Karen Ashbrook

It is with deep regret that ECM and XtraWATT announce the release of Karen Mantler's newest recording Farewell. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made by purchasing the Compact Disc.On Farewell, the visionary singer/songwriter (and daughter of Carla Bley and Michael Mantler) laments the death of feline friend Arnold with an impassioned set that tugs at the heart. Mantler chronicled her relationship with Arnold on two previous XtraWATT releases, My Cat Arnold and the critically acclaimed Karen Mantler And Her Cat Arnold Get The Flu. She had barely finished mourning before entering the historic Grog Kill Studios to record Farewell - not 15 yards from Arnold's final resting place.

The Galax Quartet (Elizabeth Blumenstock and David Wilson, Baroque violins; Roy Whelden, viola da gamba; and David Morris, Baroque cello) is equally at home performing works by 17th and 18th century composers as well as cutting edge, newly commissioned works. Their period instrumentswith gut strings, low angle fingerboards, no chin rests or end pins, and lighter bowsoffer a rich pallet of coloration and nuances to composers of new music. Joined by guest artist Karen R. Clark (contralto) the Galax Quartet takes us on a traversal of three vivid musical realms.

Chandos signed Karen Geoghegan as an exclusive artist in 2007 following her wonderful performances on the BBC TV ‘Classical Star’ programme. This is her fourth recording with the label, following her CD of works by Hummel, Weber, Berwald, Jacobi, Elgar and Gershwin, her CD of French music for bassoon and piano, and her contribution, in the Suite-Concertino in F major, to Noseda’s Wolf-Ferrari CD. All of these received much acclaim, and the expressive maturity and sensitivity of her playing have quickly cemented her status as a rising star.