New Releases

Hofmann’s chamber music is of special interest. The instrumentation itself is often original; we look in vain for string quartets in his oeuvre. At first glance the Octet for Flute, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon, Two Violins, Viola, and Violoncello reminds us of the classical serenade, but at the same time it has a deeply felt romantic tone and is very original in its formal design. The Serenade for Flute and String Quintet marked by the fascinating contrast between virtuoso flute parts and intimate string parts is enchanting.

Pianist Marie Vermeulin has won various prizes in her career, including the Concours International Olivier Messiaen competition in Paris in 2007.

Continuing their extensive and unique survey ‘in Flanders Field’, Phaedra is delighted to bring you ‘A Portrait of the Composer Alain Craens (1957).’ Featuring the works: Interlude to the Sea/ Mystery / Experience / Oase / and Three Summer Pieces.

It is interesting to note that this live recording never made its way into the hands of recording industry pirates nor is it to be found online. Thus, this release marks the very first time that this production has ever been made available to the public. Although the sound quality may not be up to today´s standards, it is a true rarity not least because of the brilliant cast.

Because this recording (several bars were also missing between the Schusterstube and the Festwiese in Act Three) was still protected by copyright at the time, it is being released only now, to mark the 200th anniversary of Wagner's birth.

Seventeen brass players and three percussionists from Austria came together in Vienna to create an ensemble: the Vienna Brass Connection.

“Take One“, the ensemble´s first CD recording, features mostly film music.

“Even the first time I listened to Trombone Attraction, I could sense their complete trust in each other and the fun they have when playing together, though, of course, they take their music seriously. “ Dietmar Küblböck, Vienna Philharmonic. This CD is a trombone ensemble performing arrangements from Praetorius to Gershwin. Great fun.

David Zinman celebrated his 75th birthday on July 9, 2011. He will leave the Tonhalle Orchestra in 2014 after nearly 20 years. He has been Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich since 1995.

Under his aegis as Artistic Director, the Orchestra has developed into an outstanding ensemble, celebrated highly successful tours in Europe, the United States and Asia, and recorded numerous CDs.

New York born David Zinman is one of the internationally most recognized conductors of his generation. He frequently conducts the renowned American orchestras in Boston, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco and New York; in Europe, he regularly guest conducts the Berlin Philharmonic, the Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam, the London Philharmonia Orchestra, the Munich Philharmonic and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra.

The Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich has recorded for SONY/RCA/ARTE NOVA: Beethoven (complete symphonies, complete concertos), Schumann (complete symphonies), Richard Strauss (complete orchestra works) and Gustav Mahler (complete symphonies on SACD). A project with the complete symphonies by Franz Schubert started in 2011.

The recording of all the Beethoven symphonies was awarded (among others) the German Record Critics’ Prize in 1999 and GRAMMOPHONE “Editor’s Choice” & “Record of the Year 2000”. Sales worldwide of their recording of all Beethoven symphonies with the Tonhalle Orchestra (complete cycle and separate CDs): more than 1,000,000 units.

The Beethoven cycle has been famous because of the unusual and fresh interpretation combining the advantages of period instruments interpretations with the sound qualities of a big modern orchestra. All qualities of the renowned Beethoven cycle can be expected also regarding to the Brahms interpretations.

All Sony Classical recordings have received special praise because of their superb sound quality. (Chris Hazell/Recording Producer & Simon Eadon/Sound Engineer & Editing).

The cycle of the complete Brahms Symphonies (Symphonies 1 – 4) was recorded in April 2010 in the Tonhalle Zurich, a concert hall, that has been inaugurated by Johannes Brahms himself and that is famous because of its superb acoustical qualities.

In recent years, the Tonhalle Orchestra has developed into one of Europe’s leading ensembles. Ground-breaking CD recordings of the orchestral works of Richard Strauss and the symphonies of Robert Schumann, for example – and most notably of all the Beethoven symphonies, overtures and solo concertos – paved the way for the orchestra’s rise to prominence.

Wherever the Tonhalle Orchestra performs it is enthusiastically received by audiences and critics alike.

Ever since 1999, when the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich won the German Record Critics’ Prize for its seminal recording of all the Beethoven symphonies, it has been at the centre of worldwide attention. Since then, well over one million CDs have been sold.