Soulbound - Syn - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Beethoven wrote sympathetically for the cello throughout his career, from the ardent, lyrical voice of the Op.1 piano trios onwards, and he rarely subjugated the instrument to it's basso continuo role still prevalent in the works of Mozart and Haydn. He never contemplated a cello concerto, but his five sonatas, plus sets of crowd-pleasing variations on popular themes by Handel and Mozart, have attracted the great cellists of every era. However, the record catalogue boasts comparatively few period-instrument accounts, made according to the performing principles and bowing of Beethoven's day, and so this new Brilliant Classics set promises a new and refreshing perspective on some perennially audacious masterpieces. The Op.5 Sonatas are intended to astound as well as to innovate. For the first time in the history of the cello repertoire, both instruments were invested with equal importance. The piano writing is scarcely less bold and quick-thinking, requiring both musicians to turn on a sixpence from soloist to accompanist and back again, emulating the more equal dialogue of a string quartet. Formal novelty is also in evidence, in the expanded slow introductions and then in the four-movement structures of Op.69 and Op.102 No.1. In every way the last sonatas belong to Beethoven's late period posing questions to listeners as well as performers with every bar, transcending the limits of the instruments to sing and shout, contemplate and argue. The partnership of Mario Testori and Costantino Mastroprimiano is an experienced one, with a well-received Brilliant Classics album (95023) of late-Classical sonatas by Hummel, Moscheles and Ries to it's credit. The pianist also contributes an enlightening booklet essay to this valuable contribution to the Beethoven anniversary year.

Welcome to InchobsYdianInch! With dark elegance, full of reflection and a certain toughness, the new Soulbound album represents the band's journey through the last few years, both musically and in terms of content. InchobsYdianInch unites a spectrum of intense themes. These range from the intense confrontation with one's own inner demons to socially critical observations and deep, personal experiences, such as the topic of farewell. When trying to categorize Soulbound in a musical category, the band is often compared to genres such as gothic rock or industrial metal. However, if you ask the guys, they say we make InchwedontgiveafuckmetalInch, the main thing is that it bangs and is fun.They always remain approachable without developing any rock star airs and graces. The group is characterized by it's down-to-earth attitude and humanity. Their fans appreciate Soulbound for their closeness, openness and honest statements. And Soulbound are not afraid to address serious topics such as the stigmatization of mental illness or to make clear statements against discrimination and exclusion.InchobsYdianInch is not just an album for the musicians; it is an expression of their development, views and feelings. Welcome to our new chapter InchobsYdianInch!

The masterful follow-up to his universally celebrated 2017 album 50, Michael Chapman's True North finds the elder statesman of British songwriting and guitar plumbing an even deeper deep and honing an ever keener edge to his iconic writing. This authoritative set of predominantly new, and utterly devastating, songs hews to a more intimate sonic signature -more atmospheric, textural, and minimalist than 50, stately and melancholy in equal measure. Recorded in rural West Wales, True North unflinchingly surveys home and horizon, traveling from the Bahamas to Texas to the Leeds of Chapman's childhood, haunted by the mirages of memory and intimations of mortality. Joining him on this introspective journey is a cast of old friends and new disciples once again Steve Gunn produces and plays guitar, and fellow UK songwriting hero Bridget St John sings, collaborating with cellist Sarah Smout and legendary pedal steel player BJ Cole, who has accompanied everyone from John Cale to Scott Walker, Elton John to Terry Allen, Felt to Björk to Brian Eno.