Max Tegmark L'universo Matematico

Hermann Max's recording of J. S. Bach: Matthaus Passion with the Rheinische Kantorei and Das Kleine Konzert embodies current orthodoxy in most respects: two choirs of 16 voices each are partnered by two orchestras of comparable size, with period instruments sounding at low (Baroque) pitch; tempos are mostly quite sprightly and textures light; ornamentation is sparing and discreet, but cadential appoggiaturas in the recitatives are mostly in place (though the latest fashion seems to be increasingly to omit them). Christoph Pregardien and Klaus Mertens are ideally cast as the Evangelist and Jesus: precise in diction, judicious in expression. The other soloists are more variable.

Max Reger made significant contributions to practically every musical genre – this box set focus is on his chamber music and cello sonatas. This tonal and formal combination fascinated Reger over the course of a quarter of a century. Since the individual CDs are no longer available, for the Reger Year 2016 CPO is now releasing the complete recording of this enthralling group of works in a box set at a special low price, along with his complete cello sonatas and a new booklet containing all the introductory texts and updated biographies of the equally fascinating musicians, including Ulf Wallin and Roland Pöntinen.

"Foreign Masters", an album that celebrates the profound influence of immigrant composers on 18th-century London, transforming it into the cultural capital of the world, is set to release this September. This collection features exquisite music for recorder and harpsichord, showcasing the brilliance of composers who brought their European heritage to London. Performed by Max Volbers, a prizewinner of the Deutscher Musikwettbewerb and one of the most versatile young musicians in early music today, the album promises to captivate listeners with it's artistry and historical depth. Immerse yourself in the works of legendary composers such as Georg Friedrich Handel, Arcangelo Corelli, Giuseppe Sammartini, James Paisible, Giovanni Carbonelli, Giuseppe Alberti, Johann Pepusch, and more. Each piece is a testament to the rich, multicultural tapestry that shaped London's musical landscape.

After listening to this inspired oratorio, it’s clear why Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf was recognized in his day as Franz Joseph Haydn’s primary competitor. It’s a lovely work, loaded with drama, style, and expertly crafted instrumental and vocal writing. From the dramatic dotted rhythms and churning string sequences of the overture to the resounding spirited choral fugue finale, Dittersdorf’s music masterfully propels his grandiose subject matter, commanding attention more profoundly than any recorded vocal/choral work in recent memory (and this one’s more than two and a half hours long!).