If one sought a musical manifestation of all the painful expe-riences and tragic failures of European history in the early 20th century, it would be impossible to overlook the symphonies of Gustav Mahler. Here, there is no harmony where discord is more fitting. Here, life cries out, with all the conflict and joy it proffers humanity. In their performances, Kirill Petrenko and the Bayerisches Staatsorchester have enabled these experiences to resonate in remarkable fashion. What better way to launch the Bayerische Staatsoper’s new label than with this outstanding live concert recording. - Nikolaus Bachler (General Manager, Bayerische Staatsoper)
This is the seventh part in the first complete recording of the 72 cantatas in Georg Philipp Telemann’s collection Harmonischer Gottes-Dienst, published in Hamburg in 1726 – the first complete set of cantatas for the liturgical year to appear in print. The cantatas are designated for voice, an obligato instrument (recorder, violin, transverse flute or oboe) and basso continuo, and generally take the form of two da capo arias with an intervening recitative. Although intended for worship, both public and private, Telemann’s cantatas are a masterly blend of tunefulness with skilled counterpoint and vocal and instrumental virtuosity.
Following the celebrated releases of Gunning’s Symphonies Nos. 2, 10 & 12 in 2019 and his concertos for Violin and Cello with the piece ‘Birdflight’ in 2020, Signum presents the recording of Symphonies Nos. 6 & 7 as well as his piece ‘Night Voyage’, performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Yes guitarist Steve Howe with the seventh edition of his Homebrew album series. Homebrew 7 marks the 25th anniversary of the guitar legend’s first album in his Homebrew collection. The Homebrewseries typically features recordings from Steve Howe’s home archive of demos and tracks, originally recorded for one of his many solo or group projects with Yes, Asia, ABWH or GTR. Homebrew 7 differs slightly as none of the tracks have previously been released inany form and there are no plans for any to be rerecorded in the future. “Many are things I’ve enjoyed saving until the right moment,”says Howe, “and the Homebrew series allows this. Some tracks have matured with my nurturing but others have been recently rediscovered.” This collection includes tracks from the late seventies through to 2016 in Howe’s extensive range of playing styles. Each of the 21 tracks is dated and accompanied by Howe’s background notes and details on instrumentation. Most of the tracks are Howe’ssolo recordings with occasional contributions from Dylan Howe and Virgil Howe on drums with Phil Spalding on bass guitar (Half Way).