Helene Krollen Muller

Both Benjamin Britten and his teacher Frank Bridge at one point owned the Giussani viola played by Hélène Clément on this album, which features pieces the two composers wrote for the instrument. The most substantial work here, Britten’s Lachrymae, is a series of pensive variations on a theme by John Dowland and is performed evocatively by Clément. In the Elegy, also by Britten, the Giussani viola’s special eloquence is evident in its deep tonal resonance and vivid responsiveness to Clément’s pizzicatos. Mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly’s stirring performance of Bridge’s Three Songs is another highlight, as is the vein of aching sadness Clément finds in another of Bridge’s works, There Is a Willow Grows Aslant a Brook.

"Mande Kulu", "The Mandé Mountain" is the title of the Kala Jula’s CD released on March 29, 2017 on Buda Musique (Paris). In this latest chapter of their musical ventures, Samba Diabaté and Vincent Zanetti are accompanied by two French musicians, major figures in European jazz and world music, the violinist Jacky Molard and bassist Hélène Labarrière.

Helene Grimaud presents her first-ever Bach recording! Once again, charismatic Helene Grimaud presents an album with an individual concept. Bach vs. Bach Transcribed brings together original keyboard works by the master with works by Bach arranged (transcribed) for the piano by pianist-composers of later generations: Busoni, Liszt & Rachmaninov. This is the first time that Hélène Grimaud has recorded Bach - a challenge for any musician. The repertoire includes the famous Well-Tempered Clavier II and the Concerto no. 1 in D minor, the latter performed with Grimaud's regular collaborators, the Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. Bach "Transcribed" features the Bach/Busoni version of the Chaconne in D minor, the Violin Partita in E major arranged for piano by Rachmaninov, and Liszt's version of the Prelude and Fugue in A minor. A landmark project in Grimaud's successful career, this recording is bound to be a best-seller.