Stephen Heller

TACET’s much praised recording technique enables these recordings of 1906 to be heard for the first time linked to a modern Steinway.

Sono Luminus is proud to announce the latest project from Michael Lewin, 'Piano Phantoms', following the popular and critical success of 'If I Were a Bird' (DSL92103). This creative new recording is a collection of 18 piano pieces by a mixture of famous and lesser-known composers, each inspired by phantoms, goblins, ghosts and the spirit world. This program includes eight world premiere recordings.

Mr Lewin commented, “It was a great pleasure to make a second theme recording for Sono Luminus. The entire process is so exciting— musical discoveries, the unearthing of new repertoire, creating a wonderful and interesting program, learning and performing the music, then finally, recording in the beautiful Sono Luminus studios in Virginia. The response to our first disc together, If I Were a Bird, has been warm and gratifying, and I hope that our listeners will also enjoy this slightly more shadowy cast of characters!”

Michael Lewin enjoys a distinguished international reputation as one of America’s most abundantly gifted and charismatic concert pianists, performing to acclamation in 30 countries. Commanding a repertoire of 40 piano concertos, Michael Lewin has appeared as soloist many major orchestras. He has premiered two Concertos by David Kocsis and performed Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue over 50 times.

Lewin’s career was launched with top prizes in the Franz Liszt International Piano Competition in the Netherlands, the American Pianists Association Award and the William Kapell International Competition. Following his notable New York recital debut in Lincoln Center, The New York Times wrote that “his immense technique and ability qualify him eminently for success.” Since then he has played widely in solo recitals, with orchestras, and as a chamber musician.

'Piano Phantoms' is a tour-de-force of virtuoso pianism and imaginative musicianship. Michael Lewin’s artistic tone-painting, control of tone colours and ability to tell stories through sound gives unique life to each ghost and goblin.

The highly acclaimed piano festival, founded in 1987, is a major event. Danacord proudly release the recording from the 24th festival, featuring rare piano music played by some of the leading pianists of today.

This new release is a collection of songs, piano pieces, organ pieces and choral works, all taken from volumes 1-16 of Robert Schumann’s Neue Zeitschrift für Musik. In 1834 Schumann founded the Neue Zeitschrift für Musik (NZfM) and four times a year published a ‘Collection of Compositions from Old and New Times’. It resulted in sixteen volumes of music with a total of sixty-nine compositions by thirty-nine male and female composers, and today offers us a unique glimpse at Schumann’s circle of musical friends.

A fascinating release featuring arrangements of Beethoven’s music. Includes world premiere recordings stunningly performed by pianist Petronel Malan.