Bach & Ponce

Guitarist Anne Haasch sets the mood for a dialogue across centuries in her new Genuin recording with works by Johann Sebastian Bach and Manuel María Ponce. She combines the rarely recorded 24 Preludes by the Mexican composer with the Lute Suite No. 2 by the Leipzig Thomaskantor, whom he revered. However, the juxtaposition of these works is a dialogue not only across time but across continents as well. Like Bach, Ponce has mastered the art of creating dense, eternal spheres of tension, but within ostensibly inconspicuous forms and simple, poetic lines. Anne Haasch captures this immensely expressive music's architecture, rhetoric, and content with her clear and vibrant playing.

Guitarist Anne Haasch sets the mood for a dialogue across centuries in her new Genuin recording with works by Johann Sebastian Bach and Manuel María Ponce. She combines the rarely recorded 24 Preludes by the Mexican composer with the Lute Suite No. 2 by the Leipzig Thomaskantor, whom he revered. However, the juxtaposition of these works is a dialogue not only across time but across continents as well. Like Bach, Ponce has mastered the art of creating dense, eternal spheres of tension, but within ostensibly inconspicuous forms and simple, poetic lines. Anne Haasch captures this immensely expressive music's architecture, rhetoric, and content with her clear and vibrant playing.

HR Recordings is proud to present Steve Cowan, one of the most relevant young guitar players of the moment. With an absolute control of the guitar technique and an exquisite musicality Cowan performances create an unforgettable impression. His creativity using the instrument colors and his understanding of the music makes his performances very special.

The term ‘toccata’ is derived from the Italian ‘toccare’, ‘to touch’ and is a work intended as a display of manual dexterity, usually for a solo keyboard instrument. Within the toccata form other styles may be incorporated such as an adagio movement and a fugue.

Globally renowned for their superlative musicianship, Slava and Leonard Grigoryan have decided to get personal for their latest album. Performing arrangements made by their father Edward, the brothers have chosen songs that are particularly close to their heart, and as well as a few new discoveries – including timeless songs by Tchaikovsky (Chanson Triste, None But the Lonely Heart), Rachmaninoff (Vocalise), Elgar (Chanson de Nuit, Chanson de Matin), Bach, Ponce, Fauré and others. The Grigoryan Brothers, individually and as a duo, are counted amongst the finest musicians of their generation. Between them, they have clocked up an incredible 21 ARIA Award nominations and their recording and performing careers – and popularity – continue to flourish.

Johan Smith, 2019 winner of the prestigious Guitar Foundation of America Competition, presents his dream programme in this recital. Bach’s Toccata for harpsichord ‘borders on the unplayable’ for the guitar, especially in its final double fugue, while Manuel Ponce’s Variations on La folía de España and Fugue is one of the most challenging peaks of the repertoire. Mertz’s celebrated virtuoso Concertino is followed by Britten’s Nocturnal after John Dowland, renowned for its blend of Elizabethan melancholy and contemporary strangeness. The recital concludes with a world premiere, the evocative Sables stellaires by Josquin Schwizgebel, dedicated to Johan Smith.

Francesco Molmenti è un chitarrista, didatta e storico della musica.

Here’s nineteen year old Olivia Chiang who is currently a student of Scott Tennant, playing all three movements from the “Tres Canciones Populares Mexicanas” arranged by Manuel Ponce. For each of the movements, Olivia is playing on a different guitar. You can hear her play “La Pajarera” on a stunning 2019 Luigi Locatto, “Por Ti Mi Corazón” on a brand new Contreras “10th Anniversary” and “La Valentina”, the third and final piece on a Vicente Carrillo “Primera Especial”.

Ana Vidović (born 8 November 1980, Karlovac, SR Croatia) is a Croatian classical guitarist. A child prodigy, she started playing guitar at the age of five, inspired by her brother Viktor. Her father was an electric guitar player. She began performing at the age of 8 and by the age of 11 she was performing internationally, and at 13 became the youngest student to attend the prestigious Academy of Music in Zagreb where she studied with Professor Istvan Romer. Vidović's reputation in Europe led to an invitation to study at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, U.S., with Ray Chester, from where she graduated in May 2005. She has lived in the United States since, where she also works as a private tutor.

A 2-CD collection of favorite recordings (“greatest hits”) by America’s preeminent guitar virtuoso in celebration of 25 years on the EMI Classics label.