Leif Ove Andsnes

Schubert - The Wanderer

Lieder and Fragments

Two musical titans in the classical world, British tenor Ian Bostridge and Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, both major EMI Classics artists, are brought together once again in a 2CD compilation celebrating their great contribution and commitment to Schubert for the label. As well as featuring specially selected lieder and piano fragments from their critically acclaimed Bostridge / Andsnes Schubert Sonata and Lieder series, the album also includes five newly recorded lieder never previously released by Bostridge. Their partnership was described by The Times as "one of the most inspired of record-company matchmakings: the two musicians really do test and try each other at every turn, as well as being mutually supportive…” Firmly established in the opera house, concert hall and recital room, and much sought after internationally as one of the finest of his generation of tenors, Ian Bostridge is today one of the leading Schubert lieder interpreters, repertoire that he openly states as his first love. Ian’s passion for lieder dates back to early studies at his school in England. Ian explains: ‘I had a wonderful German teacher at my school who got me into German lieder and that has been the thing that has really made me a musician – the lieder.’

Nielsen - The Collector’s Edition

Whilst his works may not show the influence of his country’s literature and landscape as overtly as does Sibelius (with many of his works bearing distinct echoes of the Kalevala and, at times, it is almost easy to see the forests and lakes that he knew and loved), Nielsen is a composer who absorbed the distinctive atmosphere of his homeland. His scores are clear and forcefully argued, he used progressive tonality rather than resorting to the atonal techniques being practiced elsewhere in Europe. His modern reputation is based primarily on his six symphonies but, as can be heard in the other works in this collection, he was adept in many musical forms. A number of modern composers now acknowledge their debt to the group of composers in various countries who developed tonality rather than turning their backs on it – Bartók in Hungary, Janácek in the Czech lands and of course Sibelius and Nielsen and it is interesting to note that more and more commentators have indicated the growing interest in and importance of this music. The majority of the recordings were made in Copenhagen with the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Herbert Blomstedt (Symphonies, Concertos and Tone Poems) and Mogens Wöldike (Choral works) in the first half of 1970s. Other works have been added to these thereby giving the listener a wide and fairly comprehensive survey of this influential composer. Like some other great composers – Bach, Mozart and Schubert for example – whose works have been catalogued by experts, Dan Fog and Torben Schousboe have completed this task for Nielsen and this set includes this FS numbering as the prime identification. Dates of composition are also included and Opus Numbers where and when they were allocated.

Szymanowski - Concertos, Orchestral & Choral Works

The music of the great Polish composer Karol Szymanowski (1882-1937) has, until recently, been relatively neglected. Sir Simon Rattle's recordings, gathered together here for the first time, brought it before a new and receptive audience. This 4-CD set contains all the Szymanowski recordings that Sir Simon has made for EMI Classics. The collection contains some of the composer's best-known works: the two Violin Concertos, The Song of the Night, the beautiful Stabat Mater and the exquisite Love Songs of Hafiz. The set also contains Rattle's complete recording of the opera King Roger.

Schubert - Late Piano Sonatas

Following four ground-breaking, critically-acclaimed recordings of the Schubert piano sonatas and lieder with Ian Bostridge, EMI Classics are now pleased to release the piano sonatas in one 2CD set. The Schubert Lieder featuring Bostridge will be released later in the year.

Bartók - Violin Sonatas

Rachmaninov - Piano Concerto Nos. 1 & 2

Leif Ove Andsnes - Ballad for Edvard Grieg

PLEASE NOTE: These are great recordings but they are not new. This disc, issued in september 2007 is simply a re-issue of parts of 5575622 and 5572962. In our opinion the cover is mis-leading in this respect.

Lyric Pieces, recorded on Grieg’s own piano at his house in Troldhaugen, just outside Bergen

Leos Janácek & Carl Nielsen - Piano Music