“I have heard an angel sing,” wrote Schubert after he heard Paganini play in Vienna in 1828. Vilde Frang, partnered by pianist Michael Lifits, juxtaposes and links works by these two violinist-composers, who lived vastly different lives, yet are musically connected. Both found inspiration in the human voice and Frang sheds new light on Schubert's demands for virtuosity and on Paganini's sensitive musicality.

Vilde Frang, partnered by pianist Michael Lifits, has assembled a programme that juxtaposes music by two violinist-composers of the early 19th century, Franz Schubert and Niccolò Paganini. While they lived vastly different lives and inhabited diverse aesthetic worlds, there are links to be found between them.

Through the juxtaposition, Frang wants to highlight Schubert's capacity for virtuosity and Paganini's musicality and sensitivity. “It's the contrasts that appeal to me,” she says. For her, the key connection between Schubert and Paganini is the inspiration they both found in the human voice. The album includes variations that Paganini wrote on themes from operas by Rossini (Tancredi) and Paisiello (La molinara), and the 'grand caprice' that the violinist Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst - considered Paganini's greatest successor - based on one of Schubert's most thrilling songs, Erlkönig. It sets a poem by Goethe that tells of a frantic night-time horse-ride by a father and his young son, who is tempted by a wicked spirit, the Erlking. When they reach their destination, the child is dead. “This Erlkönig is a gift to the violinist. There is such precision and accuracy in Ernst's transcription - it works so well that it sounds like it was written for the violin. And then there is the challenge of characterising the galloping horse, the father, the son and the Erlkönig himself.”

Vilde Frang (violin), Michael Lifits (piano)

Awards
Opus Klassik Awards 2020 Nominee - Instrumentalist of the Year

Composers

Ernst, Heinrich Wilhelm (1812-65)
Liszt, Ferencz (1811-86)
Paganini, Niccolò (1782-1840)
Schubert, Franz Peter (1797-1828)

Works

Ernst, H W: Der Erlkönig - Grand Caprice Op. 26
Liszt: Soirées de Vienne: valse-caprice No. 6 (after Schubert), D427 No. 6
Paganini: Cantabile for violin & piano/guitar in D major, Op. 17, MS 109
Paganini: I Palpiti, Op. 13
Paganini: Introduction & Variations on 'Nel cor più non mi sento' by Paisiello, MS 44
Schubert: Fantasie in C major for violin and piano, D934
Schubert: Rondo brillant in B minor, D895 (Op. 70)

Khatia Buniatishvili's first Schubert recording includes Schubert's great last Piano Sonata (D 960), the 4 popular Impromptus and Ständchen (arr.by Liszt). Khatia will be performing the repertoire on a worldwide tour, including London's Barbican on 1st April. Khatia is one of the today's leading classical pianists, having performed at the most prestigious venues and events including New York's Carnegie Hall, the BBC Proms at the London's iconic Royal Albert Hall and Salzburg Festival. Gramophone noted of the critically acclaimed pianist's previous recordings “Buniatishvili produces the most ravishing, velvet-toned pianissimo” ('Motherland') and “Right from the concerto's opening moments, there's tremendous power to Buniatishvili's playing, and her massive technique overcomes every hurdle with ease.” ('Rachmaninoff').

Awards
Opus Klassik Awards 2020 Nominee - Instrumentalist of the Year

Khatia Buniatishvili (piano)

Composers

Liszt, Ferencz (1811-86)
Schubert, Franz Peter (1797-1828)

Works

Liszt: Ständchen - Leise flehen meine Lieder (S559a, after Schubert)
Schubert: 4 Impromptus, D899
Schubert: Impromptu in A flat major, D899 No. 4
Schubert: Impromptu in C minor, D899 No. 1
Schubert: Impromptu in E flat major, D899 No. 2
Schubert: Impromptu in G flat major, D899 No. 3
Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 21 in B flat major, D960

Trio Les Esprits: Victor Julien-Laferrière (cello), Adam Laloum (piano), Mi-Sa Yang (violin)

Composers

Schubert, Franz Peter (1797-1828)

Works

Schubert: Fantasie in C major for violin and piano, D934
Schubert: Piano Trio No. 1 in B flat major, D898
Schubert: Piano Trio No. 2 in E flat major, D929
Schubert: Sonata in A minor 'Arpeggione', D821

Composers

Bach, Johann Sebastian (1685-1750)
Brahms, Johannes (1833-97)
Schubert, Franz Peter (1797-1828)

Works

Bach, J S: Partita for solo violin No. 1 in B minor, BWV1002
Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 1 in G major, Op. 78
Schubert: Rondo brillant in B minor, D895 (Op. 70)

His love for the works of Schubert led Ammiel Bushakevitz to the art song repertoire. He received mentorship in this field from notable singers including the late Dietrich FischerDieskau, Thomas Quasthoff, Elly Ameling, Thomas Hampson, Matthias Goerne, Teresa Berganza and Brigitte Fassbaender.

