Mozart: Integrale des quatuors a cordes CD

Mozart: Integrale des quatuors a cordes CD booklet notes I spent my final year of high school (1982 - 83) in Arlington, Massachusetts. It was a transitional year for my seventeen year-old self, and one so rich in experiences and impressions that this space is insufficient to cover them all. I took my senior year at the Arlington High School as an exchange student. Aside from the generally very high standard of the teaching in all subjects, I was amazed to find that the school had its own orchestra. This was unheard of, at the time, in Northern Spain, where I had grown up. Not only that: there was the possibility to take music theory classes at college level for those students who were interested. The conductor of the high school orchestra was Pasquale Tassone. The harmony instructor was Leslie Hurwitz. It soon became apparent that these two men were to become very important to me throughout the year. From the vantage point of late 2010, I am happy to look back with gratitude on a friendship with them that has lasted 28 years. Tassone and Hurwitz personified the essence of unstinting encouragement and support. Each in his way provided me with plentiful challenges and occasions to stretch myself. The most obvious of these were the compositions they wrote for me that year. Tassone contributed with his "Nexus II" for solo violin, written for me and dedicated to his master Franco Donatoni. Hurwitz followed suit with his "Sonatine Prudent Pratique" for violin and piano, which I premiered with the composer at the piano on my graduation recital at the Longy School of music, where I studied with the venerable Roman Totenberg. I have been fortunate to receive a stream of compositions from Tassone and Hurwitz through the years. Hurwitz has written several of them especially for me, some of them for Einar Ri¸ttingen and me as a duo. Tassone has sent me many scores of his, several of which I have performed in Norway and elsewhere. In 2009 I asked him to write me a piece for violin and piano, to redress the balance with his two existing "Nexus" pieces for solo violin and Hurwitz's Sonatine and "Enigma" for violin and piano. He responded, a few months later, with the stunning "Trittico", which provided me with the final building stone to fulfil this long overdue recording project. I will spare the generous listener the tedium of attempting to describe the music contained herein. If nothing else, it confirms my long-held tenet (based on 33 years of performing and 40 + of listening experience) that it is not necessary to be a household name or a world celebrity in order to create art of high calibre. There is much in these recordings to enjoy: from the savage bizarreness of "Nexus II" to the playful nobility of "Nexus V"; from the earnestness, reflection and wicked humour of the "Sonatine" to the light-hearted melodic windings of the "Capriccio" and "Divertimento"; from the romance, dreaminess and carefree abandon of "Trittico" to the conundrum of the "Five Pieces"; from the polyphonic invention and comradely winks towards J.S. Bach of the "Suite Baroque" to the mystery of "Enigma". Not forgetting the tenderness of "Para Isabel" and "Para Blazenka", written as greetings to the two people closest to my inner life. I dedicate this album to Leslie Hurwitz and Pasquale Tassone, as a long overdue thank you for many years of treasured friendship. Ricardo Odriozola. December 19th 2010

