Combining the beauty and power of a string quartet with the harmonies and melodies that were the hits of 2017 is a great idea, but does it work? Yes, with the Vitamin String Quartet, or VSQ, which is a series of string quartet projects developed and produced by CMH Label Group, an independent record company … Read more
Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer and violinist of the late Romantic and early-modern periods. The composer has been quoted as saying, “I do not care for the piano – it is an unsatisfying, ungrateful instrument.” Also, “the piano does not interest me; it cannot sing.” However, in the hands of pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, … Read more
Skylark is a 12-voice ensemble that is a premier group of leading American vocal soloists, chamber musicians, and music educators. Based in the Boston area, the ensemble strives for the highest standard of repertoire and is a first-class vocal ensemble. Skylark announces their new release, Winter’s Night. A Christmas concert based around the music of … Read more
Cappella Romana’s conductor Alexander Lingas directs the Cappella Romana vocal ensemble in an exhilarating Christmas celebration like no other. Presenting Byzantine chants for Christmastide in Greek, Arabic, and English. This debut release by PRÓTO, The Sun of Justice: Byzantine Chant for Christmas, presents traditional chants for the Byzantine celebration of Christmas, including selections from The … Read more
Ember Trio is a British (London) based string trio consisting of violinist Elliot Lyte and cellists Tom Huet and Chris Gascoine. The trio has released an album of very creative arrangements of eight cover songs titled, YouTube Sessions 2017. The trio has a contemporary sound, using various sounds, percussion, and electric and acoustic instruments. After … Read more
South African soprano Pretty Yende has returned with a new album titled, Dreams. Yende’s fine soprano voice of lush beauty and warmness presents thirteen tracks. Including the celebrated role of Lucia from Lucia di Lammermoor, a role which she will also perform in New York next season. Yende used this as the starting point for … Read more
Polish violinist Janusz Wawrowski has released his third Warner Classics album titled, Brillante. Recorded with the Stuttgarter Philharmoniker, featuring Polish and German music – Henryk Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 2 and Max Bruch’s Scottish Fantasy. The repertoire choice symbolically reflects the dialogue between the Polish and German nations and their shared – frequently difficult – … Read more
Camille & Julie are the Berthollet sisters, two extraordinarily gifted musical siblings from the idyllic Rhône-Alpes region in France. Camille (age 18), plays violin and cello and Julie (age 20), violin and viola. They became celebrities in France when the then 15-year-old Camille won Prodiges, a TV show for classical virtuoso’s under the age of … Read more
Daniil Trifonov (dan-EEL TREE-fon-ov) is a Russian pianist that is making a spectacular sound in the world of classical music as a solo artist, a champion of the concerto repertoire, a collaborator at the keyboard in chamber music and song, and a composer. Trifonov’s playing is a combination of consummate technique and intense sensitivity. Focusing … Read more