Abel Ebedi

Another huge Sorabji premiere on disc, and a must-hear recording for virtuoso pianophiles.

The first recording of another monumental work for piano by the composer of Opus clavicembalisticum and Sequentia cyclica.

Paris, London, Naples, Venice… and Lisbon! The cartography of the (late) baroque music of Europe gives an ever better overview also of the musical happenings in the Portuguese capital in the 18th century. The revival of the Portuguese musical heritage is one of the main activities of the Divino Sospiro orchestra under its director Masssimo Mazzeo. A particularly worthwhile discovery is the composer Pedro Antonio Avondano (1714-1782), descended from a dynasty of musicians of Italian origin who were active in Lisbon in the 18th century.

Even though Abel left behind a sizable oeuvre, including many symphonic works, he is maybe best remembered for his extraordinary compositions for the “queen of all instruments”, as he called it: the viola da gamba.

A highlight of his work includes his 2004 original score for Fritz Lang's silent classic Metropolis – that one with a 150-piece combined orchestra and choir – the TV series Penny Dreadful (2014-2016), and the psychological thriller Nocturnal Animals (2016).

This is Lucile Boulanger’s first solo recital. The French gambist, universally praised for her natural and moving playing – BBC Music Magazine even described her as ‘the Jacqueline du Pré of the viola da gamba’ – juxtaposes Bach with Carl Friedrich Abel, a great master of the bass viol and a close friend of the Bach family.

Possessing one of the most impressive British male singing voices of his generation, Zak’s music emanates an instinctively soulful, funky feel, with an ability to fast-track an insatiable chorus.

Acclaimed American composer Mark Abel’s sixth album for Delos extends his growing command of chamber writing while also delivering three major new vocal works. Celebrated sopranos Isabel Bayrakdarian (four times a Juno Award winner) and Hila Plitmann (a pair of Grammys and a longtime Abel collaborator) are joined by mezzo Kindra Scharich in presenting the song cycles Trois Femmes du Cinema and 1966, and debuting Two Scenes from “The Book of Esther,” a provocative excerpt from an opera in development.

A healthy relationship developed with a parent is essential to the well-being of a child. The effects of a warm word or a bit of advice can last a lifetime when it comes from someone you love. Saxophonist/composer Abel Mireles dedicates his new recording, Animo, to his father, an important influence and benefactor whose words the younger Mireles uses to inspire his music.

It is not often that one is lucky enough to directly observe the creation of unique beauty, perfect craftsmanship, absolute passion and profound dedication. I recently had the wonderful opportunity to experience these with the creation of “Lexposure”, in Cologne at the end of August 2020.