It was thanks to composer Hugo Alfvén that Sweden got its very first recording label devoted purely to classical music. The bond of friendship that existed between him and the recording enthusiast Hans Peter Kempe proved one of the most important in the history of Sweden’s recording industry. The Midsummer Vigil LP, which was the label’s very first release, raised Alfvén’s profile to an international level.
Today, Swedish Society Discofil is still an important player in the recording of Swedish music and artists. Considered an audiophile label, it shares its recording philosophy with sister-labels Proprius and Prophone.
Recorded in 2022, this album features a collaboration between Sweden’s leading chamber orchestra Musica Vitae and Nordic, one of Sweden’s renowned and style-forming folk bands founded by cellist Anders Löfberg, nyckelharpist Erik Rydvall and mandolinist Magnus Zetterlund. It includes Nordic’s own compositions mixed with Pee Wee Ellis’ fusion classic The Chicken, accompanied by a chamber orchestra led by Mårten Sundén. The two ensembles feed off each other and push the boundaries of their respective genres.
The music of Swedish composer Staffan Storm is distinguished by its extraordinary variety, sonic beauty, and solid craftsmanship. Qualities of Darkness for mixed choir and string orchestra is a commissioned work by Ensemble SYD, based on text quotes from four of Handel’s large oratorios. The album also includes Handel’s Concerto Grosso Op. 6, No. 7 in B major and the dramatic cantata Dixit Dominus for soloists, choir and orchestra. Conducted by Daniel Hansson, the recording is accompanied by Camerata Nordica.
Johan Joachim Agrell was a prominent Swedish composer and musician in the 18th century. Drottningholms Barockensemble’s album features six of his orchestral suites, showcasing his talent before the advent of the 4-movement symphony format. The ensemble, founded in 1971, plays period instruments and has recorded around 60 albums, including works by J.S. Bach, Handel and Telemann.
– BBC Music Magazine ★★★★★
– BBC Music Magazine ★★★★
Swedish conductor Erik Westberg studied choral conducting with Eric Ericson at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and subsequently directed numerous choirs, including the Swedish Radio Choir and the Oslo Philharmonic Choir. He has been engaged as guest conductor for Pro Coro Canada, Coro Nacional de España, Coro Sinfônica do Estado de São Paulo, and Jauna Muzika in Lithuania.
His discography includes more than 20 recordings, several of which have received excellent reviews. Westberg has won numerous awards, including the Culture Prize of the Year from the Municipality of Piteå in 2002, and the King’s Medal of the Eighth Size with the ribbon of the Order of the Seraphim in 2006 for his significant contributions to Swedish musical life. He was honoured with the Grant of Honour and Merit of Norbotten County in 2016.
Hugo Alfvén, one of Sweden’s most highly esteemed composers, wrote many beloved compositions for men’s choir and mixed choir. The Erik Westberg Vocal Ensemble has recorded twenty of these songs, including world premiere recordings of A Song of the Youngsters’ Island (En visa om Barnens ö), The Song Thrush (Taltrasten) and Christmas Hymn (Julhymn). The album also includes some of his well-known songs, including The Evening (Aftonen), Ambient Mood (Stemning), Butterfly (Papillon) and Star of Christmas (Julsång).
The Cloud of Unknowing is an album of new Swedish repertoire for choir and viola by the Erik Westberg Vocal Ensemble. The album features works by Fredrik Högberg, Andrea Tarrodi, Brett Dean, Paula af Malmborg Ward and Jan Sandström.
‘The singing is in every respect superior, and the commitment is obvious. The Erik Westberg Vocal Ensemble are the best imaginable advocates for this far from easy repertoire.’
– MusicWeb International
This recording is inspired by collaborations between Sami artists Frode Fjellheim, Katarina Barruk, Johan Märak and the Erik Westberg Vocal Ensemble.
‘A wholly fascinating disc!’
– MusicWeb International
Ondine’s Schubert piano trio album featuring Lars Vogt, Christian Tetzlaff and Tanja Tetzlaff has been awarded the prestigious German Opus Klassik Award in the category of best chamber music recordings of the year.
