Zina Schiff - Hovhaness: Concerto No. 2; Works for Violin and Piano - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

The combination of Western violin and Chinese pipa is an unusual one. Nevertheless the timbre of the bowed instrument and of the plucked strings of the Chinese lute go well together. The program includes pieces originally for pipa solo or for violin solo. These pieces have been arranged by the well-known Chinese composer Huang Xiaofei for both instruments. Album Tracks 1. A Distant Land 2. Dou Da Er and Ma LI Ya 3. A la Mu Han 4. Reflections of the Moon on Er-Quan 5. Missing the Beloved 6. Wuxi Scenes 7. Picking Reed Flowers 8. When Will the Locust Tree Blossom 9. Happy Spring Evening 10. All Red the Melon Seeds 11. The Flowers 12. The Embroidered Purse

In 1937, a Viennese antiquarian sells a comprehensive lute tablature, which then ends up in Lviv in today's Ukraine. For decades, the tablature is out of reach and subject to wild speculation. Today, it once again reveals European Renaissance masterpieces, presented here on this album. Bernhard Hofstötter's lute playing has been described as Inchadeptly combining technical ease with a masterful sense of phrasingInch (Lute Society of America) and demonstrating Incha refined rhythmic sensibility and understandingInch (International Record Review). His recordings of the music of the 18th century lute virtuoso Silvius Leopold Weiss have been hailed as containing Inchsome of the most sympathetic and beautiful Weiss-playing yet committed to discInch (Gramophone). To date, Hofstötter has published four solo albums which shine an imaginative and colorful light on the lesser known musical landscapes of the 17th and 18th centuries. His recordings have been met with international critical acclaim. Album Tracks 1. Tarzeto 2. A Fancy 3. Pavan 4. Le Content Est Riche 5. Doulce Memoire 6. Tantum Ergo Sacramentum 7. La Rocha El Fuso 8. Fantasia Bellissima 9. O S'io Potessi Donna 10. Pavana Alla Ferrarese 11. Passt E Mezo 12. Saltarello 13. Forlorn Hope Fancy 14. Passamezo 15. Ferdinanth 16. Pasomeza 17. Tripla 18. Or Vien Ça, Vien 19. Non Dite Mai 20. Tarzeto

Classical Opera continue their Mozart recording cycle with Il Re Pastore - a youthful work that shines with the richness of it's orchestration, inexhaustible melodic inspiration and dazzlingly ingenious score. Founded in 1997 by conductor Ian Page to explore the works of Mozart and his contemporaries, Classical Opera performs with it's own acclaimed period-instrument orchestra, Due to the high quality of it's performances, imaginative programming and ability to discover and nurture outstanding young singers, the company has attracted considerable critical and public recognition. Album Tracks 1. Overture 2. Intendo, Amico Rio 3. Bella Elisa, Idol Mio 4. Alla Selva, Al Prato, Al Fonte 5. Perdono, Amici Dei 6. Aer Tranquillo E Di Sereni 7. Or Che Dici, Alessandro? 8. Si Spande Al Sole in Faccia 9. Agenore? T'arresta 10. Per Me Rispondete 11. No, Voi Non Siete, O Dei 12. Di Tante Sue Procelle 13. Oh Lieto Giorno! Oh Me Felice 14. Dal Piu Fedel Vassallo 15. Elisa! Aminta! E Sogno? 16. Che? M'affretti a Lasciarti? 17. Vanne a Regnar, Ben Mio 18. Compagne Amene 19. Ditelo Voi Pastori 20. Aer Tranquillo E Di Sereni 1. Questa Del Campo Greco 2. Barbaro, Oh Dio! Mi Vedi 3. Nel Gran Cor D'alessandro 4. Per Qual Ragione Resta Il Re 5. Or Per la Mia Tamiri 6. Se Vincendo VI Rendo Felici 7. Oime! Declina Il Sol 8. E Irresoluto Ancora 9. L'amero, Saro Costante 10. Uscite, Alfine Uscite 11. Ma Senti, Agenore 12. Povera Ninfa! Io Ti Compiango 13. Se Tu Di Me Fai Dono 14. Misero Cor! 15. Sol Puo Dir Come Si Trova 16. Voi, Che Fausti Ognor Donate 17. Ola! Che Piu Si Tarda? 18. Ah Giustizia, Signor 19. Signore, Io Sono Aminta 20. Viva L'invitto Duce