Mozart: Integrale des quatuors a cordes Organist and composer Chelsea Chen (b. 1983) is internationally renowned for her concerts of "rare musicality" and "lovely lyrical grandeur," and a compositional style that is "charming" and "irresistible" (Los Angeles Times). Her latest album, "Reveries," is an eclectic mix of old and new works for the organ. Standing alongside Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor and Widor's Toccata from the Fifth Symphony are Chen's own arrangements of "Super Mario" and transcriptions of Faure's Dolly-Suite and Debussy's Girl with the Flaxen Hair. Chelsea Chen has electrified audiences throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, and Asia in venues such as Singapore's Esplanade, Hong Kong's Cultural Centre, Kishinev's National Organ Hall, and Philadelphia's Kimmel Center. As a composer she is broadening the classical organ repertoire with her own works based on Asian folksongs. Ms. Chen has soloed with orchestras throughout the world including the Wuhan Philharmonic in China, the Jakarta Simfonia in Indonesia, and the Juilliard Percussion Orchestra in Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. Committed to new music, she has premiered several works by Juilliard composers, Teddy Niedermaier and Ola Gjeilo, and Yale composer, Jordan Kuspa. Appearing in concert with Juilliard harpist Arielle as the ensemble Duo Mango, she has championed works by Paul Desenne, Yui Kitamura, and Roderick Gorby. Ms. Chen has received acclaim as a composer since she premiered her own "Taiwanese Suite" (2003) and "Taiwan Tableaux" (2007) at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Recently her solo organ pieces have been performed in Canada and Taiwan, and her most recent concerto, "Jasmine Fantasy" (for violin, organ, and strings), has been performed by orchestras in the United States, China, and Indonesia. Her solo organ works were featured at the 2011 Region I/II and IV Conventions of the American Guild of Organists. The recipient of the 2009 Lili Boulanger Memorial Award and winner of the 2005 Augustana/Reuter National Organ Competition, Ms. Chen is a graduate of Juilliard, where she received both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees. She was also a full scholarship recipient at Yale University, where she earned an Artist Diploma. Her major organ teachers include Thomas Murray, John Weaver, Paul Jacobs, Monte Maxwell and Leslie Robb, and her primary piano teachers include Baruch Arnon, Jane Bastien and Lori Bastien Vickers. Ms. Chen has recorded multiple CDs including "Live at Heinz Chapel," on the Heinz Chapel organ at the 2005 Convention of the American Institute of Organbuilders, and "Treasuers from the East,", with violinist Lewis Wong in 2010. Her playing has been aired on CNN , "Pipedreams" from American Public Media, Hawaii Public Radio, and Taiwan's Good News Radio. Her compositions are exclusively available from Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc. Ms. Chen is Artist-in-Residence at the Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, and a member of Duo Wong-Chen with violinist Lewis Wong.

Mozart: Integrale des quatuors a cordes The combination of rock and classical elements are heightened on Bedford's musical portrayal of Homer's Odyssey as his multi-layered keyboard work solidly defines the essence of each individual track. Conjuring up mood, compelling rhythmic textures, and elaborate choral arrangements that float above the use of the Hammond organ and the ARP 2600 synthesizer, Bedford with the help of the Queen's College Choir presents a conceptual piece that stays magnificently on course without losing its progressive rock overtones. Mike Oldfield plays guitar on "The Phaeacian Games" and again on "The Sirens" while Andy Summers makes an appearance here as well, contributing his guitar know-how on "Circe's Island" before becoming part of the Police. Even with the utilization of these guitar virtuosos, the emphasis cannot be sidetracked from Bedford's dexterity and excellence as a keyboard player. Throughout these 11 tracks, he summons up the powerful history of Greek lore by customizing his keyboards to dictate the beauty or the fervency of each individual reference. "The Battle in the Hall" is set to a rambunctious pace, while the five inclusions of "Penelope's Shroud" reflects the subtlety of the piano and organ. His employment of such simplistic props as wine glasses, lone gongs, and cymbals don't go unnoticed either, and the welcomed addition of oboes and recorders helps to reinforce a classical ambience in a number of pieces. This album along with 1975's The Ancient Mariner are Bedford's greatest solo achievements, with The Odyssey exhibiting a more progressive environment on the whole. ~ Mike DeGagne First time on CD! Live performance of David's 1976 album 'The Odyssey' recorded at the Royal Albert Hall on January 25th, 1977. The performance was a star studded affair and the features guest appearancdes by David Bedford, Mike Ratledge (Soft Machine), Jon Lord (Deep Purple), Dave Stewart (Egg, National Health), Neal Ardley, Peter Lemer and Mike Oldfield. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Personnel: David Bedford (synthesizer); Sophie Dickson (vocals); Mike Oldfield (guitar); Amanda Finch, Margeret Winkleman, Anne Murray (recorder); Dave Stewart (grand piano); Brian Gascoigne (electric piano); Neil Ardley (Hammond b-3 organ); John Lord, Mike Ratledge (synthesizer); Mireille Bauer (vibraphone, timpani). Liner Note Authors: Jon Kirkman; Tennyson. Recording information: The Royal Albert Hall, London (01/25/1977). Personnel includes: David Bedford; Queens College Of London Choir (vocals); Andy Summers, Mike Oldfield (guitar).

