Lisbeth Von Benedek

Johann Joachim Quantz was one of the greatest composers of his time, with a large oeuvre to his name. And while his work for flute has been enjoyed by flautists and audiences alike, it doesn’t seem to meet any of the criteria codified at the beginning of the 20th century for what constitutes ‘great’, ‘lasting’, ‘profound’ or ‘complex’ music. Nor does it meet the requirement set in modern times for the worth of a composer’s work to be measured in terms of the influence it has on the next generation. This is because, after having achieved a technical knowledge on par with his contemporaries, Quantz opted for the restrictive life of a court composer in the service of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, who, though an educated man and amateur musician, had a conservative taste in music. Quantz’s music was therefore never ‘fashionable’, and his compositions failed to leave a mark on posterity.

Johann Joachim Quantz was one of the greatest composers of his time, with a large oeuvre to his name. And while his work for flute has been enjoyed by flautists and audiences alike, it doesn’t seem to meet any of the criteria codified at the beginning of the 20th century for what constitutes ‘great’, ‘lasting’, ‘profound’ or ‘complex’ music. Nor does it meet the requirement set in modern times for the worth of a composer’s work to be measured in terms of the influence it has on the next generation. This is because, after having achieved a technical knowledge on par with his contemporaries, Quantz opted for the restrictive life of a court composer in the service of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, who, though an educated man and amateur musician, had a conservative taste in music. Quantz’s music was therefore never ‘fashionable’, and his compositions failed to leave a mark on posterity.

Johann Joachim Quantz was one of the greatest composers of his time, with a large oeuvre to his name. And while his work for flute has been enjoyed by flautists and audiences alike, it doesn’t seem to meet any of the criteria codified at the beginning of the 20th century for what constitutes ‘great’, ‘lasting’, ‘profound’ or ‘complex’ music. Nor does it meet the requirement set in modern times for the worth of a composer’s work to be measured in terms of the influence it has on the next generation. This is because, after having achieved a technical knowledge on par with his contemporaries, Quantz opted for the restrictive life of a court composer in the service of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, who, though an educated man and amateur musician, had a conservative taste in music. Quantz’s music was therefore never ‘fashionable’, and his compositions failed to leave a mark on posterity.

Johann Joachim Quantz was one of the greatest composers of his time, with a large oeuvre to his name. And while his work for flute has been enjoyed by flautists and audiences alike, it doesn’t seem to meet any of the criteria codified at the beginning of the 20th century for what constitutes ‘great’, ‘lasting’, ‘profound’ or ‘complex’ music. Nor does it meet the requirement set in modern times for the worth of a composer’s work to be measured in terms of the influence it has on the next generation. This is because, after having achieved a technical knowledge on par with his contemporaries, Quantz opted for the restrictive life of a court composer in the service of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, who, though an educated man and amateur musician, had a conservative taste in music. Quantz’s music was therefore never ‘fashionable’, and his compositions failed to leave a mark on posterity.

With Release, the highly acclaimed Lisbeth Quartett presents a greatly anticipated album on Intakt Records. After twelve years and five albums, Charlotte Greve, who has just been awarded the German Jazz Prize for “Artist of the Year”, has relied on her intuitive sensibilities to create the new music for Release. The result is an album marked by sensitive interplay – a collection of stunningly subtle and melodically pronounced songs that are both gentle and powerfully fluid. Even if the musicians are across the world in Berlin or New York City, all traveling and working on their respective projects, they seem to meld and blend with ease because of their history together and their knowledge of each other’s instrumental styles. “They have all cultivated the ability to play their instruments gently and cleanly aligning with the style of even sounds and tone they have refined throughout their journeys together. Twelve years is a long time and the span of thousands of moments that they have shared having brought them to where they are today, working as a unit, creating new music in this post-modern era and continuing their legacy as a leading band in the international jazz landscape”, writes Jordannah Elizabeth in the liner notes.

The Sound of Herbert von Karajan TITLE: The Sound of Herbert von Karajan (3CD) Portrait of an iconic conductor: He was the world's most popular podium idol - Herbert von Karajan, the "mythical Maestro'. And nearly three decades after his death he tops the pantheon of the classical music world with his legendary recordings. This 3-CD edition brings together great moments in his discography with which Karajan wrote recording history. - Herbert von Karajan is the epitome of the conductor. Who could fail to recognize his profile with it's streamlined shock of hair? Even now, almost three decades since he died at the age of 81 in 1989, the charismatic figure remains an icon.

Herbert von Karajan was the most renowned conductor to emerge from Europe in the post-World War II era – and through fortuitous timing throughout his career, and in spite of controversy that dogged his early years, he was the most recorded conductor of the 20th century, and is likely to remain one of the most visible (and biggest-selling) conductors well into the 21st century. Born in Salzburg and descended from a family of Greek origin with deep roots in Austria – including scholars and physicians in Vienna and Salzburg – he was a music prodigy, playing the piano at three and playing his first recital a year later.

Herbert von Karajan was the most renowned conductor to emerge from Europe in the post-World War II era – and through fortuitous timing throughout his career, and in spite of controversy that dogged his early years, he was the most recorded conductor of the 20th century, and is likely to remain one of the most visible (and biggest-selling) conductors well into the 21st century.

Herbert von Karajan was the most renowned conductor to emerge from Europe in the post-World War II era – and through fortuitous timing throughout his career, and in spite of controversy that dogged his early years, he was the most recorded conductor of the 20th century, and is likely to remain one of the most visible (and biggest-selling) conductors well into the 21st century. Born in Salzburg and descended from a family of Greek origin with deep roots in Austria – including scholars and physicians in Vienna and Salzburg – he was a music prodigy, playing the piano at three and playing his first recital a year later.