Izhar Elias - Semiramide Arrangements for Guitar - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Kumi Uchimoto began studying piano at the age of four. She went on to study with Chieko Hara de Cassado and Ryoko Fukazawa before continuing her studies in Italy with Nunzio Mantanari, Martha Del Vecchio, and Michele Campanella. She received her diploma summa cum laude from the Conservatorio 'C. Monteverdi' in Bolzano and specialized at the Accademia Pianistica di Imola, receiving her diploma as a soloist. On her new for Stradivarius she presents 24 Piano Preludes that come from her home country of Japan. The composers, including Akiko Yamane, Tomoko Fukui, Motoharu Kawashima, and others, utilize an engaging and intriguing combination of Western classical music techniques and Japanese folk ideals.

This original and appealing program presents works of Beethoven in chamber music arrangements with guitar, written by contemporaries, a practice that was quite common in the period, playing it's role in the popularization of the music. Eminent guitarist Izhar Elias plays on several period instruments, including a rare terz instrument, smaller in size and tuned a minor third higher in order to achieve a more brilliant sound. He is joined by violin, viola and another guitar, according to the setting of the arrangements.

Thomanerchor Leipzig - Choral Music for Christmas [COMPACT DISCS] date 10/24/2006