This album includes some of Franz Schubert’s greatest chamber music works, including his Piano Trios and the Arpeggione Sonata, in breathtaking interpretations.
‘This superb Schubert collection is the capstone to one of the most significant musical collaborations in the last quarter century.’
– Fanfare
‘Schubert’s extraordinary ability to create beauty and joy amidst suffering—to transcend impending tragedy by tapping into a seemingly inexhaustible fount of melody—is mirrored here by the superb, committed playing of Vogt and the Tetzlaff siblings.’
– Sterophile ★★★★★
The award ceremonies will take place on 7 October 2023 at the St. Elisabeth Church in Berlin, and on 8 October 2023 in the Konzerthaus Berlin.
– Gramophone
– ClassicsToday.com
– The New York Times
All at Naxos were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hungarian pianist Jenő Jandó. One of the most prolific artists in the history of classical music recording, Jenő released his first album for Naxos in 1988 as the young label’s first house pianist. He would go on to produce a series of the complete works for keyboard by major composers that generated a truly phenomenal discography of classical-romantic and, later, 20th-century repertoire.
Jenő’s recordings for Naxos include all of Mozart’s piano concertos and sonatas; the complete piano sonatas of Haydn and Beethoven; the complete piano music of Bartók; and numerous albums of chamber music. Jenő mirrored Naxos’ approach to its catalogue, that of embracing innovation, completeness, quality, breadth and availability. To this can be added the supremacy of the work over the ego of the performer, which led to Jenő’s reputation as the prime example of a ‘silent star’.
As an accompanist, Jenő worked closely with violinist Takako Nishizaki. Together, they recorded over 100 works for Naxos, gaining widespread recognition for their interpretations of classical repertoire, most notably for their four-volume set of the Mozart violin sonatas. Looking back on their partnership, established over 30 years ago, Takako Nishizaki commented:
‘The world has lost a wonderful musician. I have not seen or played with him for a long time, perhaps more than 20 years. But when we recorded the Beethoven and Mozart sonatas together many years ago, we always had a lot of fun. He was highly intelligent and extremely musical with technique to spare and the ability to create tone colour always appropriate to the music. I will miss him.’
Jenő’s final recording for Naxos was released in 2020. The programme comprised later works by Liszt. The critical reception it received from American Record Guide serves as an appropriate valediction: “Jandó’s sheer output is admirable. As a recording artist, he is one of the most prolific, and yet quality does not suffer at all with the sheer volume of his output … Excellent and clean playing, as always.”
Formed in 1973, the Guitar Foundation of America has inspired artistry, built community, and promoted the classical guitar internationally through excellence in performance, literature, education and research. Its competitions are ranked as some of the most prestigious in the classical guitar world.
Ukrainian soloist Marko Topchii won first prize at the GFA International Concert Artists Competition (ICAC), having previously won the 2017 Michele Pittaluga Guitar Competition. He made his Naxos debut in the Guitar Laureate Series (8.573963), performing a rich and varied repertoire ranging from neo-Romanticism to serialism, each work offering a unique vision of the instrument’s technical and expressive capabilities. Watch the ICAC final round livestream here.
The UK-based Mēla Guitar Quartet was placed first at the International Ensemble Competition. The quartet’s first project was a collaborative recording of guitar chamber works by Stephen Dodgson, released on Naxos 8.573762. American Record Guide wrote that the works are ‘all charming and enjoyable. Anyone who works with groups of guitars should know these pieces – and anyone interested in guitar with other instruments will find much to prize here.’ Their upcoming album of guitar quartets by Anthony Burgess is scheduled for release in September 2023. Watch their performance at the competition here.
– Gramophone
– WQXR (Best Classical Recordings of 2019)
– Classical Guitar
– American Record Guide
– Soundboard
– American Record Guide
Celebrated for her luminous voice and ‘a knack for bringing opera into the mainstream,’ soprano Renée Fleming was recently named one of this year’s recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors, the annual tradition of recognising the lifelong accomplishments and extraordinary talents of America’s most prestigious artists.