Born in Jerusalem, Israel and raised in South Africa, Ammiel Bushakevitz developed a special affinity for the music of Franz Schubert from an early age. He is a laureate of the International Franz Schubert Competition Dortmund and is a recipient of the International Schubert Institute Award in Vienna.

Ammiel Bushakevitz performs regularly at notable venues across Europe, North America, Africa and Asia. Festival appearances include the festivals of Salzburg, Lucerne and Bayreuth, the Festival d'automne à Paris, the Festival Pontino di Latina in Italy, the Jerusalem Schubertiade, the Vancouver Chamber Music Series and the Festival d'Aix-enProvence

Ammiel Bushakevitz (piano)

Composers

Schubert, Franz Peter (1797-1828)

Works

Schubert: 12 Grazer Walzer, D 924 Op. 91
Schubert: 4 Impromptus, D899
Schubert: Impromptu in A flat major, D899 No. 4
Schubert: Impromptu in C minor, D899 No. 1
Schubert: Impromptu in E flat major, D899 No. 2
Schubert: Impromptu in G flat major, D899 No. 3
Schubert: Klavierstücke (3), D946

Experience Grigory Sokolov - „probably the best live pianist of our days“ (Berliner Morgenpost) - in a filmed concert praised to the skies by critics.

The completely sold out concert took place on 5 June 2013 in the Philaharmonie Berlin, which is known for its exquisite acoustics.

Acclaimed French film-maker Bruno Monsaingeon (Profile on IMDb) is well known for his documentaries about iconic pianists Glenn Gould (Glenn Gould - Hereafter), Sviatoslav Richter (Richter - The Enigma) and Mauricio Pollini (De main de maître ).

In the director's notes to this new Sokolov film, Monsaingeon writes:

“Sokolov himself believes that the concert represents the focal point of musical life and that everything else is artificial. As a result, he is not only reluctant to be recorded but also to be filmed.

In spite of this, we were able to overcome his reservations on this point of principle (…). The idea of filming a public recital was accepted a first time in 2002 (Théâtre des Champs Elysées, Paris) and the second time at the Berlin Philharmonie on 5 June 2013.

The filming was made live with 7 cameras, with no retakes and with nothing to detract from his total concentration, which is directed solely at the music.”

Grigory Sokolov (piano)

Composers

Beethoven, Ludwig van (1770-1827)
Brahms, Johannes (1833-97)
Rameau, Jean Philippe (1683-1764)
Schubert, Franz Peter (1797-1828)

Works

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat major, Op. 106 'Hammerklavier'
Brahms: Intermezzo in B flat minor, Op. 117 No. 2
Rameau: La follette
Rameau: Les Cyclopes
Rameau: Les Sauvages
Rameau: Les tendres plaintes
Rameau: Pièces de Clavecin 1724: Les Tourbillons
Schubert: 4 Impromptus, D899
Schubert: Impromptu in A flat major, D899 No. 4
Schubert: Impromptu in C minor, D899 No. 1
Schubert: Impromptu in E flat major, D899 No. 2
Schubert: Impromptu in G flat major, D899 No. 3
Schubert: Klavierstücke (3), D946

With all 9 of Franz Schubert's symphonies, this 4 CD boxset presents a fantastic collection of Sir Colin Davis' work with the Staatskapelle Dresden, where he was a principal guest conductor, and appointed honorary conductor (Ehrendirigent) in 1990, the first in the orchestra's 460-year-history.

Staatskapelle Dresden, Sir Colin Davis

Composers

Schubert, Franz Peter (1797-1828)

Works

Schubert: Symphonies Nos. 1-9
Schubert: Symphony No. 1 in D major, D82
Schubert: Symphony No. 2 in B flat major, D125
Schubert: Symphony No. 3 in D major, D200
Schubert: Symphony No. 4 in C minor, D417 'Tragic'
Schubert: Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, D485
Schubert: Symphony No. 6 in C major, D589
Schubert: Symphony No. 8 in B minor, D759 'Unfinished'
Schubert: Symphony No. 9 in C major, D944 'The Great'

Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Janos Ferencsik, Claudio Abbado

Composers

Haydn, Franz Joseph (1732-1809)
Schubert, Franz Peter (1797-1828)

Works

Haydn: Mass, Hob. XXII:11 in D minor 'Nelsonmesse'
Schubert: Mass No. 2 in G major, D167

Emanuel Ax (piano), Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Edgar Meyer (bass), Pamela Frank (violin), Rebecca Young (viola), Barbara Bonney (soprano)

