News from the Naxos Music Group
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Label of the Month: Grand Piano
Five years ago, the Grand Piano label was established to explore both undiscovered and rare gems of the piano repertoire that might otherwise remain unknown and unrecorded. The label’s catalogue contains an extraordinary number of world première recordings, performed by virtuoso authorities in their chosen field. We invite you to celebrate our fifth anniversary with our new release GRAND PIANO: THE KEY COLLECTION which will take you through three centuries of keyboard treasures. Organised chronologically according to the year the work was published, each album in this 3-CD sampler set is dedicated to a particular period of piano music, from the 18th and 19th centuries, all the way to the present day.
We are also launching a brand new website in the anniversary month – www.grandpianorecords.com – which we hope will serve as a guide for adventurous piano music lovers to discover new piano repertoire.
We hope you will enjoy visiting our new website and finding out why Grand Piano Records is “a treasure island of piano music” (Spiegel Online).
Download the Grand Piano Catalogue:
https://www.naxos.com/sharedfiles/PDF/Grand-Piano-Catalogue.pdf
A SUCCESSFUL UNITED STATES TOUR WITH THE ORCHESTRE NATIONAL DE LYON
The Orchestre National de Lyon’s six-concert, six-city tour of the United States was met with overwhelmingly positive reviews. From Carnegie Hall to the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, the orchestra lived up to its reputation as “probably the most refined ensemble of the world.” (The Guardian)
during the Carnegie Hall concert on February 20, 2017.
“The program was wildly demanding, and only an ensemble of the highest levels of virtuosity could bring it off. The ONL is one such orchestra, and Slatkin, for all his years, conducted with the energy of one a fraction of his age.”
– Palm Beach Daily News
“Visiting orchestras from Europe’s second and third cities have been a mixed group, from top-flight ensembles to fourth-tier groups. The Lyon orchestra ranks without question among the first, with nimble, resonant playing in winds and brass and a string sound of its own—unified, tight and honey-edged, but with a transparent texture more refined than the heavy plushness of many of its peers.”
– South Florida Classical Review
In April, Naxos will release the fifth installment of ONL’s and Leonard Slatkin’s cycle of Ravel's orchestral works with the composer’s re-working of Rimsky-Korsakov’s incidental music Antar (narrated by actor André Dussollier), coupled with the ever-popular Shéhérazade (with mezzo-soprano Isabelle Druet) – 8.573448.
Featured Digital Platform: Naxos Spoken Word Library
Featuring a comprehensive collection of classic audiobooks and high quality independent publisher productions, the Naxos Spoken Word Library (NSWL) provides an online and offline streaming service in English, German and French for both individual and institutional subscribers.
Naxos AudioBooks is an award winning audiobook publisher producing unique literary classics and educational themed productions. NSWL offers the complete Naxos AudioBooks catalogue, many available with text on screen and print features.
Also included are Naxos Educational products with a unique audiobook focus on classical music, reflecting our affiliation with Naxos, the world's leading classical music group. These titles cover lighthearted introductions to opera as well as biographies of composers and a survey of orchestral instruments.
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HENNING KRAGGERUD AWARDED THE AASE BYE PRIZE
Norwegian violinist Henning Kraggerud received this year’s Aase Bye Prize, one of Norway’s most prestigious awards that acknowledges the work of actors and musicians. The prize was conferred on him after a performance of Halvorsen’s Violin Concerto with the Bergen Philharmonic on March 9.
The award was first given to Stein Halvorsen, the son of composer Johan Halvorsen who wrote the concerto Henning both re-discovered and then gave the first commercial recording with the Malmö Symphony and conductor Bjarte Engeset (8.573738):
“Kraggerud’s playing is quite wonderful.” – KlassiskMusikk ★★★★★★
“Spirited and alert performances.” – Pizzicato ★★★★
“Henning Kraggerud, who already has made a number of excellent recordings of Norwegian music, makes a strong case for all of this music, with perfect support from the Malmö Orchestra and conductor Bjarte Engeset. Excellent audio is another plus.” – ClassicalCDReview.com
CELLIST HARRIET KRIJGH DEBUTS IN NEW YORK
The young star cellist Harriet Krijgh celebrated her New York City debut with two high-profile appearances:
- A Carnegie Hall performance of Gubaidulina’s Triple Concerto alongside violinist Baiba Skride and bayan player Elsbeth Moser, with the Boston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andris Nelsons (28 Feb 2017).
- A Lincoln Center recital with pianist Magda Amara that featured works by Schumann and Rachmaninov (19 Mar 2017).
