NEWS FROM THE NAXOS MUSIC GROUP

Born in Berlin in 1976, Lars Eidinger studied at the prestigious Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Art in Berlin. During his studies he had a guest engagement at the Deutsches Theater Berlin for two years in productions that included Preparations for Immortality by Peter Handke (1997) and The Maid of Orleans by Friedrich Schiller (1998) under Jürgen Gosch’s direction.

Since 1999 he has been an ensemble member at the Berliner Schaubühne. His portrayals of Hamlet and Richard III in Thomas Ostermeier’s productions were internationally acclaimed and made him a formative actor of the Schaubühne.

Since 2005 Lars Eidinger has featured in numerous national and international cinema productions, including Goltzius & The Pelican Company (directed by Peter Greenaway, 2011), Clouds of Sils Maria (directed by Olivier Assayas, 2013), Familienfest (directed by Lars Kraume, 2015). He received the Preis der Deutschen Filmkritik for his role in TABU – Es ist die Seele ein Fremdes auf Erden and Home for the weekend in 2012, and was awarded the Grimme Prize for best actor for his role in Border Walk. Alongside this, he has acted in several TV series, including Polizeiruf 110 and Tatort.

Richard is hideous, deformed and full of hatred for the world. He exploits the ambitions of others for his own ends. With unscrupulous virtuosity he clears away every obstacle that lies in his path to becoming king. But even this triumph fails to heal the great insult nature has visited upon him. Alone at the apex of the English kingdom, he now turns his rage on his true nemesis – himself.

Richard III is one of Shakespeare’s earliest works, first performed around 1593. But until this day the title character with his unbridled, single-minded, gleefully exhibited amorality has lost none of his fascination.

Staged by Thomas Ostermeier at the Schaubühne Berlin this production is perfectly cast with a select team and a compelling Lars Eidinger as Richard.

The Conductor, a new documentary highlighting Marin Alsop’s life and career, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on 14 June. Directed by Bernadette Wegenstein and written by Wegenstein and Stefan Fauland, the film chronicles Marin’s journey from childhood to the present day, showcasing her extraordinary and groundbreaking artistic achievements.

All at Naxos send their warmest congratulations to Julian Lloyd Webber following his inclusion in The Queen’s 2021 Birthday Honours List on the 11th of June. The renowned international cellist, conductor, educator and broadcaster received an OBE for his services to Music.

Mr Lloyd Webber has a number of acclaimed albums in the Naxos catalogue, but in 2014 he was obliged to retire from playing the cello due to a neck injury which reduced the power of his bowing arm. In July 2015 he began his 5-year tenure as principal of the UK’s Birmingham Conservatoire, the most recent in a long line of associations with the world of music education. During this time, he collaborated with Naxos to promote some of the conservatoire’s outstanding performers through debut recordings on the label.

The most recent Netflix hit movie, Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead, has licensed music from the Naxos recording of Wagner’s Götterdämmerung performed by Hong Kong Philharmonic under Jaap van Zweden. The music featured significantly during the film’s climax.

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‘Yet another brilliant young female trumpeter!... Ott’s playing is superb — technically brilliant, but full of warm expression when needed.’
– MusicWeb International

‘Selina Ott is a fine young trumpet player. Beautiful, committed readings by this orchestra, too.’
– American Record Guide

Following the success of his latest album of Beethoven’s piano sonatas, award-winning pianist Kotaro Fukuma presents a new recording featuring piano transcriptions of Bach’s music, including his arrangement of an aria from the St Matthew Passion.

‘2020 will be remembered in history as the year when the coronavirus pandemic swept around the globe and people faced unprecedented challenges. In my case, numerous concerts were cancelled or postponed, and it was an anxious time that I’d not experienced previously as a musician. During the prolonged ‘stay at home’ period, I attempted various online projects, such as streaming concerts, in the hope of keeping the arts going.

On one occasion, I asked via social media what kind of piano music people wanted to hear most, and a large number answered the music of J.S. Bach. Strangely enough, I also felt at the time that I wanted to play Bach. This is probably not a coincidence, but it’s more that Bach’s music has healing power.’ – Kotaro Fukuma