Fleming commented: ‘How thrilling to join the company of legendary artists who have received this recognition. Music has defined the arc of my life, giving voice to an introverted child, taking me to places I never dreamed of visiting and people I never dreamed of meeting. Most of all, it has shown me the enormous potential for healing and joy that the arts offer everyone.’
The soprano’s distinguished career and extensive discography has earned her five GRAMMY Awards, the Crystal Award from World Economic Forum (Davos), Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur from the French government, Germany’s Cross of the Order of Merit, Sweden’s Polar Music Prize, an honorary membership of England’s Royal Academy of Music, and an American National Medal of Arts.
– Gramophone
– ClassicsToday.com
– Fanfare
Leonard Slatkin has an extensive Naxos discography comprising programmes of significant American, French and Russian works. He has won six GRAMMY Awards and received 35 nominations. He holds the National Medal of Arts and is a Chevalier in the French Legion of Honour.
In 1974, as an assistant to the music director of the St Louis Symphony Orchestra, Walter Susskind entrusted Slatkin to conduct the orchestra’s first recordings on Vox – the works for piano and orchestra by George Gershwin with soloist Jeffrey Siegel. This was followed by a collection of Gershwin’s other orchestral works including An American in Paris. Slatkin held the position of music director from 1979 to 1996, producing many critically acclaimed albums, such as the symphonies of Rachmaninov, Prokofiev’s Alexander Nevsky, and more.
Produced by Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz, these iconic recordings are now remastered in high definition, and in spatial audio (Dolby Atmos) under Vox’s Audiophile Edition series.
‘This recording is mesmerising for start to end… If you are even remotely interested in Gershwin or American music, grab this set when you see it!’
– flyinginkpot.com
‘Jeffrey Siegel has everything: massive technique, musical sensitivity and character, wide tonal resources, immense reserves of power, and the ability to communicate.’
– The Los Angeles Times
‘Slatkin and the St Louis’ feel for Gershwin was unaffected and affectionate, and their interpretations here are delightful, exciting, and often quite captivating.’
– AllMusic.com
– Infodad.com ★★★★
– BBC Music Magazine
Fresh from their critically acclaimed series of the complete symphonies of Beethoven and Brahms, the Danish Chamber Orchestra and Adam Fischer turn to Haydn’s late symphonies, beginning with the first three of the twelve ‘London’ symphonies, composed during Haydn’s first visit to the capital. Arguably his greatest achievements in the genre, they include the enduringly popular ‘surprise’ in the slow movement of No. 94. Fischer and his orchestra, who have performed together for over two decades, employ varied bowing and playing styles in the strings and innovative dynamic techniques in the winds that bring new levels of excitement to these masterpieces.
Recorded live at the Haydn Festivals, these award-winning forces aim to present all 24 of the symphonies Haydn wrote following his time as Kapellmeister at the Esterházy Palace. Vol. 2 is scheduled for release in October 2023.
Listen to our pre-release digital single of the second movement of Haydn’s Symphony No. 94 and discover the timeless beauty of this masterpiece!
[5-Disc Boxed Set]
– ICMA
[3-Disc Boxed Set]
– Musical Opinion ★★★★★
Enjoy outstanding opera, ballet and other theatrical productions from some of Europe’s most prestigious houses, staged by award-winning directors, now available on Amazon Prime Video for rent or digital purchase! (Select titles may be unavailable for streaming on some locations.)
To mark this occasion, The New York Times shared their top choices from our catalogue: https://bit.ly/3puFJIV
More full-length videos? NaxosVideoLibrary.com brings you an extensive streaming video library of classical music performances, opera, ballet, live concerts and documentaries. Watch the world’s greatest opera houses, ballet companies, orchestras and artists perform on demand!
