Cake Masters From September 2015

Thomas Adès is among the brightest young stars in contemporary composition, and a musician of broad achievement and influence. His complex and appealing music exhibits a flair for drama, humor, and personal expression and is notable for the creative use of instrumental color. Adès was Music Director of Birmingham Contemporary Music Group 1998–2000, Artistic Director of Aldeburgh Festival 1999–2008, and in September 2016 becomes Boston Symphony Orchestra’s first Artistic Partner. His many awards include the 2015 Sonning Prize and the 2000 Grawemeyer Award. He coaches piano and chamber music annually at the International Musicians Seminar.

"What's Inside: Songs From Waitress", features songs from the upcoming Broadway musical Waitress, for which Sara wrote both music and lyrics. The musical, opening at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre in April 2016, had a recent run at The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) in Cambridge, MA.

"From Darkness" sees the Israeli composer, bassist and singer go back to the very core of his musical idiom and activity, but with Avishai, what may seem as a return to the basics always brings the promise of a new beginning. "From Darkness" once again opens an essential gateway into a new creative and expressive dimension. It is the first time since Gently Disturbed that I have the feeling I am reaching a new, fresh and incredibly substantial form with the trio. A belief reinforced by two outstanding partners, pianist Nitai Hershkovits and drummer Daniel Dor. Both Nitai and Daniel take my music to places and perspectives that I had never suspected it would go and I couldn t dream of anything better. Avishai goes on to describe this chemistry between them as; Here, three becomes one.

'A composer’s mother tongue is the first music he hears; it therefore determines the “genetic inheritance” of the musician’s sound world. The founding father of Armenian art music was Komitas Vardapet. This recording is released in the centenary year of the 1915 genocide. The pieces in this recital may be animated, contemplative, tender, or solemn, but they are very rarely gloomy or woeful. A sort of trust in the future characterises the “Armenian spirit”.

Newly formed Congolese seven-piece band Mbongwana Star releases its debut full-length album, From Kinshasa, on May 19 via World Circuit, distributed in North America by Nonesuch Records; vinyl follows June 9 July 31. The album is available for pre-order on iTunes and in the Nonesuch Store in North America (and in the World Circuit Shop outside North America) with an instant download of the debut single, "Malukayi (feat. Konono No.1)." Thump premiered a brand-new video for the track, which you can watch below; underground music site Boiler Room praises the song for its "eerie postpunk-sounding guitar work, and an altogether unique vibe." In April, the band embarks on a European tour in support of the album.