Sacd Ensemble Blumina

Pamela Thorby has an international reputation as one of the most versatile and stylish recorder players of her generation. Her virtuoso playing can be heard on numerous recordings, ranging from the medieval period to the present day. Richard Egarr began their musical partnership as students together at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, leading to acclaimed duo recitals at the Purcell Room and the Wigmore Hall in London. They have appeared in concert and on disc together on many occasions as their respective careers progressed, but this is the first time that they have recorded together as a duo. This is their second solo album and a second Gramophone 'Choice' accolade which was widely acclaimed as a benchmark recording.

Of the two Vivaldi Gloria stored in the first volume of the Sacred Works of the collection of the Jordan National Library of Turin , in D major, this is undoubtedly the most significant and must be registered with the Creed, the Magnificat and the Stabat Mater in the group of the best compositions.

Palladians (formerly the Palladian Ensemble) is a quartet of the highest calibre, firmly established on the international music scene since 1991. They present baroque chamber music infused with style, uninhibited virtuosity and intelligent musicianship. The Palladian Ensemble's award-winning series of recordings for Linn Records have received unanimous praise. “An Excess of Pleasure”, “A Choice Collection” and “Held by the Ears” won the prestigious Diapason d'Or, with others winning Gramophone Magazine 'Editor's Choice' plaudits. For this album the Palladian Ensemble performed a powerful performance of French baroque - they are play the music of Marin Marais (1656-1728) and Jean-Féry Rebel (1666-1747). A suite from "Les Elemens", an opera by Rebel, forms the centrepiece of the disc.

The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet is a successful multi-guitar ensemble regularly performing, known for its variety of repertory. They are known for using nylon string guitars to imitate a variety of instruments and effects. They have played in many styles; Baroque, Bluegrass, Flamenco, Rock, and New Age are among their repertoire.

In this highly unusual recording, featuring the double bass as solo instrument, we hear music by the Italian composer Giovanni Bottesini and two Swedish composers - Erland von Koch and Lars-Erik Larsson. Soloist Thorvald Fredin is Professor of Double Bass at the Stockholm College of Music. A breezy presentation of double bass virtuoso Bottesini's second concerto for the instrument, originally written for performance by the composer himself coupled with his Elegia, testifies the present performers' technical mastery and musical understanding of this typically 19th century composition in which no opportunity is lost, in cantelineor runs, demonstrating the soloist's proficiency.

Madam Hui Fen Min is regarded as the most esteemed master of Erhu artistry in China. Over the years, Hui Fen Min has made many recordings for quite a few labels in China. In 2001, FIM had the privilege of producing her masterful album - River Of Sorrow. It has enjoyed numerous accolades and awards worldwide and is also one of the most successful and reputed titles hitherto in the FIM catalog. The pieces selected emerged as beautifully poetic and very much a reflection of Madam Min's supreme artistry, especially the theme piece, "The Gossamer Song". This piece is a palatial dance portraying the old myth of the love between a hero and the Moon’s Fairy. The celestial melody brings about a truly heavenly sensation to the listener.

Hohner Ensemble's 4th release, Far More Drums, brings an exotic collection of drums, gongs, and numerous handmade percussion instruments for a full, rhythmic and dynamic set. This percussion ensemble is of exsisting and former students of Dr. Robert Hohner, who has been Director of Music at Central Michigan University for 15 years.