Composers

Schubert, Franz Peter (1797-1828)

Works

Schubert: Piano Quintet in A Major, D. 667, Op. 114 'Trout'
Schubert: Die Forelle, D550
Schubert: Sonata in A minor 'Arpeggione', D821

Live from the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and the Ludwigsburg International Music Festival, 2012

Güher Pekinel (piano), Süher Pekinel (piano)
Zubin Mehta

Composers

Bartók, Béla (1881-1945)
Brahms, Johannes (1833-97)
Debussy, Claude Achille (1862-1918)
Infante, Manuel (1883-1958)
Lutosławski, Witold (1913-94)
Milhaud, Darius (1892-1974)
Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus (1756-91)
Poulenc, Francis (1899-1963)
Schubert, Franz Peter (1797-1828)

Works

Bartók: Concerto for 2 pianos, percussion & orchestra, BB 121, Sz. 115
Brahms: Hungarian Dance No. 5 in G minor
Debussy: En blanc et noir
Lutosławski: Variations on a Theme by Paganini, for two pianos
Milhaud: Brazileira from Scaramouche
Mozart: Sonata for 2 pianos in D major, K448
Poulenc: Elegie
Schubert: Fantasie in F minor for piano duet, D940

Alfred Brendel (piano)

Composers

Schubert, Franz Peter (1797-1828)

Works

Schubert: Moments Musicaux (6), D780, Op. 94
Schubert: Piano Sonata No. 21 in B flat major, D960

Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Carlo Maria Giulini

Composers

Schubert, Franz Peter (1797-1828)
Schumann, Robert (1810-56)

Works

Schubert: Symphony No. 9 in C major, D944 'The Great'
Schumann: Manfred Overture, Op. 115

After their acclaimed recording of the complete Beethoven symphonies in a new musical guise, a highly-regarded cycle of Richard Strauss's tone poems, the complete Mahler symphonies and a number of other musical projects with which they attracted widespread attention, David Zinman and the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich now devote themselves to the symphonies of Franz Schubert. We began with 2 volumes - one containing Symphonies 1&2, and the second containing the 7th Symphony, followed by the brand new recording of Symphonies 3 & 4, released in July 2012. This new volume contains Symphonies 5 & 6, released in December 2012.

David Zinman says:

Schubert has always been a deep love of mine from the time I was a young violinist. I remember playing the Sonatina for violin and piano at one of my first public recitals. One of the first orchestral scores that I bought was the «Unfinished».

There is, within the symphonies, so much music I wouldn't want to be without; a wonderful melodic and harmonic treasure trove that is memorable and irreplaceable, and which influenced generations of composers who came after him.

I am very much looking forward to recording these works, performing them in a way which will take into consideration both his influences and his innovations.

Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, David Zinman

Composers

Schubert, Franz Peter (1797-1828)

Works

Schubert: Symphony No. 5 in B flat major, D485
Schubert: Symphony No. 6 in C major, D589

Lucia Popp (soprano), Adolf Dallapozza (tenor) & Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone)
Chor und Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Wolfgang Sawallisch

Composers

Schubert, Franz Peter (1797-1828)

Works

Schubert: Deutsche Messe, D872
Schubert: Deutsches Salve Regina in F, D379
Schubert: Hymne, D964
Schubert: Mass No. 2 in G major, D167
Schubert: Psalm 23 'Gott ist mein Hirt', D706
Schubert: Psalm 92 D953

Composers

Schubert, Franz Peter (1797-1828)
Works

Schubert: An die Entfernte, D765 (Goethe)
Schubert: Auf dem Wasser zu singen, D774
Schubert: Das Heimweh, D456 (Winkler)
Schubert: Das Lied im Grünen, D917
Schubert: Das Zugenglocklein D871 (Seidl)
Schubert: Der Jüngling an der Quelle, D300 (Salis-Seewis)
Schubert: Der Jungling und der Tod, D545 (Spaun)
Schubert: Der Schiffer, D536 (Mayrhofer)
Schubert: Der Strom, D565 (poet unknown)
Schubert: Der Tod und das Mädchen, D531
Schubert: Der Wanderer, D649 (Friedrich von Schlegel)
Schubert: Der Winterabend (Es ist so still), D938
Schubert: Der zürnende Barde D785 (Bruchmann)
Schubert: Die Forelle, D550
Schubert: Du bist die Ruh D776 (Rückert)
Schubert: Erlkönig, D328
Schubert: Heidenröslein, D257
Schubert: Litanei auf das Fest Allerseelen, D343
Schubert: Nachtgesang D314 (Kosegarten)
Schubert: Sei mir gegrüsst! D741 (Rückert)
Schubert: Ständchen 'Horch! Horch! die Lerch!', D889