Edgard Winger

Edgar Varèse is regarded as one of the pioneers of New Music, and with good reason. His piece “Ionisation” was the first-ever composition written exclusively for percussion ensemble to be performed in a traditional concert hall setting; and he explored and searched intensely for sonic experiences. Varèse integrated first the world of sounds, then electronic instruments into traditional orchestras, thereby opening a door to a new awareness of listening. His work substantially influenced those generations of composers that came after him: a link between the beautiful, the exciting and the musically unfamiliar. The 2009 Salzburg Festival dedicated its “Kontinente” series to this brilliant New Music pioneer – and we are delighted to present these excellent recordings to you! (Col Legno)

Gretry's "Richard Coeur De Lion" (1784), a rousing tale about the rescue of the crusader king Richard the Lionheart by his faithful troubadour Blondel, is a minor masterpiece, the greatest French opera comique of the Ancien Regime. Gretry wasn't an eighteenth century composer of the calibre of Mozart, Rameau or his contemporary Gluck, but his music seduced audiences with its charm and tunefulness and in this opera he provided a great deal more. Blondel's stirring aria of loyalty to his king, "O Richard, oh mon roi", was so powerful it was used as an anthem by the royalists in the 1790s and promptly banned by the revolutionary authorities.

Songs from the Ocean Floor is the third solo studio album by American rock artist Kip Winger. The album was released in 2000. According to Kip, the lead track "Cross" is an extremely personal song and he opens every solo show with it…

"Pull" was the third album by American rock band Winger. The album is often regarded as the favourite among the group's fans, but in terms of sales figures the album was not as successful as the two first albums, peaking at #83 on Billboard's Album chart. This is a great rock album! The recording is very good quality - very crisp, clean, and strong.