Konrad Ragossnig - Tipico Brasileiro - Guitar Music of Our Time - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

The contrast between sounds that are blown and sounds that are plucked has retained a special fascination throughout all periods of history. Our duo - recorder and guitar - was one of the first ensembles of it's kind in our time. We have enjoyed playing Baroque music as well as (with transverse flute) works from the Classic and Romantic periods in numerous concerts and recordings. But the music of our own time also has an important place in our repertoire. The recording at hand contains contemporary music representing markedly different tendencies. Most of the works were written or arranged especially for us. Hans-Martin Linde recorder / Konrad Ragossnig guitar.

This new album is a stroke of luck. For 15 years Nina Stemme has been reinvigorating Wagner's female roles with the dramatic soul and vocal power previously attained perhaps only by her compatriot Birgit Nilsson. Nina Stemme's role interpretations are met with great acclaim among both audience and critics, and 2013 she was the first recipient of the Opera Award for Best Female Singer. Nina Stemme was appointed Swedish Court Singer 2006, Austrian Kammersängerin 2012, and she has been selected InchSinger of the YearInch twice, 2005 and 2012, in the German magazine Opernwelt. On this she performs works from Tristan und Isolde, Siegfried, Hollander, and Die Walkure

Rooted in European music, native folk traditions and often infused by jazz, Brazilian music encompasses a huge variety of dance forms and songs. Prize-winning guitarist Pedro Aguiar has selected a panoramic recital to illustrate these elements which include the choro and music rich in melody and rhythmic vitality. From Villa-Lobos, whose Charos No. 1 is one of the most popular guitar solos ever written, through to the work of the revered Dilermando Reis, and on to contemporary examples of the genre, this is music of dazzling virtuosity and finesse.