Jordi Savall’s recording of Robert Schumann’s “Das Paradies und die Peri” is a triumph of musical storytelling and interpretive depth. This oratorio, inspired by Thomas Moore’s “Lalla Rookh,” follows the Peri—a fallen angel—on her quest for redemption as she offers the most precious gift from every realm of existence: a drop of a warrior’s blood, a lover’s sigh, and a tear from a repentant sinner. Schumann’s lush, Romantic score weaves these episodes into a tapestry of emotional intensity, combining sublime choruses with heartfelt solo passages. Once again, Savall combines scholarly rigor with emotional authenticity.

Bringing his acclaimed Mendelssohn cycle to a rousing conclusion, Sir John Eliot Gardiner presents the composer s symphony-cantata, Lobgesang. Mendelssohn wrote that the piece lies very near my heart , and with its stately grandeur and religiosity, plus its sheer magnitude double the length of any of his other symphonies it stands amongst his most impressive works. Posthumously categorised by editors as the composer s second symphony, it is also known as a song of praise and three talented soloists join the LSO and the world-class Monteverdi Choir for this recording. While Gardiner is well-versed in the German s output, this release documents his first performance of the work. In an interview for The Arts Desk, he said: It s a piece I ve been looking at for years, and I ve never conducted it.

Released in 1994, Nonstop! The Album is the landmark debut studio album by German Eurodance icons Fun Factory, capturing the energetic spirit of early nineties European dance floors. Released through 12INC, the album established the band's signature fusion of driving techno-house rhythms, infectious vocal hooks, and rhythmic rap verses. Featuring massive breakout hit singles like Groove Me, Take Your Chance, and Close To You, the record captures a vibrant mix of club anthems, soulful dance ballads, and upbeat rap jams. Tracks like Love Of My Life, Pain, and the memorable Fun Factory's Theme showcase the group's dynamic chemistry and polished production. This album remains an essential classic for fans of nineties Eurodance and energetic house music.

In 1994, explains the booklet that accompanies Morimur, Professor Helga Thoene made the surprising discovery that the monumental "Ciaccona" from Bach's Partita in D minor for solo violin was built around various chorale themes hidden in the music. From the texts of these "secret" chorales and other symbolic musical devices, she deduced that the "Ciaccona" was an epitaph for Bach's wife, Maria Barbara. The revelation might have remained an intriguing (and touching) footnote to Bach scholarship if baroque violinist Christoph Poppen hadn't had the bright idea of taking Professor Thoene's discovery off the library shelves and placing it triumphantly in the concert hall. On this disc, his performance of all five movements of the whole Partita (BWV 1004) is interspersed with the various chorales hidden inside the "Ciaccona," sung with breathtaking precision by the Hilliard Ensemble.