Falla: Suite populaire espagnole

In describing ¡España!, Mischa Maisky has stated, “I’ve included Spanish music in my programmes for many years and have been waiting for a chance to record these pieces.” This is his first album with his daughter, the gifted pianist Lily Maisky. Mischa Maisky, “the genius of the cello” (Melómano, Madrid), says that “Emotionally speaking, I feel very close to this music. Wherever I play Granados, Falla and Albéniz onstage, the response is always hugely enthusiastic.”

Following on from their successful first CD for Cello Classics, “Jaguar Songs”, named Editor’s Choice by Strings magazine, Cello Classics are delighted to announce the release of CC1025 – Song of the Birds – Spanish & Latin Cello.

Featuring music by de Falla, Sarasate, Piazzolla, Granados, Cassadó, Ginastera and Casals, cellist Nancy Green and pianist Tannis Gibson give stunning virtuoso performances overflowing with Latin fervour.

The Calvert-Turner Cello and Harp Duo gave their first concert in 2003 and have performed all over the UK to great critical acclaim. This disc is unique due to its combination of beautiful works for cello with piano or orchestral accompaniment, interpreted by Eleanor Turner at the harp, and original Cello and Harp duets. The release also features a premiere recording of an original Cello and Harp Sonata by the legendary Ravi Shankar.

The cello is perhaps the most romantic instrument of all. Its deep and sonorous sound evokes a melancholy and romantic atmosphere, touching a sensitive chord in everybody's soul.

This set contains some of the best-loved pieces for cello and piano. Two young exciting artists, Timora Rosler and Klára Würtz, make their debut together, playing with heart-felt warmth and musicality.

The Israeli/Dutch cellist Timora Rosler took first prize at the 1996 "Stuttgart International Cello Competition". In 1997 she won the "Vriendenkrans of the Royal Concertgebouw" in Amsterdam. She was praised by the jury as follows: "Timora Rosler has a capturing talent, intimate expressiveness, virtuosity and a natural feeling for the composition … Her interpretation is exceptionally fascinating".

All instruments courtesy of the Fulton Collection

2008 Grammy and Gramophone Award winner James Ehnes pays tribute to the world's most celebrated violin-makers in this unique ONYX project featuring performances on 12 of the greatest instruments ever made. The Fulton Collection is perhaps the most important private collection in the world and contains many examples of the legendary names Stradivari, Guarneri, da Salo and Guadagnini. For example, the priceless La Pucelle has never been heard in a recording, and the Lord Wilton was Yehudi Menuhin’s last instrument.

Ehnes performs 21 selections in a carefully planned recital programme specially chosen to suit each instrument and to work on its own terms. It finishes with a section comparing each instrument in an excerpt of the same piece, a unique opportunity to contrast the sound qualities of these spectacular instruments.

Ehnes says of the instruments: “I didn't want to spare them a full workout. I wanted to select repertoire that would show off their particular tonal characteristics and push them to the limit and me to my limit as well."

The DVD has the complete performances plus spectacular close-ups of the instruments and substantial interview sequences - Strads vs Guarneris, the importance of the bow, Ehnes’ relationship with the Fulton Collection and his preparation for the recording sessions. David Fulton also talks about his passion for collecting these rare instruments and says: “Ehnes is the only one who could have done this and is today’s David Oistrakh.” The highly collectible package includes detailed notes by Ehnes himself.