Described by Der Neue Merker as “a cellist of grand stature”, the Netherlands-born, Vienna-trained cellist has released a number of critically acclaimed recordings on the Capriccio label:
MARVEL’S LEGION FEATURING FAURÉ
Naxos is pleased to be a part of the hot new Marvel show on FX titled “Legion”. Be sure to listen for some Fauré (8.550765) throughout the season, and see why trusted Music Supervisors choose the Naxos Licensing team to help elevate their projects.
The folks at Vox did a great review of the series which you can read here, anytime. Like what you hear during the show? Be sure to drop our agents a line anywhere in the world to get help with any exciting new projects!
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Check out other notable Naxos placements on www.naxoslicensing.com.
INTRODUCING ARKIVJAZZ - THE SOURCE FOR JAZZ MUSIC
ArkivJazz features one of the largest selections of jazz recordings from hundreds of labels including Atlantic, Blue Note, Concord, ECM, Prestige, Sony, and Verve. Whether you are looking for that classic Louis Armstrong recording or that genre-defining Miles Davis album, we have you covered.
Designed with both the jazz expert and new listener in mind, ArkivJazz offers easy navigation to find the latest releases or classic titles within a label’s deep catalog. If you live in the U.S. you can join our VIP program and receive free shipping in the continental US, a free subscription to DownBeat Magazine, and special VIP only offers.
![Lady in Satin [Vinyl]](https://www.naxos.com/ECard/NMG/201701/images/aj2.jpg "Lady in Satin [Vinyl]")
From Concertos to Cathedrals – Music by Jennifer Higdon
Jennifer Higdon is one of the most distinguished composers working in America today, and her music is a perfect fit for the Nashville Symphony, which has long maintained a commitment to championing the country’s most important voices. All Things Majestic is a four-movement suite which vividly captures the breathtaking beauty of the American landscape, and her wonderfully expressive concertos for viola and oboe bring out the unique textures and sonorities of these frequently overlooked solo instruments.
Leopold Koželuch’s Symphonies
A prolific composer of instrumental music, including symphonies, Leopold Koželuch was one of the most prominent Bohemian composers working in Vienna during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His best works reveal an impressive command of the musical language of Viennese classicism and at times a lyricism that seems to foreshadow the youthful works of Schubert. This recording draws on original sources and corrects a number of mistakes encountered in previously published versions.
Featured Playlists – Classical Music Playlists for Relaxation
Whether it's a busy day at work, running errands or chores around the house, it can be hard to find the time to pause and enjoy some personal wind-down time. So, when you do find a few moments to spare, it's best to make the most of them. Here are some playlists filled with serenely beautiful classical music to help you ease into a tranquil state of mind and enjoy some "me" time. Add them to your library to enjoy whenever you need a little music for relaxation.
ARTIST OF THE MONTH – NICHOLAS WALKER, PIANO
“Congratulations are due to the Naxos Music Group for enabling the world to hear a wealth of music that previously could only be read about in books at best. In creating the Grand Piano label Naxos has shone a light on the vast repertoire of beautiful piano music outside the standard repertoire. Many of the composers were major figures and often powerful musical influences but with changes of fashion became neglected.
Most music lovers would recognise the name Balakirev, but few have heard any of his works apart from the famous Islamey and the transcription of Glinka’s The Lark. Through these recordings I hope to restore this neglected composer to his rightful place and to introduce the public to the imaginative, colourful, subtle and warmly romantic creations of this poet and virtuoso. Each volume also contains some previously unknown works and fragments which I have completed.
Spending time with this beautiful music has been enormously enriching, both artistically and pianistically. Moreover, the great thing is that one never tires of Balakirev’s music: the more one hears it, the more one sees in it.
On the occasion of Grand Piano’s 5th birthday I’m sure all music lovers would join me in wishing the label many happy returns of the day!”
– Nicholas Walker
Nicholas Walker studied at the Royal Academy of Music and the Moscow Conservatoire. Winner of the first Newport International Piano competition, he has performed with major British Orchestras, given recitals worldwide, and recorded for the BBC, BMG/Arte Nova, ASV, Chandos, Danacord, and Grand Piano labels.
He is also sought-after as an imaginative and sensitive accompanist. Although his Beethoven performances have brought him special critical acclaim, and his performances of lyrical and late romantic piano music have also been highly praised, he is best known for championing the neglected leader of ‘The Mighty Handful’, Mili Alekseyevich Balakirev. In 2010 he organised the Balakirev Centenary concerts in London. He also teaches at the Royal Academy of Music.
– Diapason ★★★★★
– American Record Guide
– Musiq3
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