Rudolf Stejner

George Enescus greatest sin was his ability to master many things and excel at all of them, whether as composer, violinist, pianist, conductor, teacher, or even organist and cellist! This ability coupled with his legendary musical memory were astonishing. His musical compositions, however, were overshadowed by his career as a virtuoso something he struggled with throughout his life. Rudolf Leopold and Raluca Stirbat present Enescus complete known works for cello and piano, which reflect the turbulent musical and general circumstances of the composers astonishing life and his time.

Celebrated pianist and renowned Beethoven specialist Rudolf Buchbinder releases his second album with Deutsche Grammophon following his exclusive contract with the label in 2019. The album captures a breath taking live performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 1. from 2016 between Buchbinder, his long time friend Christian Thielemann , and the Berlin Philharmonics. This does not only represent the first DG release with Christian Thielemann and the Berlin Philharmonics but also celebrates Beethoven’s 250th anniversary this year. The album is completed with Beethoven’s six variations for piano op. 34 recorded in August 2019, which is also when Buchbinder recorded his successful Diabelli Variations.

The Incomparable Rudolf Serkin is a two-disc set in a digi-pak format released in 2003 to coincide with the celebration of the great Austrian pianist's 100th birthday. The second disc in the set consists of two previously released performances, the first being Brahms' E minor Cello Sonata recorded at Kennedy Center with Mstislav Rostropovich as soloist, and the other is Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 16 in D, K. 451, with Claudio Abbado and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, made at the Grosser Saal Konzerthaus in Vienna. The first disc was wholly new at the time of release, featuring Serkin in the last three piano sonatas of Beethoven, also recorded in Vienna, this time at a live concert.

Firma Melodiya presents a unique boxed set with recordings of Beethoven’s symphonies 1 to 8 conducted by Rudolf Barshai. One of the most prominent representatives of domestic music performing art of the 20th century, Rudolf Barshai was a man of amazingly versatile talents. His character combined obsession of a seeker and explorer of new sides to performance with an aspiration for his own creative way avoiding a bitten path.