Rafael Kibelik

PENTATONE's third release from Rafael Kubelik's acclaimed Beethoven cycle of symphonies in its Remastered Classics series is his commanding reading of the sixth, seventh and eighth symphonies performed by the Orchestre de Paris, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Cleveland Orchestra.

Winner of the Leeds Piano Competition at the age of just twenty, Rafael Orozco exemplified a new generation of virtuoso pianists who favoured musical expression over spectacular display. His Chopin interpretations were truly revelatory, finding poetry not only in the Préludes but also in the Études. Remastered from the original tapes in 24-bit/192kHz, this double album captures the rare occurrence of a Spanish pianist tackling two all-encompassing collections in which the essence of Romanticism is distilled - a precious souvenir of the impeccable artistry of a star of late twentieth-century pianism.

Since 1977, when he won the Ramón Montoya Prize for Concert Guitar in Cordoba, at the age of only fifteen, he has had a serious, consequent performing activity. An exquisite musician, composing and concert performance are important facets of his work, at live performances and in his record catalogue, although he has not ceased to accompany cante, as he is convinced that "it is very important for the solo guitarist to know the cante, because that is what provides firmness when playing alone". Riqueni has performed extensively as a concert guitarist and has played with people such as Enrique Morente, Anouar Brahem, Al Di Meola, Matías Fray and the Vargas Blues Band. He is also a noted flamenco composer, similar to the style of Albéniz and Turina. His 1987 album simply entitled "Flamenco", was recorded live without any special effects or recording studio tricks.

The Sevillian maestro Rafael Riqueni publishes Herencia, an album with ten soloist touches where the interpreter is accompanied, only on festive songs, by the clapping of José Amador, Luis Amador and Diego Amador. The taranta is overwhelmingly slow and moves between the harmonic virility of a Montoyist stamp and the usual melodic lyricism of this player. The piece whispers and caresses without fanfare, the characteristic of a teacher who no longer has anything to prove and who barely tries to open his heart. Combine dissonance with honey quite naturally. He stops at every note, at every bend in the road, knowing that the important thing is not the goal but the route, something that we sometimes forget. The granaína begins with a long and sentimental tremolo. It is another marvel of intimacy. The granaína is a complex piece that reaches enormous levels of abstraction in some passages.

Maestros is presented as a tribute to great historical flamenco guitar players such as Niño Ricardo, Esteban de Sanlúcar and Sabicas, where Rafael Riqueni performed different pieces by these teachers, achieving exceptional recreations and great recognition among fans.