Versalife Manifold (2020)

A car crash in March 1953 cruelly cut short the career of Roger Desormiere, who at the age of 53 had already established a reputation as one of the most insightful French conductors of his or any previous era. The resulting stroke left him barely able to communicate, incapable of work. His pupils, including Pierre Boulez, were distraught, but Desormiere clung on for thirteen painful years, eventually dying a broken man. Desormieres legacy on disc is a case of what might have been. Record companies showed little interest in recording the modern repertoire of which he was so stylish and dedicated an interpreter, at least the equal in this regard of Hans Rosbaud and Rene Leibowitz. His one indisputable classic of the gramophone is the 1941 HMV recording of Pelleas et Melisande, but he recorded much else for several different labels. The present set brings together all his Decca recordings for the first time, made in mono between 1947 and 1951, newly remastered and constituting a substantial tribute to a musician of manifold gifts.

Peaceful Choir by harpist Lavinia Meijer and chamber choir World Choir of Peace is a relaxing musical journey through the manifold colors and sounds of contemporary choral music. Renowned international composers have contributed entirely new works or arrangements for this unique recording project, including Sir Karl Jenkins, Grammy-nominated composer and pianist Hauschka, San Fermin mastermind Ellis Ludwig-Leone, composer icon John Rutter, Estonian pop-violinist Maarja Nuut and German soundtrack composer David Reichelt (8 Days). The album includes 15 world-premiere recordings and music by house-hold names such as Ola Gjeilo, Eric Whitacre, Max Richter, Hans Zimmer and Arvo Pärt.

Rubber Tea’s "Infusion" is a collection of musical stories and fictional journeys which let the listener escape into the vast world of their own imagination. The manifold album artwork created by David Erzmann perfectly represents the music: Rubber Tea makes use of a wide range of musical instruments - featuring electric and acoustic guitars, fretless bass, vintage synthesizers and organ, saxophone, flute and diverse percussion, amongst others. With the help of several guest musicians the band was able to further expand their sound. It ranges from timeless, dreamy soundscapes (Downstream) to rythmically complex extravaganzas capturing insanity and confusion of recent history (American Dream). Alongside epic organ and guitar solos the concise voice of singer Vanessa Gross tells the most colourful stories, in a way no image or film by themselves ever could…

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of esteemed pianist William Masselos (August 11, 1920 – October 23, 1992) , Sony Classical is pleased to release his complete recordings for RCA Victor and Columbia Masterworks from 1950 to 1971 in a single 7-CD edition.