Christophorus Colombus

Herzklopfen (German for "Heartbeat") is an early compilation of a number of excellent Chris Rea tracks. German only release by Polygram Records, Germany. Includes "Josephine," "On The Beach," and more.

The reign of Elizabeth Tudor brought with it a period of splendor for England, within which the lute experienced its moment of glory. In paintings from this time convivial scenes featuring performers of harp and lute are often depicted. Well known melodies of the epoch, as well as harmonic sequences such as Bergamasca, Ruggiero, Callinoe, Conde Claros and various Dumps were used by performers when they gathered to improvise together. Sometimes the music was dedicated to a wellknown personality of the court such as was surely the case with The Queenes good Night, inspiring sweet dreams for Elizabeth. For this recording Marie Nishiyama and Rafael Bonavita have mixed the colours of harp and lute, the characteristics of each instrument to create a dialogue of sound between the two. A dialogue that goes - as does this repertoire - beyond epochs and styles, beyond its own time.

The ensemble Les Escapades presents seven magnificent sacred concertos in first recordings.
Georg Christoph Strattner (c. 1644-1704) received his first training from his cousin Samuel Capricornus, who took him from Pressburg (Bratislava) to Stuttgart, where he was employed as a chapel boy. Strattner took up his first major post at the age of 21 as Kapellmeister at the court of the Margrave of Baden-Durlach, who was having a new residence built. In 1682 he was appointed to the highly remunerated post of music director in the city of Frankfurt am Main, where he was responsible for church music at the main Protestant church.