Michael Rother, founding member of krautrock groups Neu! and Harmonia, is releasing another new box set. The new collection, Solo II, is out September 4 (via Groenland). Solo II includes three albums from the 1980s (Lust, Süssherz und Tiefenschärfe, and Traumreisen), 1996’s Esperanza, and 2004’s Remember (The Great Adventure), an album of bonus tracks (mostly recorded in the ’90s), and a brand new 2020 album called Dreaming. Speaking about Dreaming, Rother said in a press release, “I had a goldmine of ideas—about seventy-five sketches, and I knew there were some gems in there. I’m delighted by the way the album has turned out.”
Solo includes Michael’s first four solo projects, Flammende Herzen, Sterntaler, Katzenmusik and Fernwärme, a Soundtracks and a Remixes & Live album (only with the vinyl boxset). Speaking about the release, Michael said: ‘I’m incredibly excited to announce my new boxset ‘Solo’. The opportunity to release my first four solo albums, as well as some new music in one package is amazing. This is a body of work that I’m very proud of.’
Anthony Rother - Elixir of Life (2003) & Anthony Rother - Magic Diner (2003).
Anthony Rother is an electro-techno producer from Germany who rose to prominence in the mid-'90s on the label Kanzleramt before founding numerous labels of his own, most notably Psi49net and Datapunk. Influenced primarily by Kraftwerk and Detroit techno, Rother was born on April 29, 1972, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Rother's electro sound ("Simulationszeitalter", "Hacker") is characterized by repetitive machine-like beats, robotic, vocoder-driven vocals, melancholy, futuristic mood and lyrics that often deal with the consequences of technological progress, the relationship between humans and machines, and the role of computers in society. In addition to electro, Rother also composes dark ambient music ("Elixir of Life", "Art Is a Technology").
The Deutsche Oper in Berlin had hardly opened on 24th September 1961 before it started preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary. How was that possible? Had it entered into some sort of time warp? That might indeed have been possible for a theatre that in the past had devoted itself to Richard Wagner’s works. But there was a simpler explanation: the Deutsche Oper Berlin had, in fact, originally opened on 7 November 1912 under the title of Deutsches Opernhaus.
Saint-Saëns excelled as a composer, conductor, pianist and organist – his composition output is enormous, reaching over 160 titles of which many are substantial – operas, ballets, symphonies – yet today much of his work remains neglected and he is known by a few works only: the Organ Symphony, Samson et Dalila, Danse Macabre and Carnival of the Animals. His original piano pieces are generally light ‘salon’ works but are nonetheless delightful and well formed. His major contribution to the piano works is the equally neglected body of transcriptions (of his own works and those of others) where he was sadly eclipsed by the more outgoing and promotion-minded Franz Liszt. This album and its companion include a number of first recordings, introducing a large body of keyboard gems to a new audience. Volume 1 is divided into two sections: transcriptions from Opera and Ballet, and pieces inspired by specific places.
Saint-Saëns excelled as a composer, conductor, pianist and organist – his composition output is enormous, reaching over 160 titles of which many are substantial – operas, ballets, symphonies – yet today much of his work remains neglected and he is known by a few works only: the Organ Symphony, Samson et Dalila, Danse Macabre and Carnival of the Animals. His original piano pieces are generally light ‘salon’ works but are nonetheless delightful and well formed. His major contribution to the piano works is the equally neglected body of transcriptions (of his own works and those of others) where he was sadly eclipsed by the more outgoing and promotion-minded Franz Liszt. This album and its companion include a number of first recordings, introducing a large body of keyboard gems to a new audience. Volume 1 is divided into two sections: transcriptions from Opera and Ballet, and pieces inspired by specific places.
AKP special exclusive "Breaking Free Tour" compilation CD! Karfagen & Sunchild is the projects of the composer, multi-instrumentalist Anton Kalugin. Since 2006, he released 15 albums in English label Caerllysi Music. Musicians actively and successfully represents Ukraine on the world progressive rock scene. Behind performances of the team in the famous international rock festivals, numerous reviews, reviews of the major recognized Internet portals. France, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, United Kingdom - the countries where Karfagen / Sunchild professionally presented interesting, melodic, dynamic and at the same atmospheric material, roots stretching into the legacy of bands like Pink Floyd, Camel, Focus, Happy the Man , Yes, Genesis, Marillion.
The Orchestra of the Antipodes' 2011 set of J.S. Bach's Brandenburg Concertos is certainly worth having for its exquisite period performances of these perennial favorites, but it is even more attractive for offering eight popular sinfonias from the cantatas, thereby giving listeners added value in an already excellent set. The Australia-based ensemble plays original instruments, and the performances are appropriate in textures, tempos, and ornamentation, so everything a fan of Baroque performance practice could want can be found here. The pacing is fleet and efficient, the counterpoint is transparent, and the sonorities are bright, so the combination will certainly excite even the most experienced devotees of these works.
Hyperion’s Romantic Violin Concerto series returns with three real rarities, rescuing them from their current neglect. All receive the strongest advocacy from Linus Roth, who plays them like the repertoire standards they may one day become.