Alma

Internationally renowned, British prodigy, Alma Deutscher returns with her sensational new album From My Book of Melodies. From My Book of Melodies comprises of melodies Deutscher has composed from the ages of 4 and 14 performed on the piano. Born in 2005, Deutscher is an incredibly gifted composer, violinist and pianist who has received critical and international acclaim for her compositions. She is often compared to many great composers including Mozart and Beethoven. Deutscher composed her first piano sonata at 6. This was followed by a short opera, called The Sweeper of Dreams, composed a year later. She has since written various works for piano, violin and chamber ensembles. Included in this album are melodies from Deutscher’s critically acclaimed opera titled Cinderella. Cinderella was written between the ages of 8 and 12. It has been performed in Austria, USA and Israel.

Following the series devoted to Korngold's string quartets, here is the first instalment in a new project by Alma Quartet and Challenge Classics. In five CDs the Alma Quartet will bring out the late string quartet output by Beethoven and Shostakovich. Each volume will couple a late quartet by the two composers, who shared a "late style" on this medium.

This second opus represents a return to Korngold’s roots, an attempt to rediscover the innocence and enormous artistic fertility that characterised the young composer. His first quartet and his piano quintet attest to an unbelievable talent and a visionary spirit rooted in the musical ferment of Vienna at the beginning of the twentieth century. Beyond the fatigue one inevitably feels upon finishing a recording, we are suddenly aware of the distance we have travelled. Korngold’s music has transported us these last few years, but it has transformed us, too. This recording is our catharsis, a balm for the difficult years of Covid. Today, we realize just how lucky we are to be able to give concerts, to create encounters with audiences and to touch people through our recordings.