Sean Shibe returns to the classical guitar on Profesión, bringing together works by Agustín Barrios, Heitor Villa-Lobos and Alberto Ginastera. The album derives its name from Barrios’s “Profesión de Fe” (profession of faith), a poem which he often used as a preface to his concerts. The poem references indigenous mythological deities, and praises the power of the guitar as the ultimate conduit to the secrets of the divine South-American destiny.

Robert Muller-Hartmann was born in Hamburg, in 1884, the son of the piano teacher and clarinettist Josef Muller and his wife, Jenny. He studied in Berlin for four years, but then returned to Hamburg where he pursued a successful career combining teaching, composing, and writing. His works were widely performed by conductors such as Karl Muck, Carl Schuricht, Richard Strauss, Otto Klemperer, and Fritz Busch, and regularly played on German Radio. With the advent of National Socialism, in 1933, Muller-Hartmann was forced to resign from his teaching posts at the University and Conservatory.

The music of Unsuk Chin is a magical realm in which new perspectives are constantly unfolding. Labyrinths of novel sounds and complex structures can be followed by moments of transcendental beauty. For us as an orchestra, this world poses certain challenges — indeed, it is part of Unsuk Chin’s style to test the limits of performing techniques. Or, to put it another way, she lets us show off our strengths. Her inventiveness exemplifies the inexhaustible vitality of today’s music. These qualities have made Unsuk Chin one of few composers with whom we’ve collaborated so frequently and productively.

The Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin and conductor Carlo Montanaro present a powerful interpretation of Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca, together with a cast of soloists including Melody Moore (Tosca), Ștefan Pop (Cavaradossi) and Lester Lynch (Scarpia). Tosca has been an audience favourite from the onset. Premiered in 1900, it marks the beginning of twentieth- century opera, in which sex, violence and the uncanny abysses of the human psyche would be explored, inspiring composers to expand the musical means of expression in all thinkable ways.

"John Prine" is the first album by American Country/Folk singer-songwriter John Prine. His 1971 self-titled debut set the tone for the rest of his career. A critical smash and a commercial disappointment, the record contains many of his best known compositions. Proving himself capable of tackling folk balladry, country, and rock with ease, Prine seems to spring into being as a fully formed singer-songwriter at age 24.

"The Rite of Spring" is an album by flautist Hubert Laws released on the CTI label featuring jazz interpretations of classical music compositions. The Allmusic review stating "Long before Wynton decided he could play classical chops as well as the real long-haired interpreters, even though he was a jazz musician, Hubert Laws and his partners at CTI gave it a run with a jazz twist, and for the most part with a far more adventurous repertoire".

A self-titled 2013 EP signalled the arrival of indie-rock quintet Foreign Diplomats as a promising new act, and they now take giant strides with first full-length "Princess Flash". Helmed by ace American producer, Brian Deck (Modest Mouse, the Shins), the album showcases their impressive dynamic range and instrumental ability.

Cappella Records is proud to present the world première recording of DANIEL KNAGGS’ TWO STREAMS, performed by the GRAMMY® Award-winning Houston Chamber Choir led by Robert Simpson, with string ensemble Kinetic and world-class soloists.

A Word from Monique Richard, Artistic Director: The Choeur Louisbourg is delighted to present Tapisserie canadienne aux couleurs d’Acadie, a musical program featuring Acadian and Francophone musical and literary works from New Brunswick. This program reflects the choir’s commitment to promote contemporary music, particularly the music of the Acadian and Francophone communities from across our province. We hope these new and lesser-known choral works will become more commonplace in the repertoire of Canadian choral music.

"Jasmine" is a 2010 duet album by American pianist Keith Jarrett and bassist Charlie Haden. The album was recorded in 2007 at Jarrett's home studio in Oxford Township, New Jersey during the recording of a documentary about Haden.

"Shades of Deep Purple" is the debut studio album by the English rock band Deep Purple. The band, initially called Roundabout, was the idea of former Searchers drummer Chris Curtis, who recruited Jon Lord and Ritchie Blackmore before leaving the project. The Mk. I line-up of the band was completed by vocalist/frontman Rod Evans, along with bassist Nick Simper and drummer Ian Paice, in March 1968.

Coming after the Spring-themed "Sakura Sakura", "Summertime" is the second in bassist-vocalist's Nicki Parrott's seasonal series of albums. An all-star group of New York-based musicians supports the immensely gifted Parrott on this release. Her sister Lisa is noticeably featured on alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, and bass clarinet. The addition of the marvelous young trumpeter Dominick Farinacci is a great delight.

The Bar-Kays released their first single "Soul Finger" in April 1967. That same year they were chosen by Otis Redding to play as his backing band. In December Otis and four of the Bar-Kays band members died in an airplane-crash. Trumpeter Ben Cauley, Bassist James Alexander and producer Allen Jones assembled a new lineup and became the Stax house band. The 1978 they released 'Money Talks', in fact an album of unreleased Stax material. 'Money Talks' is the essence of late 70's funk. The title track is the most mainstream cut, but that's just an aperitif for the rest of the album. Two superb versions of their top ten hit-single "Holy Ghost" with a sheer percussive joy held together with prototypical Stratocaster work. 'Money Talks' is for sure a 100% Soul-Funk classic!

Always eager to reach contemporary audiences without compromising his values, Woody Herman saw to it that his repertoire included interpretations of material carefully chosen from the pop charts. In 1972, such choices were still possible, and The Raven Speaks presents Tony Klatka’s arrangement of “Watermelon Man,” Bill Stapleton’s of “It’s Too Late,” and Alan Broadbent’s of “Summer of ’42.” The band incorporated a demon trumpet section led by Al Porcino, the drumming of Joe LaBarbera, and tenor sax solos by the rising star Gregory Herbert and by Frank Tiberi, who was to take over the band following the leader’s death 15 years later. Herman himself solos brilliantly on clarinet and soprano sax.

Houston Express is the ninth album led by saxophonist Houston Person. Houston Person's the main soloist in front of bigger backings – heard here in a style that's a bit like some of the changes in funky jazz that were going on over at Kudu Records during the same time – a filling up of the background rhythms, but still with hip players overall – and plenty of room for the main soloist to do his thing! Horace Ott conducts the backings, and brings in a soulful undercurrent that almost gives a few of the sharper numbers a soundtrack feel. Titles include "The Houston Express", "Young Gifted & Black", "Give More Power To The People", "Chains of Love", and "Enjoy".