Craig Calhoun, et Al., Classical Sociological Theory

Iannis Xenakis - Oresteïa - Ensemble de Basse-Normandie, Spiros Sakkas et al. (1990) {Salabert Actuels SCD8906 rec 1987}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 280 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 119 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 91 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1987, 1990 Salabert Actuels | SCD8906
Classical / Modern Classical / Experimental / Avant-Garde / 20th Century

Oresteïa [1966] for children's choir, mixed choir and instrumental ensemble, for solo baritone and percussionist soloist on Greek texts from Aeschylus. Kassandra is an independent work, but it is obligatorily interpreted when one plays Oresteïa (which includes three other parts: Agamemnon, Choéphores, Euménides). Spiros Sakkas gives an unheard of interpretation, alternating head and chest. Because the soothsayers are always double beings, between reason and delirium.

Poulenc - Complete Chamber Music, Vol.1 - Alexandre Tharaud et al. (2000) {Naxos 8.553611}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 208 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 134 Mb
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© 2000 Naxos / HNH International | 8.553611
Classical / Early Modern / Early 20th Century / Chamber Music

This excellent first volume in what promises to be a two-disc collection of Poulenc's complete chamber music offers performances that compare favorably with the best available. All of the musicians are superb, but several deserve special mention. Alexandre Tharaud plays Poulenc's piano parts with great flair, wit, and a true feeling for the music's manic shifts from raucous high spirits to nostalgia and melancholy. Since all of these works feature the piano, the importance of his contribution can't be overestimated.

Karim Shehata - Prélude - Selected Piano Works by Chopin, Rachmaninov, Debussy, Blumenfeld, Arensky, et al. (2019) {Genuin}
FLAC (tracks) - 16bit/48kHz - Official Digital Download (highresaudio.com) -> 196 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 117 Mb
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© 2019 Genuin | GUIN 19653
Classical / Solo Piano

This sensuous and poignant release by pianist Karim Shehata, his second album on the GENUIN label, is more than just a prelude: it is a collection whose pieces flow into each other, comment, prelude and postlude so seamlessly that, without the booklet, it is hard to believe that these are exclusively preludes - pieces conceived as preparation for something essential. The list of composers is a "Who is Who" ranging from Johann Sebastian Bach to Olivier Messiaen. The young and yet already mature Karim Shehata plays all this with such ease and depth that one would like to rank him among the greats! Absolutely recommendable.

The outstanding musical significance of Johann Rosenmüller, who was said to be able to merge Italian sensuality and German “gravitas” in his compositions in the most harmonious way, was already undisputed among his contemporaries. He studied in Leipzig, and quite soon the town council realized that he was a musician of an immense talent. Rosenmüller therefore received a position at the famous Leipzig Thomasschule, and was considered as the future successor of the ill Thomaskantor, Tobias Michael.

The title A due alti does not carry any metaphorical meaning, but simply means "for two altos": these are little Baroque chamber songs for a pair of altos and a good-sized continuo group. This repertory is almost completely unknown, but as august a personage as Handel took it up in Caro autor di mia doglia, HWV 182, and cared enough about that piece to go back and rework it years later (it is the later version that is heard here).

In a time of change and challenge, Fumito Nunoya was inspired by the transcendent power of music and found solace and connection through it. 'Marimba Prayers' presents a diverse selection of works ranging from Bach to contemporary composers including Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco,Tomasz Golinski, Ludwig Albert; Harold Arlen, Ennio Morricone, Astor Piazzolla and even the traditional Irish tune Danny Boy! Nunoya's virtuoso playing touches the soul and invites you on a profound journey of discovery.