A.dvorak

Two years after his successful Deutsche Grammophon Debut Album “Home” Kian Soltani returns with a Dvořák Album featuring the famous cello concerto and five arrangements of some of the greatest pieces Antonin Dvořák composed. Dvořák‘s Cello Concerto op. 104 hasn’t been recorded for the yellow label since 2002 (Mischa Maisky with Mehta and Berliner Philharmoniker). Maestro Daniel Barenboim and the Staatskapelle Berlin accompany Kian Soltani in the concerto, while for the other pieces (three of which have been arranged by Kian Soltani himself) he is joined by six cellists of the Staatskapelle Berlin.

Andris Nelsons, Kristine Opolais, and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig form a Dvorák sound from the middle, singing the melodies that the composer concealed in all of the layers of his music with tender, warm, soft colors. Nelsons’ tempos remain calm and relaxed, allowing the omnipresent beauty of Dvorák’s music to unfold and flood the Gewandhaus. This is the first DVD and Blu-ray release of the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig under the baton of its new music director Andris Nelsons. Recorded at the Gewandhaus zu Leipzig, May 2017.

Liszt composed 15 Hungarian Rhapsodies between 1851 and 1855 and another five works between 1879 and 1866. Verdi's Aida was commissioned by the Viceroy of Egypt for the celebrations for the opening of the Suez Canal in 1870. The Slavonic Dances are a cycle of eight dances of folk-dance character which Dvorak first wrote for piano duet, then published in his own orchestral version. Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony enchants the listener by means of its cheerfulness and the recollection of the Italian sun.

Liszt's works and his influence have great significance for the history of music. He was not only one of the most brilliant instrumental virtuosos of all time, but also one of the most distinguished piano teachers the world has ever known. All Chopin's waltzes are typical of the new piano style he created. Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony enchants the listener through its charming cheerfulness and the recollection of Italian sun.

Greatest Ever Classical Gold is a wide-ranging collection of classical favorites, drawn from the best-loved concertos, orchestral music, chamber works, and keyboard pieces. The selections come from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern eras, and the greatest composers in history are represented, among them Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, and many others. Newcomers to classical music will likely recognize most of the pieces immediately, and the few that are unfamiliar to them are instantly accessible and highly memorable.

Few other composers’ music enjoys such enormous popularity and is as frequently performed on stages worldwide and recorded as that of Antonín Dvořák. And it is the symphonic works that are connected with his name most often.

This CD introduces to disc the newly formed Florestan Trio comprising Susan Tomes, Anthony Marwood and Richard Lester, all now-familiar and highly respected artists after their many earlier recordings, both as members of other ensembles and as soloists. Miss Tomes and Mr Lester were, of course, members of the now-disbanded piano quartet Domus (which was joined by Mr Marwood in its last, award-winning recording of the two Fauré Piano Quintets on CDA66766).