Konrad H nteler - Flute Concerti (6) - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Andreas Blau and his orchestral colleagues of the Berliner Philharmoniker are to be admired for discovering the treasure that is Anton Hoffmeister's Flute Quartets, and they play them superbly well, while placing Hoffmeister's output in close proximity to Mozart and Haydn, and in the vicinity of early Beethoven. The solo parts are evidently tailor-made for the flute, and their virtuoso passages seem modeled on cadenzas from Mozart piano concertos. Their musical sensitivity, evident enjoyment and great orchestral experience ensure the recordings do not just document the artistry of so-called minor masters, but are a valuable addition to our view of the brilliant epoch of Viennese classicism.

On Shy Boys' third full-length album, Talk Loud, the Kansas City quintet push themselves artistically at nearly every turn, crafting 11 songs that explore new instrumentation, intricate vocal harmonies, and endearing, yet at times dark lyrics resulting in some of the band's best work to date. Recorded primarily at Jackpot Studios in Portland, OR, with additional mixing and overdubs done at the band's home studio in Kansas City, MO, Talk Loud is both fun and scary at the same time. Every sound is imbued with emotion, every flick of the wrist is meaningful. On InchFraid I Might Die,Inch the band grapples with mortality and the passage of time coupled with some of the most interesting vocal arrangements ever featured on a Shy Boys song. On other stand-outs, like InchView From The Sky,Inch the band highlight their varied musical influences by blending doo-wop backing vocals with laser-show synth work. Talk Loud is cinematic, sparkly, jumpy, and haunting all at the same time - a group of songs that have the heart-string-yanking ability of music concocted in a laboratory, while still feeling heavily human. It's complicated, it's swirly, it surrounds you and extends itself deep into your brain.

With the world in chaos, exhilarating new music has become more important than ever before. As a result, the emergence of French tech-metal mavericks STENGAH could hardly be better timed. One of the most exciting new bands on the planet, the French quintet have spent the last few years in a state of perpetual evolution, armed with some of the most visceral and forward-thinking riffs and refrains in recent memory. Now, the band are ready to introduce themselves to the world.Founded by drummer Eliott Williame in 2013, Stengah have the sound, the smarts and the ambition to push heavy music ever further into the future. After years of steady evolution and meticulous attention to detail, the band - completed by bassist Benoit Creteur, lead guitarist Maxime Delassus, rhythm guitarist Alex Orta and powerhouse frontman Nicolas Queste - have honed their sound to a state of cutting-edge perfection, as showcased on their formidable, forthcoming debut album Soma/Sema. With shades of everything from crunchy post-djent muscularity to scorched-earth post-metal dramatics, these young virtuosos are carving their own unique path to metal glory. Both thrillingly primal and ferociously intelligent, this is music that aspires to enlighten and brutalise in equal measure.The history of metal is littered with the burnt-out shells of bands that lacked the vision and the vivacity to make things happen. For Stengah, the sheer power and fury of their music drives them forward. Meanwhile, the sheer quality and ingenuity of Soma/Sema looks certain to propel the band swiftly up the heavy music ladder and into the spotlight. Newly signed to Mascot tag Group, they're just getting started and the sky's the limit!