Lisa Ragen

For fans of Wilco, War on Drugs and Tom Petty!

Australia’s Lisa Mitchell has been something of a national treasure since she first captured hearts on Australian Idol in 2006. Since her breakthrough, her three albums have all hit the top 10 on the Australian album charts and she has scored five ARIA Award nominations.

This is Japanese violinist Lisa Oshima debut CD for Quartz. She says of the Violin Sonata: “'This is a very special sonata'. With a serious expression my professor, Dr. Andrievsky, spoke these words to me. From his voice I sensed a feeling of sorrow.

The emotional story of a young man in a mental institution for teens who begins to understand his psychosis in the environment of others with mental and emotional problems. He finds intimacy with Lisa, a young woman suffering from dissociative identity disorder.

English soul-influenced pop singer and actress who mixed modern dance grooves with vintage-style R&B. Collection includes: 'Affection' (1989); 'Real Love' (1991); 'So Natural' (1993); 'Face Up' (2001).

Acclaimed flautist Lisa Friend writes: It has long been a dream of mine to record an album featuring the works of some of my favourite American composers. Having grown up in New York, I have cherished memories of watching, as a young child, my father, Rodney Friend (concertmaster), perform with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of his close friend Leonard Bernstein.

Acclaimed flautist Lisa Friend writes: It has long been a dream of mine to record an album featuring the works of some of my favourite American composers. Having grown up in New York, I have cherished memories of watching, as a young child, my father, Rodney Friend (concertmaster), perform with the New York Philharmonic under the baton of his close friend Leonard Bernstein. I recall being in rehearsals, where my father and Bernstein would often discuss the scores during breaks – a time I wish I could relive. This album brings together a selection of American works and original arrangements that hold a special place in my heart. Dad always played Heifetz’s version of Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair, hence my wanting to record it here. Bernstein’s West Side Story, and especially the theme ‘Somewhere’, has been one of my all-time favourites. I have recorded Ashokan Farewell for my brother Steven, knowing how much he loves this beautiful melody.

Endless thanks to James Morehead for his thoughtful feedback and friendship, to Scott Williams at Cotts, Inc. for keeping our digital world spinning, and to Pheralyn Dove, Louis Marks, Joe Pignato, and the SLAB Residency - your belief in us has meant more than we can express.

All of the works gathered on this album have - as different as they may be - one thing in common: they can be heard in the popular and idealized folk tone popular in the Romantic period. Whether Schumann's Fantasiestücke or Schubert's Arpeggione Sonata, all of these pieces catch the ear quickly, stir deep emotions and yet are complexly composed works that place the highest demands on cello and piano. Born in Freiburg, Germany, into a musical family, Tatjana Uhde took her first cello lessons at the age of 6, with her mother Sanja Uhde Mitrovic.