Janne da Arc Wing

Robert Muller-Hartmann was born in Hamburg, in 1884, the son of the piano teacher and clarinettist Josef Muller and his wife, Jenny. He studied in Berlin for four years, but then returned to Hamburg where he pursued a successful career combining teaching, composing, and writing. His works were widely performed by conductors such as Karl Muck, Carl Schuricht, Richard Strauss, Otto Klemperer, and Fritz Busch, and regularly played on German Radio. With the advent of National Socialism, in 1933, Muller-Hartmann was forced to resign from his teaching posts at the University and Conservatory.

"A new album of Rameau from Finnish accordionist Janne Valkeajoki presents a harmonious fusion of baroque brilliance and modern innovation. Renowned for his unparalleled contributions to Baroque opera, Jean-Philippe Rameau stands as one of the era's most important composers, and the brilliance of his compositions is now reimagined through a more modern lens. Through a unique and innovative approach, Rameau's meticulously crafted movements find new life with the accordion—an instrument that adds a fresh, vibrant layer to the music, bringing Rameau's innovative spirit into the contemporary realm and highlighting the accordion's versatility as both a singing and an orchestral instrument. This new album comprises two suites, each movement creating a unique atmosphere of its own. In an era where full suites are less commonly heard than individual movements, the album offers a rare opportunity to experience Rameau's work in its entirety, as he originally intended."

The second solo album by finnish pianist Janne Oksanen includes the Complete Piano Works by Armas Järnefelt (1869-1958). A whopping 15 tracks out of the albums 22 tracks are World Premiere Recordings.

On this second record we will hear Palmgren’s magnificent Piano Concertos no. 4-5. The brilliant pianist on the record is Janne Mertanen who has made many recordings for Alba Records. Two other pieces conductor Jan Söderblom has chosen for this record are Pastorale in three scenes and Exotic March. The first recording of Palmgren’s music – The River (ABCD385) received brilliant reviews. The River included Piano Concerto no.1-3 performed by Henri Sigfridsson. The recording was one of the best sellers for Alba Records in 2016.

Pianist Janne Mertanen has been around since the turn of the century, recording thoughtful interpretations of Chopin and Scandinavian music on smaller labels, but when this Chopin collection appeared on Sony Classical in 2023, he had only recently been signed to the label. So perhaps he still qualifies as an up-and-comer. Mertanen put out an acclaimed pairing of the Chopin concertos several years ago, and on this release, he also sticks to larger forms with the Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58, a pair Impromptus, the Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52, and the Barcarolle in F sharp minor, Op. 60. These are all later Chopin works, displaying the characteristic complexity of his music toward the end of his life.