Ever since his brilliant first appearance in Munich with the Requiem, he is still a regular guest at the BR. Riccardo Muti is currently regarded as a mature representative of the great Italian tradition. This CD release therefore has to be seen as a “classically polished gem” – a gem that shines and flashes as beautifully and as brilliantly as ever!

In addition to his symphonies, Anton Bruckner is best known for his sacred works: his stirring masses and his deeply moving a cappella motets. On this new BR-KLASSIK CD, to mark the Bruckner Year 2024, the Bavarian Radio Chorus and the Münchner Rundfunkorchester conducted by Peter Dijkstra present his Mass No. 2 together with five well-known motets and the two short Aequali for three trombones from 1847.

In the Revelation of James, an apocryphal gospel that was not included in the Bible, events and details surrounding the birth of Christ are reported that do not appear in the better-known versions of the Christmas story from the gospels of Matthew and Luke. In particular, it portrays very real people, full of emotions and conflicting feelings. Mary, not Jesus, is the focus of the narrative.

'It would be difficult to find a simpler and more poignant subject', Massenet remarked during the composition of Ariane, a vast score in five acts premiered at the Paris Opera in October 1906. The libretto by Catulle Mendes is part ancient drama, part symbolist poem, and sets Phaedra and Ariadne, two sisters in love with Theseus, in violent conflict with each other. This epic work does not shrink from relating the combat against the Minotaur, from showing a ship tossed by the raging billows, nor even from transporting the audience to the Underworld where Persephone reigns.

The award-winning early music ensemble Capella de la Torre is releasing its new recording of musical treasures from the early Baroque period in collaboration with the Bavarian Radio Choir - one of Germany's top choirs - and conductor Florian Helgath.

"Swirling guitars… layers of noise… drugged out soft male and female vocals going back and forth… sounding like part love, part death, part hope, part sadness. It's as if they've turned their instruments into liquid and poured them into your ears."

Psychedelic Rock Band based in Brighton (UK).

Malin Pettersen's creative drive is an inexhaustible source. In recent years, it’s been overflowing with frequent musical releases – without the quantity compromising the quality. On the contrary: Pettersen demonstrates how durable her music is, and that her songs fit multiple formats and expressions.

Schubert's influence, the spirit of fantasy, and pictures from fairy tales are the common themes in this fifth volume of the Schumann Collection. For this great journey across the Schumannian realm, which starts off with one of his early works, the expansive Quartet for Piano and Strings WoO 32, and concludes with the twilight miniatures of Marchenerzahlungen (Fairytale Narrations), brothers Pierre and Theo Fouchenneret are still at the head of a fine team of chamber musicians bringing together long-time collaborators and great talents of the young generation.

The title Kyma refers to the Greek word for ‘wave’, encapsulating the concept of continuous flow and movement, much like both sound and waves.

ACROSS THE HORIZON from Albany Records showcases Nicholas Goluses’ masterful guitar artistry through a journey of sounds from around the world. From Piazzolla’s Cinco Piezas — his only solo work for guitar — to Villa-Lobos’ evocative Five Preludes, the album spans several diverse musical landscapes. Bill Dobbins’ Fantasia blends jazz and classical idioms, while Houghton’s Stélé explores Greek mythology and landscapes. Stephen Goss’s A Concerto of Colours captures the vibrancy of the American Southwest, and Andrew York’s Home offers a poignant conclusion to a program highlighting the prowess of six visionary composers.

Every once in a while, an album will come your way that both delights and impresses the ear. Like shooting stars, these are not completely rare occurrences but it's the fortunate person who gets to enjoy the experience… This album makes a statement and says a lot.

Haydn's keyboard sonatas, more than sixty in total, span almost his entire career. However, in the 1780's the genre became much less of a preoccupation for him while he concentrated more on string quartets and piano trios. An increasing number of commissions further added to his workload. Then, in the period when he was preparing for the second of his two visits to London (1794-5), we find the sonata genre crowded out by his other commitments. Nevertheless, the sonatas Hoboken XVI: 48 to 52 (1789-94) are among the most richly satisfying compositions of Haydn's full maturity.

A new generation of jazz musicians appears to be taking over, and you couldn't ask for better news… Their interplay is impeccable, and their camaraderie is impeccable. A mountain of atmosphere awaited us—powerful, convincing, subtle…
PitNieuws (Belgium)

Moroccan pianist Aïda Lahlou makes an exciting and noteworthy recording début with Mirrors and Echoes, released by Resonus Classics on 19 September 2025.