Mariani Klavier quartett returns with Vol 3 of their critically acclaimed Brahms & Gernsheim series for Audax Records, pairing Johannes Brahms' dramatic Piano Quartet in C Minor, Op 60, a masterpiece of rich textures and emotional depth, with the lush Piano Quartet in E-flat Major, Op. 41, by Friedrich Gernsheim-an exquisite, yet underappreciated gem of the Romantic repertoire.

Goffredo Petrassi’s reputation was established in 1932 when his Partita (available on Naxos 8.572411) won critical acclaim. Petrassi then composed his Concerto for Orchestra, the first of eight, which, upon its 1935 premiere, secured his reputation outside of Italy.

A portrait of the Soviet-era Armenian composer Arno Babajanian through a trio of his most significant chamber works.
The Russian piano-trio repertoire is dominated by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff and Shostakovich.

From his time as a student at the Leningrad (today’s St Petersburg) Conservatory, Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) developed a strong connection with cinema, earning a living in the 1920s as a pianist for silent films.

The grandeur of Mozart’s Missa solemnis in C minor ‘Waisenhausmesse’ caused Viennese scholars to doubt how it could have been composed by a twelve-year old boy.

Violinist Arabella Steinbacher, the Luxembourg Philharmonic (previously called Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg) and conductor Gustavo Gimeno present violin concertos by Beethoven and Lentz.

Fazil Says's talent as a pianist goes hand in hand with the range of his compositions.

Record Store Day 2025. Pharoah Sanders' Izipho Zam (My Gifts) is a groundbreaking jazz masterpiece. Recorded in 1969, two years after John Coltrane's passing, and released in 1973 on Strata-East, the album features a 13-member ensemble, including Sonny Sharrock, Lonnie Liston Smith, Cecil McBee, and Leon Thomas. Blending Eastern influences with expansive jazz, Sanders’ genius is highlighted with "Prince of Peace," showcasing Thomas' unique vocals, and the 28-minute title track, offering an exploration of dissonance and harmony with West African percussion and meditative chants. For the first time ever, this seminal work from a legendary saxophonist will be available on CD and digital platforms, as well as on 180-gram vinyl. Pressed at Record Technology Inc. (RTI) and mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio with audio transferred directly from the original analog tapes, the vinyl edition comes in high-quality, glossy tip-on gatefold jackets. It also includes new liner notes by Harmony Holiday and never-before-seen photos, making this release a must-have for jazz enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Record Store Day 2025. Pharoah Sanders' Izipho Zam (My Gifts) is a groundbreaking jazz masterpiece. Recorded in 1969, two years after John Coltrane's passing, and released in 1973 on Strata-East, the album features a 13-member ensemble, including Sonny Sharrock, Lonnie Liston Smith, Cecil McBee, and Leon Thomas. Blending Eastern influences with expansive jazz, Sanders’ genius is highlighted with "Prince of Peace," showcasing Thomas' unique vocals, and the 28-minute title track, offering an exploration of dissonance and harmony with West African percussion and meditative chants. For the first time ever, this seminal work from a legendary saxophonist will be available on CD and digital platforms, as well as on 180-gram vinyl. Pressed at Record Technology Inc. (RTI) and mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio with audio transferred directly from the original analog tapes, the vinyl edition comes in high-quality, glossy tip-on gatefold jackets. It also includes new liner notes by Harmony Holiday and never-before-seen photos, making this release a must-have for jazz enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Keeping It Real for More Than 50 Years: Bill Withers' Still Bill Is an Understated Soul Masterwork Distinguished by Unstinting Consistency, Universal Emotions, and Smooth Singing. Mastered on Mobile Fidelity's Renowned Mastering System: Numbered-Edition Hybrid SACD Plays with Lifelike Richness, Detail, Texture, and Transparency. Named One of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time by Rolling Stone: 1972 Benchmark Includes the Hits 'Lean on Me' and 'Use Me'. As it turns the corner on it's 50th anniversary, Bill Withers' Still Bill remains true to it's title - and stands as the greatest malefronted soul album not made by a singer named Marvin, Al, Sam, James, or Ray. Though the saying 'keeping it real' did not exist in popular parlance when Withers released his sophomore effort, no words better capture the music's approach, mindset, and value.

This new collection of my choral music features recent commissions from choirs near and far.

1987 symbolizes and reflects the impulsiveness and playfulness of the subconscious and dreams and is strongly influenced by David Lynch.

The atmospheric opening of Sibelius' violin concerto transports the listener directly to the wide open, forested landscape of Finland.

Greek mythology has profoundly shaped society, influencing cultural norms, traditions, and even giving rise to celebrated works like those of Claude Debussy, which redefined Western art music and revolutionized the flute’s role within it.

It is not very often that I listen to a CD from beginning to end when I am planning to review it.