Stewart Cantus Modalis Pratica - In Memoria Mea - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

In the face of the devastation wrought by the First World War, Alexander Kastalsky conceived a musical service of remembrance for the fallen. A pivotal figure in Russian musical life- he was a student of Tchaikovsky and acclaimed as the founder of a new, national church music- Kastalsky composed a choral-orchestral Requiem, for the concert stage. Simultaneously, he worked on the a cappella version heard on this recording to be sung in Russian Orthodox churches. Following the basic structure of the Orthodox Panihida, or memorial service, Memory Eternal, and the short sacred pieces that end the programme, reveal Kastalsky's masterful use of choral sonority and color, his weaving of complex polyphonic textures, and his graceful use of ancient chant melodies.

?The first of two discs by Pieter Wispelwey that will be released in 2023 is a re-assembling of previously released recordings of works by Schubert. This short series is titled In Memoriam and is inspired by a grave loss Pieter suffered a few months ago. The disc includes Schubert's masterpieces for violin and piano, transcribed for cello - and the most famous Trockne Blumen, originally for flute. To accompany Pieter on piano is his faithful musical companion Paolo Giacometti.

Memorias is clair-obscur's birthday present for Astor Piazzolla, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday in 2021. This album provides the listener with comprehensive insights into Piazzolla's musical environment. A novel, unexpected musical context allows us to hear Piazzolla's music in a different way, with a fresh approach. It is obvious why the four musicians from Berlin are called Inchclair-obscurInch. Clair-obscur, a painting technique from the Renaissance, in which opposing light and dark tones are used to symbolize heavenly and earthly elements, is the visual equivalent of the sounds the quartet draw from their instruments on the one hand, warm, intense and clear, and on the other harsh, aggressive and robust. These two poles can also be found in the composition of the quartet two female and 2 male musicians in one ensemble create a unique musical energy.