Emmanuel X Belena

Dreamtime is a spellbinding collection of works for flute and orchestra which, in Emmanuel Pahud’s words “expresses and gives form to the composers’ most personal, spiritual or dreamlike visions”. The album ranges wide both culturally and chronologically, embracing works by Mozart, Reinecke, Busoni, Takemitsu and Penderecki, and inhabits a dimension “populated by incantations and prayers, in which imagination is woven together and then unravels, and where desire is roused by fantasy”. Pahud is partnered by the Munich Radio Orchestra and its Principal Conductor, Ivan Repušić.

Flautist Alexis Kossenko’s latest offering is evocative, impressionistic: a programme in which flute, piano and voice together have pride of place.

Half Baroque, half contemporary, half French, half British: that is the challenge taken up here by Franck-Emmanuel Comte and Le Concert de L'Hostel Dieu. This recording presents in the same program pieces by Lully and by Purcell, together with contemporary creations by the Frenchman David Chalmin, inspired by Purcell, and by the British composer Martyn Harry, inspired by Lully. Both contemporary composers combine the sounds of Baroque instruments with their own expression, thus removing borders and engaging in a dialogue involving different periods and different languages. Axelle Verner lends her mezzo voice and unique personality to the vocal pieces in this program.