Jonas Straker

Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre is one of the most remarkable female musical figures in history. Rarely has a woman composer garnered such esteem in her own time, and her success, rather than provoking resentment in the hearts of her contemporaries, inspired the utmost admiration. One has to give credit to the Grand Siècle, a unique period in this regard, for granting Élisabeth the respect she truly deserved. This recording features works seldom heard but nonetheless of exceptional quality, exemplifying two genres in which Jacquet de La Guerre excelled: the French cantata and the suite for harpsichord. In these, we can discover the intrinsic and timeless value of her artistry, regardless of the anecdotal aspects of the historical and social conditions in which they were created.

Jonas Kaufmann is the biggest opera star in the world & he returns with a brand new album of (x18) favourite Italian songs - his own personal homage to a culture where the influence and beauty of opera are felt far beyond the walls of the opera houses. Features immortal Italian songs such as "Con Te Partiro", "Parla Piu Piana" from THe Godfather, "Catari Catari", Caruso & many more… Jonas recorded the album in Palermo with conductor Asher Fisch and the Orchestra del Teatro Massimo di Palermo, who bring their innate Italian flair to this music.

Although Mozart is known primarily as a pianist, he was a violinist at the court of Salzburg until he walked out in 1781 to carry out an independent career in Vienna. These sonatas belong to two sets of six, one published in Paris in 1778, when Mozart first sought to leave Salzburg, the other in Vienna in 1781, right after he resigned. These pieces were meant to serve as a calling card, but Mozart went well beyond this sole intention.