Fragments From France

Around 40,000 years ago, towards the end of the last Ice Age, the upper Danube region was settled by anatomically modern humans. Traces of their daily life have been found at several cave sites in the south of modern Germany, including fragments of perforated bird bones and mammoth ivory. Representing the oldest evidence of musical creation worldwide, these prehistoric flutes – two from caves at Geissenklösterle, one from Hohle Fels, and a slightly later, more fully preserved find from Isturitz cave in the French Pyrenees – have been reconstructed in the modern era.

The baritone Matthias Goerne, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and Mikko Franck launch a trilogy of Shostakovich’s works for baritone and orchestra with a recording of Symphony No.14. This will be followed by Symphony no.13 (Babi Yar) and the Suite on poems by Michelangelo Buonarroti. The soprano Asmik Grigorian joins Matthias Goerne for this monumental yet highly subtle symphony setting poems by García Lorca, Apollinaire, Küchelbecker and Rilke.

"Brilliant possession of the instrument, virtuosi technique, a versatile and expressive touch, an animated and emotional style of performance - these are the artistic traits possessed by Semyon Snitkovsky, that allow the brilliant musician to make deep, sincere connection with the audience." These words, spoken by David Oistrakh, come to mind every time one listens to any recording Snitkovsky made throughout his career. The violinist only lived to be 48 years old (1933-1981), but he left behind a large number of records. These records allow his listeners to enjoy the unique artistry that once thrilled audiences and critics in the former USSR and abroad. The CDs that are being released now, present Snitkovsky as a versatile interpreter of the solo, chamber, and solo with orchestra violin repertoire.

A well-educated child of privilege, Glinka became a fervent Russian nationalist. He is considered the father of Russian music, and exerted a significant influence on such great later composers as Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Stravinsky. One of Russia's ranking conductors of the new millennium, Vladimir Fedoseyev has worked extensively in Central Europe during the second phase of his career. As chief conductor of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra since 1997, he has brought a new intensity to the city's often underrated second orchestra. During his years as chief conductor of the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, Fedoseyev gained a reputation for achieving a balance between passion and musical integrity.