Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie

This collection of Bach concertos is the French pianist David Fray’s second recording for Virgin Classics. His first, with its thought-provoking juxtaposition of Bach and Boulez, was released in May 2007 and in April 2008 brought him the Best Newcomer Award from BBC Music Magazine. The recital also prompted Gramophone to speak of his: “unselfregarding mastery and musical maturity,” and the “intimate, poetic spell” cast by his Bach with its “gorgeous tone and ravishingly shaded trills.” The New York Times found it a “superbly played and thoughtful program … In both Bach and Boulez, Mr. Fray displays an articulate touch, splendid command of shadings and nimble finger work. The youthful freshness of the performances is especially appealing. Mr. Fray is not intimidated by either giant … He brings a fluid sense of rhythm and much sparkle to Bach's D major Partita … [the] account of Bach's D minor French Suite is also captivating,” while the “playful, crystalline and wondrously delicate account” of Boulez’s 12 Notations” was summarised as “breathtaking”.

2008 has been an important year for Fray, bringing his New York debut, his marriage (in July) and a documentary about him by distinguished filmmaker Bruno Monsaingeon. Now comes this collection of four of Bach’s six concertos for keyboard, with Fray directing the Bremen-based Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie from the piano.

The Austro-German repertoire in general is of great importance to the pianist, whose personal heritage includes Czech, Polish, Spanish, French, Finnish and Jewish strands. He has said that: 'If, over my life, I can play all the works of Bach, Mozart, Schubert, Haydn, Brahms and Schumann, then I shall be very happy!” but describes Bach as “a pinnacle; both a beginning and an end”.

‘Fray’s debut is marked by an imaginative collation, Bach and Boulez, played with vibrant imagination. He pushes the boundaries but resists the merely quirky. Impeccable technique allows him to speak from the heart with deceptive ease.’ BBC Music Magazine

Once again, charismatic Hélène Grimaud presents an album with an individual concept. Bach vs. Bach Transcribed brings together original keyboard works by the master with works by Bach arranged (transcribed) for the piano by pianist-composers of later generations: Busoni, Liszt, Rachmaninov. This is the first time that Hélène Grimaud has recorded Bach – a challenge for any musician. The repertoire includes the famous Well-Tempered Clavier II and the Concerto no. 1 in D minor, the latter performed with Grimaud’s regular collaborators, the Kammerphilharmonie Bremen. Bach “Transcribed” features the Bach/Busoni version of the Chaconne in D minor, the Violin Partita in E major arranged for piano by Rachmaninov, and Liszt’s version of the Prelude and Fugue in A minor

A landmark project in Grimaud’s successful career

Hailed as one of the most exciting musicians of her generation: “Dazzling…” (The Daily Telegraph); “…lavish virtuosity” (The Financial Times); her eagerly-awaited follow-up sees Batiashvili, internationally regarded as a superb interpreter of the classical repertoire and a decided champion of new music, in another adventurous collaboration with her trademark twist of unusual pairings: this time Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen coupled with Miniatures by Georgian composer Sulkhan Tsintsadze (1925-1991) featuring the Georgian Chamber Orchestra.

Most unusually, both orchestras are directed by Ms Batiashvili herself.

Ms Batiashvili was recently featured in The Guardian as one of the “four young stars of classical music you need to hear”. Now, in her mid-20s, she continues to make an indelible impression on the international music scene with stunning successes throughout Europe, North America, Australia and the Pacific-Rim territories.

Composed by the young Mendelssohn in 1822, the Magnificat and Gloria, were his first large scale choral works. This magnificent release from Carus continues their exploration of the complete Mendelssohn choral works and is once again conducted by Frieder Bernius.

Grammy Award-winning conductor Paavo Järvi and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen continue their spectacular Beethoven cycle on RCA Red Seal with the release of Beethoven’s Symphonies Nos. 5 and 1. The cycle will be completed in 2009.

Järvi’s conducting career is going from strength to strength; as well as being Artistic Director of the Deutsch Kammerphilharmonie Bremen; Music Director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, he is also the newly-named Music Director of L’Orchestre de Paris (beginning in 2010).