Mozart: Integrale des quatuors a cordes Track Listing of songs: Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120: Ziemlich langsam; Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120: Romance, Ziemlich langsam; Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120: Scherzo; Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120: Langsam; Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F major, BWV 1046: I. Allegro; Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F major, BWV 1046: II. Adagio; Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F major, BWV 1046: III. Allegro; Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F major, BWV 1046: IV. Mineutto con trio; Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F major, BWV 1046: V. Polacca; Cantata No. 202, 'Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten' 'Wedding Cantata', BWV 202 BC G41: Weichet nur; Cantata No. 202, 'Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten' 'Wedding Cantata', BWV 202 BC G41: Phöbus eilt; Cantata No. 202, 'Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten' 'Wedding Cantata', BWV 202 BC G41: Wenn die Frühlings Lüfte streichen; Cantata No. 202, 'Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten' 'Wedding Cantata', BWV 202 BC G41: Sich üben im Lieben; Cantata No. 202, 'Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten' 'Wedding Cantata', BWV 202 BC G41: Sehet in Zufrieden;

Mozart: Integrale des quatuors a cordes Recording information: Musikverein, Vienna.

Mozart: Integrale des quatuors a cordes Michael London's music is inspired by the deeply moving, transcendental poetry of Rumi, the 13th century Persian Sufi mystic. His many influences in his singing and fingerstyle guitar include artists like James Taylor, Richie Havens, Marvin Gaye, Tom Paxton, Ray Charles, Alex DeGrassi and Bruce Cockburn. He performs in concert, at workshops and conferences, and in support of sacred rituals. He is also a teacher of leadership, organizational behavior, creativity, and management at Muhlenberg College. Michael records his original compositions in the meditative space of his own recording studio. "I heard Michael's music for the first time on WXPN (Gene Shay's show) and was blown away by the ways in which he wove the exquisite poetry of Rumi with his own inspired musical creations. Hearing him in concert less than a week later, the intensity of the passion and magic increased 100-fold. Sitting in the audience, surrounded by souls listening with rapt attention, I was moved with a certainty that the poet himself was whispering in Michael's ear throughout the performance. At turns, deeply peaceful and vibrantly energetic. What a gift!" - Edie Weinstein Moser LSW We bought "The Field" several weeks ago, and we listen to it every time we want to feel good or feel inspiration. At the risk of sounding totally enamored, I think your voice is one of the most soothing and lovely voices I have ever experienced. I never tire of your music and poetry, and you make your lovely guitar sound like a variety of instruments. We have all of your CD's, and I love them all; they are all very personal and lovely. ---Cindy London-O'Donnell Wonderful, amazing, sensual, magical, and inventive genius only scratch the surface. I was transformed/transported to a new place of being in the moment of the experience. And the whole experience is still with me! Thank you! - Gail Priest This was a performance like no other. I think the angels must have been listening in, humming along, lending their presence to this magical phenomenon. Each of Michael's songs ripples outward from the unique corner of the soul in which it was first received, creating a sumptuous tapestry of sound and meaning that seeks out -- and illuminates -- those mysterious recesses in the souls of his listeners. This all happens by way of a voice that's a conduit to the innermost heart, coupled with an extraordinarily flexible guitar technique. The result is music which follows the soul with rare proximity through the exquisite, elusive meanderings of its mystical journey. - Claudia Naila Schulte

Mozart: Integrale des quatuors a cordes Track Listing of songs: BachKempff: Chorale Prelude "Nun komm' der Heiden Heiland""; Scarlatti: Sonata in C minor, L. 10; Scarlatti: Sonata in C major, L. 10; Beethoven: Sonata Op. 28 in D, 'Pastorale': 1. Allegro; Beethoven: Sonata Op. 28 in D, 'Pastorale': 2. Andante; Beethoven: Sonata Op. 28 in D, 'Pastorale': 3. Scherzo, allegro vivace; Beethoven: Sonata Op. 28 in D, 'Pastorale': 4. Rondo, allegro ma non troppo; Liszt: Sonetto del Petrarca, No. 104; Liszt: Au Bord d'une Source; Chopin: Fantasie-Impromptu, Op. 66; Chopin: Nocturne in D flat, Op. 27, No. 2; Chopin: Scherzo in C sharp minor, Op. 39; Gottschalk: The Banjo; Ginastera: Danza de la moza donosa;