Schumann Holliger

The complete edition of Robert Schumann's symphonic works with the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne under Heinz Holliger is now available as a 6 album set.

Heinz Holliger is widely considered the greatest oboe virtuoso of modern times. He is also a noted composer and conductor; as a composer he is one of the few who has maintained a strict adherence to serial procedures. Holliger has been the recipient of many prizes, including the Robert Schumann Prize of the City of Zwickau in Germany, and he is an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

For her new double-album Sol Gabetta teams up with excellent French pianist Betrand Chamayou, with whom she plays sold out concerts in major concert halls. The album features Mendelssohn's complete works for cello and piano and new, short pieces written by famous contemporary composers Wolfgang Rihm, Heinz Holliger, Francisco Coll and Jörg Widman specifically for this album, all of which were inspired by Mendelssohn’s beautiful "Lied ohne Worte, Op. 109." The album was recorded at the famous new Philharmonie de Paris.

The Swiss oboist, composer and conductor Heinz Holliger is without doubt one of the "grand old men" of the European classical music scene. Now in his 83rd year, the busy all-round musician is still bursting with verve, curiosity and the desire to make music. His latest album is called "Les Roseaux Chantants" ("The Singing Reed Flutes"), an allusion to the double reed with which the notes on the oboe and the cor anglais are made to sound. Works were chosen that were composed for the unusual combination of two oboes plus English horn. A tonally attractive combination, as the works by Beethoven, Wranitzky, the Swiss composer Rudolph Ganz and, last but not least, Heinz Holliger himself, impressively demonstrate.

Quite amazing what astonishing musical colours and sound effects an ensemble of three reed instruments can achieve. To be heard on the new album with Swiss music legend Heinz Holliger. The title »Les Roseaux Chantants», the »singing reeds», refers to the double reed through which the oboe and cor anglais (and also the bassoon) are blown to set the air vibrating and produce sounds. Works by Ludwig van Beethoven, the Swiss composer Rudolph Ganz (1877-1972), Anton Wranitzky and Heinz Holliger. A fascinating sound and musical experience.