Tchaikovsky was already put in front of a piano at the age of four. Two years later, there was astonishment at his rapid progress. Although he never envisaged a career as a pianist, Tchaikovsky would compose much more for this instrument than one might think: numerous short pieces, including the famous Seasons, up until the late 18 Pieces, op. 72 (1893), whose waltzes, mazurkas and polacca would be a farewell to the dance rhythms that he loved so much… But also two sonatas, not to mention his two concertos, the trio op. 50 or his pieces for violin and piano, such as the melancholy Souvenir d’un lieu cher,
op. 42 (Reminiscence of a cherished spot) – contemporaneous with the Children’s Album, op. 39.

In the second instalment of the Consone Quartet’s cycle, the foursome continues its exploration of Felix Mendelssohn’s string quartets, simultaneously delving into the work of his sister Fanny, with her only work in the genre. Despite its turbulent character, Felix’s String Quartet in E minor, Op. 44 No. 2, was written three months after the composer’s marriage, during a period of stability and creativity. In contrast, the String Quartet in F minor, Op. 80, was composed while he was recovering from shock, following Fanny’s premature death. It is a work of striking bitterness and agitation, an unambiguous reflection of his distraught mental state. Fanny’s String Quartet in E flat major is an attractive and well-crafted work, which, due to her family discouraging her pursuit of a career in composition, remained unpublished until 1988. It is given a vibrant performance here by the Consone Quartet, the first period instrument quartet to be selected as BBC New Generation Artists.

Following her acclaimed debut Diaries, pianist Tiffany Poon returns with Nature, an album that explores the evocative power of French music in capturing the beauty of the natural world from the delicate shimmer of water to the quiet mysteries of the forest and the animals found within. Nature, which Tiffany recorded at legendary Provence recording studio Miraval Studios (Pink Floyd, Sade, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds) with producer Damien Quintard, brings together works by French composers across centuries, united by an instinctual admiration for the world around them.

White Lies approached their seventh album, Night Light, with a fresh method: mastering the songs live before recording them. Inspired by the 1970s live-performance TV show The Midnight Special, the trio decided to rehearse and refine the tracks together in a room before entering the studio – a reversal of the process of finding the true spirit of songs only after touring them.

In the second instalment of the Consone Quartet’s cycle, the foursome continues its exploration of Felix Mendelssohn’s string quartets, simultaneously delving into the work of his sister Fanny, with her only work in the genre. Despite its turbulent character, Felix’s String Quartet in E minor, Op. 44 No. 2, was written three months after the composer’s marriage, during a period of stability and creativity. In contrast, the String Quartet in F minor, Op. 80, was composed while he was recovering from shock, following Fanny’s premature death. It is a work of striking bitterness and agitation, an unambiguous reflection of his distraught mental state. Fanny’s String Quartet in E flat major is an attractive and well-crafted work, which, due to her family discouraging her pursuit of a career in composition, remained unpublished until 1988. It is given a vibrant performance here by the Consone Quartet, the first period instrument quartet to be selected as BBC New Generation Artists.

Old Knew is Gregory Groover, Jr’s follow-up to his 2024 Criss Cross debut, Lovabye (Criss 1419), on which – in the exalted company of Joel Ross, Aaron Parks, Vicente Archer and Marcus Gilmore – he projected his soulful, reflective tenor saxophone voice throughout an 11-track recital of, as Groover puts it, original “love songs and songs of people I love.”

White Lies approached their seventh album, Night Light, with a fresh method: mastering the songs live before recording them. Inspired by the 1970s live-performance TV show The Midnight Special, the trio decided to rehearse and refine the tracks together in a room before entering the studio – a reversal of the process of finding the true spirit of songs only after touring them.

Following her acclaimed debut Diaries, pianist Tiffany Poon returns with Nature, an album that explores the evocative power of French music in capturing the beauty of the natural world from the delicate shimmer of water to the quiet mysteries of the forest and the animals found within. Nature, which Tiffany recorded at legendary Provence recording studio Miraval Studios (Pink Floyd, Sade, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds) with producer Damien Quintard, brings together works by French composers across centuries, united by an instinctual admiration for the world around them.

Zee Zee present her latest album - featuring two works of Franz Liszt: Piano Concerto No.1 and Rhapsody Espagnole. The dazzling combination of Zee Zee together with Philharmonia Orchestra & Paavo Järvi brings this powerful music to life.

This trio led by French cellist Vincent Courtois with its unusual instrumentation of cello, clarinet and tenor saxophone, has in its DNA all the elements of what touches us in West Coast Jazz. Chamber jazz where classical instruments such as the clarinet and the cello have a privileged place, which is not so common, but akin to Chico Hamilton's 1956 quintet with Fred Katz on cello and Buddy Colette on clarinet.

I’m so excited to share with you my latest EP, Luminous Threads, featuring my wonderful friend and collaborator, Oliver Wass - Harpist, which will be released on Blue Cloud Music and Orchid Classics on 7th November. Oliver and I have been creating music and performing together for many years, and with this EP, we’re excited to share the result of our unique blend of saxophone and harp — a sound shaped by countless hours of collaboration and shared passion. We hope that you enjoy our renditions of well-loved pieces, beginning with our first released single, Gabriel Fauré’s Pavane featuring cellist Leander Kippenberg in a unique arrangement for saxophone, harp and cello. Having spent several days recording this EP, both Oliver and I, and our amazing recording team, are looking forward to sharing this project with you.

Brandon Sanders returns to Savant Records, and his new recording is something to get excited about. After turning critics' heads with two previous recordings, Brandon is stepping it up with his new project that's all energy and heart. Part of the buzz comes from the stellar lineup. Joining the session is pianist Eric Scott Reed, certainly a name that carries serious weight in jazz today. Reed is one of those rare players who can make any ensemble shine, and his chemistry with Brandon is remarkable, to say the least.

This trio led by French cellist Vincent Courtois with its unusual instrumentation of cello, clarinet and tenor saxophone, has in its DNA all the elements of what touches us in West Coast Jazz. Chamber jazz where classical instruments such as the clarinet and the cello have a privileged place, which is not so common, but akin to Chico Hamilton's 1956 quintet with Fred Katz on cello and Buddy Colette on clarinet.

The musical culture that Joséphine de Beauharnais (1763-1814), Empress of the French and Napoleon Bonaparte’s wife, developed with her family and at court kept pace with fashion and even shaped the French musical taste of the period. Joséphine organised weekly concerts at the Château de Malmaison, her preferred residence, that featured many of the most famous musicians in Paris and Europe.

Zee Zee present her latest album - featuring two works of Franz Liszt: Piano Concerto No.1 and Rhapsody Espagnole. The dazzling combination of Zee Zee together with Philharmonia Orchestra & Paavo Järvi brings this powerful music to life.