Super-Audio CD

When American composers began writing symphonies around the mid-1800s, their works were very much in the European tradition. During the first half of the 20th century, the great innovator Charles Ives injected a recognizably American sound into the...

What we know as 'Handel's Opus 3' is most likely little more than a brazen attempt by the London publisher John Walsh to make some quick money. In 1715, Walsh had issued a pirated edition of Corelli's 12 Concerti Grossi Opus 6 which proved an instant...

What is special about these recordings is the sound recording that fully exploits the Surround effect. It not only feeds in the hall resonance through the rear loudspeaker, but also instrumental groups. The listener actually sits in the orchestra and has...

What ensemble could be more predestined for Ludwig van Beethoven's piano trios than the Vienna Piano Trio? Following it's brilliant beginning with the Trios op. 70, this top ensemble from Vienna now presents the magnificent and mighty "Archduke Trio" op...

What better music than Vivaldi's Le Quattro Stagioni to start the celebration of Rachel Podger's 50th birthday year? Together with the star players of Brecon Baroque, Podger guides listeners through the cycle of nature and life. Vivaldi's Four Seasons...

We're In This Love Together - Celebrating Al Jarreau was originally a kickstarter campaign project created by Chris Walker, Jarrea-u's protege and friend who spent twenty- years traveling the globe with the jazz- maestro. First released in 2019, it is...

Well into the previous century Sweden was largely a peasant society with folk music an integral part of daily life. There were work songs, narrative ballads and, obviously, music for dancing. Over the centuries a not always easy coexistence between...

We at Challenge are proud to present a new account of Goldberg Variations by critically acclaimed young pianist Hannes Minnaar. His rendition of Goldbergs sums up all the features of a 'contemporary' interpretation at the highest degree: Transparent,...

Washington National Opera presents Blue, a contemporary opera on racial injustice in the US today, with a libretto by Tazewell Thompson set to music by Jeanine Tesori. Blue tells the tragic story of an African-American police officer whose son is killed...

Volga-Tatar-born Canadian composer and conductor Airat Ichmouratov conducts the London Symphony Orchestra for this recording of two of his major works, Chandos' third album dedicated to the works of this outstanding composer. Both concertos are recorded...

Vol. 10, the last edition in a discovery through the Northern German organ baroque. The eight featured organ composers were active in the Baltic Sea region. Flamme interprets the pieces on the organ in St. Mary's Church in Helsingoer. This instrument was...

Vladimir Jurowski and the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester continue their PENTATONE journey through the heights of German late-Romantic repertoire with a recording of Richard Strauss's Eine Alpensinfonie. The Alpine Symphony was inspired by the composer's...