within these pieces of Mozart as being only skin deep, or worse still filigreed like sugar sculpture. One thing is certain: the interpretations on this disc by Ciomei and Fabrizio are like no other. Performed on orginal instruments with a combination of passion and delicacy only few achieve, their view of Mozart is unlike any other on the market and brings hitherto unseen contours and vistas to our concept of the composer and his creations.

3 Concertos for a New Century


NWC-109206
US$

Buy Now!
Track List:
Geert van Keulen Horn Concerto (2001)
  1. Andonte tranquillo
  2. Vivace
  3. Adagio
Theo Loevendie Clarinet Concerto (2002)
  1. Andonte tranquillo
  2. Vivace
Willem Jeths
  1. Flugelhorn Concerto - al fondo per l'oscuro - (2002)
Information:
Contemporary music making has always been an intergral part of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra's repertoire and history, so it was logical that with the 21st century's impending approach the commissioning of new works by Dutch composers was seen as an artistic imperative for the future. This resulted in the commissioning and creation of 3 new solo concerti from outstanding Dutch composers, each of whom was allowed to choose any principal player from the RCO they desired as solists. The first premiere performance was the Horn Concerto by Geert van Keulen with principal hornist Jacob Slagter on the 20th September 2001. Theo Loevendie's Clarinet Concerto for George Pieterson was first performed on the 13th of June 2002. The last to be premiered, on 26th of September 2002, was the Flugelhorn Concerto "Il profundo di dundo", from the hand of Willem Jeths, NorthWest Classics' composer in residence. It was written for the RCO principal trumpettist Peter Masseurs.

These 3 world premieres were recorded directly in audiophile SACD quality, and this NorthWest Classics SACD is in itself a world premiere, being the first SACD release of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra using audiophile recording technology and mastering.

Bella Figura


NWC-202090
US$

Buy Now!
Track List:
Willem Jeths Bella Figura
  1. Onde
  2. Bella Figura
  3. TIM/BA
  4. Chiasmas
Information:
This first SACD of newly composed pieces by the Dutch composer Willem Jeths covers the gamut from solo cello repertoire to piano trio, woodwind quintet as well as the world premiere of TIM/BA for a combination of Eastern and Western percussion instruments with piano, and the piano trio 'Chiasmos' performed by the Osiris trio. All of the performers on this disc represent a cross of the finest Dutch professionals and young talent in the Netherlands today. This audiophile SACD Hybrid recording will also be of great interest to high-end audio enthusiasts who enjoy pushing their music systems to the outer limits- since the compositions of Willem Jeths make great musical and acoustic demand on the performers, their instruments and therefore the audio reproduction system as well.

Buenos Aires


NWC-205275
US$

Buy Now!
Track List:
Astor Piazzolla (1921 - 1992)
  1. El Desbande
  2. Buenos Aires hora cero
  3. Tango nr. 2 (from Tango Suite)
  4. Fuga y Misterio
  5. Leijia's game
  6. Vibraphonissimo (arrangement A.Piazzolla/G.Burton)
  7. Soledad
  8. Anxiety (from 5 Tango Sensations)
  9. Milonga del Angel
  10. Muerte del Angel
  11. Resurreccion del Angel
Information:
Even if you already have other recordings of Piazzolla's music, you have never heard it like this before! Carrefour's interpretations of Piazzolla's existing works transferred to the domain of the marimba quartet are full of surprises- as most listeners who don't know Carrefour are unaware of the marvelous way they make music fit so well to the unusual potential of this particular instrumentation, combining the vocal and the percussive qualities of the marimba into a new mix. On this disc with music by Astor Piazzolla, they are joined by the well-known Norwegian bandoneon performer Per Arne Glorvigen, whose earlier recordings with Gidon Kremer and friends made quite a furor.

Per Arne Glorvigen 'The music of Piazzolla, like the music of Bach , is always strong and loans itself beautifully to being reworked for various instruments. I am always amazed at how different instrumentation brings out new qualities in Piazzolla's music that I never knew even existed beforehand- that's why I am always searching for new combinations.'

Haydn Harp Concerti


NWC-206241
US$

Buy Now!
Track List:
Concerto in F major (Hob. XVIII: 3 - 1771)
  1. Allegro
  2. Largo Cantabile
  3. Presto
Concerto in G major (Hob. XVIII: 4 - 1781)
  1. Allegro
  2. Adagio
  3. Rondo
Double Concerto in F major (Hob. XVIII: 6 - 1766)
  1. Allegro Moderato
  2. Largo
  3. Presto
Information:
It is a little known fact that Haydn's father played the harp, and it must have been at the center of the young Haydn's first musical experiences at home. Although these well known concerti originally had solo parts for keyboard, and keyboard with violin, it is our guess that Haydn would very likely have approved of these new transcriptions performed on the harp. We definitely know that Haydn himself was an ardent transcriber of his own works, and in the style of Haydn himself, Schrama's virtuosity combined with the intimacy of the NRCO, make these well-known pieces sound like new compositions. The harp accentuates the vocal and melodic qualities of this music in a manner that is different from the keyboard versions, bringing out entirely different facets of the musical structure to the listener. In addition all the orchestral scores have been newly edited and carefully compared with the original manuscripts by Anthony Halstead, making this version one of the most carefully researched to date.

The Musical Legacy


NWC-128390
US$

Buy Now!
Track List:
Andreas Ruckers The Elder, 1644
  1. -   2. Pavane & Galiarda
  2. La Gamba
  3. Daphne
  4. Canzon deta Susanne
  5. Tiento sobre la letania de la Virgen
Joannes Daniel Dulcken, 1747
  1. La Felix
  2. La de Vatre
  3. La Sylva
  4. La Marella
  5. L'Affligee
  6. -   13. Fantasia & Fuga (BWV 904)
Information:
For the first time in many years, the famous fortepiano performer, conductor, teacher and early music expert Jos van Immerseel returns to the instrument with which his entire career began: the harpsichord and virginal. Although almost everyone has heard of the violin maker Antonio Stradivari, they are usually unaware of the important developments he made to the iviolin's development. Hans Ruckers fulfilled a similar role in the development of the harpsichord, which is largely unknown, even among today's generation of harpsichordists and early music enthusiasts. The three different instruments used on our disc and the literature performed on them was specially chosen to show how the Antwerp school of harpsichord and virginal making developed through the centuries and influenced composers throughout Europe. The booklet in English, Dutch and French covers the history of Antwerp's keyboard builders and is filled with extensive photographic material regarding these instruments.