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RIGEL, H.-J.: Symphonies - Nos. 4, 7, 8, 10, 14 (Concerto Koln)


With this recording, Concerto Köln, famous for their sensational repertoire discoveries, rescue the composer Henri-Joseph Rigel's French symphonies from undeserved obscurity.

In many ways these works reflect a revolutionary era when a lively concert-going scene grew up among the bourgeoisie, despite the turmoil.

Rigel, who moved to Paris from Germany in 1767, played a significant part in the pre-Revolutionary Concert Spirituel, giving the style of the time a new angle, which was very well received by Parisian audiences. Hearing his symphonies performed with the excitement we have come to expect from Concerto Köln it seems almost inconceivable that this music is all but unknown today. Particularly astounding is the huge variety of moods and colours, far removed from a slavish observance of conventional forms. Concerto Köln conveys Rigel's creativity with inimitable persuasiveness, presenting for discussion what is in every sense a fresh addition to the repertoire.

 

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HANDEL, G.F.: Keyboard Suites, HWV 426-441 (Schirmer)


It is some years now since she made her celebrated CD debut with Bach's Goldberg Variations, and Ragna Schirmer now boasts a varied repertoire on disc.

To mark the 250th anniversary of George Frideric Handel's death, the artist - who has twice won the Bach Prize - returns to the Baroque repertoire, this time with a highly ambitious project.

Her new recording presents on three well-filled CDs the first recording of the complete two volumes of the 1720 and 1733 keyboard suites on a modern concert grand.

The sixteen works take shape in her hands as creations each with their own particular character. Showing a sure sense of style and a remarkable degree of improvisatory ability, the ECHO Klassik prizewinner sensitively endows them with individual life.

"All these finely recorded performances are models of musical grace and resilience."

(Gramophone, July 2008)

 

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HANDEL, G.F.: Opera Arias (La Diva) (Kermes)


Handel's operas took London by storm, because they appealed to an audience that loved to be caught up by powerful passions on the operatic stage. The singers that brought to life the leading female roles were the attraction, the top celebrities of their day.  One of the greatest stars in the London opera firmament was the Italian soprano Francesca Cuzzoni, for whom Handel wrote unforgettable music while pitting her against her greatest rival Faustina Bordoni.  

Star soprano Simone Kermes, hailed by Opera News as "Queen of Baroque", now honours this Handel anniversary year on her new CD with a varied selection of opera arias written by Handel for the voice and personality of Cuzzoni. Some of these arias were real Baroque hits, but there are hidden treasures to discover too: the two added arias from Rodelinda are presented here on CD for the first time!

Those consummate masters of the Baroque opera, Berlin's Lautten Compagney under Wolfgang Katschner, spread a supple backdrop of nuanced timbres for the voice of Simone Kermes, whose readings are famed for their brilliant coloraturas and a palpable sense of drama, lifting these arias fraught with passion to new heights of emotional experience.

"Kermes's performances give nothing but pleasure." (Gramophone)

 

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PAGANINI, N.: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 and 2 (Barati, North German Radio Philharmonic, Oue)


The young violinist Kristóf Baráti seems almost possessed by the devil in this, his Berlin Classics debut recording. He certainly plays the first two violin concertos by the composer and devil's violinist Niccolò Paganini as if he knows no earthly limits. The fast passages sound as if Baráti has spent his entire life doing nothing else but drawing this music out of his Stradivarius. In the calm sections the artist demonstrates impressive expression and sensitivity, allowing his instrument to truly sing. Conductor Eiji Oue guides the Hanover NDR Radio Philharmonic to a transparent and dynamic sound, which blends harmoniously with the soloist's tone to create a devilishly beautiful recording.