Various Artists - Paris-Moscou - SUPER-AUDIO CD [Super Audio CD (SACD)]

For her fifth on BIS Clare Hammond has constructed an adventurous programme of twentieth and twenty-first-century variations for piano. From the imposing Chaconne by Sofia Gubaidulina, to the tender grief of Paul Hindemith's variations or Aaron Copland's bold and uncompromising proclamation, the disc presents a fresh perspective on the genre. Hammond opens with Karol Szymanowski's Variations on a Polish Theme from 1904, a virtuosic and intensely Romantic outpouring that contrasts strikingly with the wit and irreverence of Helmut Lachenmann's set on a theme by Schubert. The most recent works in the programme are Harrison Birtwistle's mercurial elegy and it's polar opposite I Still Play, a lyrical waltz composed in 2017 by John Adams. Described as 'a star interpreter of contemporary music' (The Observer), Clare Hammond has developed a reputation for imaginative concert programming. As she herself admits in her liner notes, variation form may on the surface appear to be both limiting and limited, but the works she presents here transcend the form in myriad creative, and at times daring, ways.

Danae Dörken wants to show with her production that music is a place where all people are lifted to the same level - no matter what their origin or cultural background is. The focus is on the connecting element of music between all possible cultures and the folkloristic character of the works, emphasizing the peculiarities of each culture that makes it unique. Called Inchthe discovery of the yearInch by classical music magazine crescendo and Inchon her way to the very topInch by Concerti magazine, German-Greek pianist Danae Dörken is, at age twenty-six, among the elite of internationally acclaimed artists of a new generation, electrifying audiences and peer musicians alike with her stunning technical skills, exceptional charisma and great profundity of her musical thinking.

New York Philharmonic principal flutist Robert Langevin is heard in a charming and sumptuous feast of Parisian music of the golden age. Prior to the Philharmonic, Mr. Langevin held the Jackman Pfouts Principal Flute Chair of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and was an adjunct professor at Duquesne University, in Pittsburgh. Mr. Langevin served as associate principal of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra for 13 years, playing on more than 30 recordings. As a member of Musica Camerata Montreal and l'Ensemble de la Société de Musique Contemporaine du Québec, he premiered many works, including the Canadian premiere of Pierre Boulez's Le Marteau sans maître. In addition, Mr. Langevin has performed as soloist with Quebec's most distinguished ensembles and has recorded many recitals and chamber music programs for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He also served on the faculty of the University of Montreal for nine years. Simply put, this is flute playing of the highest order!