Gramophone Magazine recently published their top choices of classical music releases from the first half of 2023, including several from Naxos Music Group labels. These are all Editor’s Choice albums:
‘The superb pianist Han Chen draws on an equal affinity with Romantic and contemporary repertoire to bring us a survey of Ligeti’s Études which…stands among the best.’
‘This survey of music by the prolific Russian choral composer Pavel Chesnokov – the first full album of his music by an English choir – is rich in spiritual drama and gloriously recorded.’
‘Frank Dupree’s mission to promote the jazz-infused music of Nikolai Kapustin continues with this glorious album.’
‘An excellent collection of Bacewicz’s works, from committed advocates of her music.’
Browse the complete list on Gramophone’s website.
This year marks the 400th anniversary of the death of William Byrd, an English composer of the Renaissance era and one of the greatest composers of his time. His contemporaries referred to him as ‘a Father of Musick’ and ‘our Phoenix’, perhaps alluding to his role in bringing Elizabethan music to a peak of perfection, particularly in terms of his understanding of the way continental polyphony could be used for effective expressive ends. Having learned through the influence of his older colleague Thomas Tallis, and the example of foreigners such as Alfonso Ferrabosco, whose music was much copied and eventually published in England, Byrd developed his distinctive musical language into one capable of infinite variety of mood and character.
– Fanfare
– MusicWeb International
Browse our Early Music catalogue to learn more about our acclaimed recordings.
Until 28 August 2023, PrestoMusic is offering 50% off all Hi-Res downloads on Naxos – the perfect chance to try these great recordings in the best possible sound!
– BBC Music Magazine ★★★★
– Gramophone
– de Gelderlander ★★★★★
Gramophone’s Orchestra of the Year Award is the only award voted for by the public. Nominated ensembles include the BBC Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, and others. Visit the Gramophone website to vote for your favourite ensemble: https://bit.ly/3Od6EST
– BBC Music Magazine
– Gramophone
![TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I.: Eugene Onegin [Opera] (Glyndebourne, 1994) (NTSC)](https://www.naxos.com/sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/OA1374D.jpg "TCHAIKOVSKY, P.I.: Eugene Onegin [Opera] (Glyndebourne, 1994) (NTSC)")
Podcast: Claudio Santoro: Orchestral Explorations of the 1960s
July 14, 2023
Brazilian composer Claudio Santoro (1919–1989) proved a dynamic force for his country’s classical music scene. His life was both intertwined with, and deeply influenced by, the political and social events playing out around him, from the building of the Berlin Wall in Europe to political upheavals in his homeland. Through it all, his compositions reflected a life of distinctive musical exploration.
C Symphonies
July 7, 2023
As a youngster, one knew that the first requirement for playing the piano was to be able to find Middle C. So, I got to wondering if the first requirement for composers was to be able to write a Symphony in C. After all, I thought, Beethoven went on to produce nine symphonies, but his first was indeed cast in that key.
Looking for new music? Our selection of curated playlist has you covered with music to complement the season, moment, or activity! Take a deep breath and relax with Lullaby Baby Classical, discover the rich heritage of classical composers from the United States with Naxos American Classics, discover a potpourri of French piano styles with the French Impressions playlist from Grand Piano, and explore the classical side of summer with Naxos Moods. Happy listening!
Discover the Naxos Atmosphere playlist, a spatial experience from the Naxos world of classical music featuring Dolby Atmos technology.
Japan’s Palme d’Or-winning director Hirokazu Kore-eda’s film Kaibutsu (Monster) recently won the award for Best Screenplay at the 76th Cannes International Film Festival. The film stars Sakura Andō as a mother who confronts a teacher after noticing disturbing changes in her son’s behaviour. The story morphs again, looping back to show us other characters’ perspectives as the film gradually reveals the truth of the matter. After the screening at the festival, the audience gave a six-minute standing ovation.
Check out how Naxos’ recording of Liszt’s transcription of Schubert’s Erlkönig was used to heighten the tension and drama of the movie trailer.
Need to license some music for a project and don’t know where to start? Visit Naxos Licensing to find out how!
