New Releases on C. Bechstein

Silvestrov - Daniel Hope & Alexey Botvinov

The music of Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov has attracted worldwide attention in recent months. War was part of his childhood in Nazi-occupied Kiev. War defines his old age 80 years later. A few months ago, Daniel Hope and pianist Alexey Botvinov, who himself just left Odessa, met the composer in Berlin, his place of refuge. The violinist and pianist are now releasing a Silvestrov-only album - following a moving solidarity concert organized with C. Bechstein and widely acclaimed. The album features the world premiere of Pastorales 2020 and a selection of pieces from the 2000s. An album that moves to tears!

It was recorded for Deutsche Grammophon on a C. Bechstein D282 in April 2022 at Schloss Elmau.

Beethoven: The 5 Piano Concertos

Artur Pizarro presents Beethoven's piano concertos in a very personal recording together with the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra conducted by Julia Jones. An album that should not be missed: Artur Pizarro's interpretations are praised by the international press for their clever presentation and richness of nuance. His intensive collaboration with the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra has thus resulted in an album that has overcome the obstacles of the pandemic and depicts artistic excellence.

The grandeur, power and innovation of Beethoven's piano concertos are contrasted on this recording with a selection of the composer's smaller solo pieces: Romances and Rondos, which round out the release with irresistible intimacy. Artur Pizarro is supported by the superb sound of the C. Bechstein concert grand D282, entering into a unique symbiosis with the instrument that is unmistakably audible.

The recording was made in spring and August 2021 at the Kulturzentrum Immanuel in Wuppertal as well as at the recording studio "The Spheres" in Montesilvano in Italy for Odradek Records.

Johann Sebastian Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier I

Befitting the 300th anniversary of the completion of the Well-Tempered Clavier I by Johann Sebastian Bach, a new recording of this monumental work by German pianist Schagajegh Nosrati is released. Her aim is not to artificialize this work, to add her own flavor, but to let the music speak for itself. She succeeds in doing this extraordinarily well. All voices are exquisitely crafted and each prelude and fugue become unique works of art under her fingers.

The recording was made in April 2021 in the Pierre Boulez Hall in Berlin on a C. Bechstein concert grand D282.

Licht in der Nacht: Coline Dutilleul, Kunal Lahiry

This programme of music from the roots of modern music (1896-1914) combines fascinating works of French impressionism and German expressionism. It is intended to build a bridge between the two worlds and seeks to highlight what they have in common: their voluptuous and almost decadent sensuality. Mezzo-soprano Coline Dutilleul and pianist Kunal Lahiry fuse into one musical entity and meticulously create fascinating soundscapes that sweep the listener off their feet. The C. Bechstein concert grand D282 once again proves to be an excellent companion to chamber music of this kind. a big recommendation!

The album was recorded in September 2021 at the Ölbergkirche recording studio in Berlin for the Fuga Libera label.

Myriam Barbaux-Cohen: Mel Bonis

Mel Bonis, one of the first women to study composition in Paris, where she was a fellow student with Claude Debussy, experienced an impressively eventful life as a mother and artist, wife and lover, in times of turmoil and war. All this is reflected in her multifaceted œuvre. French pianist Myriam Barbaux-Cohen has selected masterpieces by this fascinating composer for her new album, and sensitively and brilliantly narrates Mel Bonis' musical development in chronological order.

The highly romantic music is a true pleasure to listen to, excellently performed by Myriam Barbaux-Cohen on the C. Bechstein concert grand D282. Pizzicato magazine writes: "Myriam Barbaux-Cohen succeeds just as well in interpreting the charming pieces as the somewhat somber ones - La Cathrédale Vlessée, for example - in an atmospheric way. With a fine, clear touch, and nuances in both colors and dynamics, the pianist is able to keep the listener's interest throughout the entire program."

The album was recorded in January 2022 at the Kulturzentrum Immanuel in Wuppertal for the Ars Productions label.

Mirabelle Kajenjeri: Étincelles

"Étincelles" - sparkles - presents music that has shaped Mirabelle Kajenjeri's musical path. Each work in it is meant to release a singular brilliance, be it from passion, bright felicity or cosmic jubilation. Mirabelle Kajenjeri succeeds admirably in drawing an arch from the powerful Appassionata by Beethoven via Scriabin's crazy 5th Sonata to Victor Macedo Pinto's Sonata in C major. Supported by the colors of the C. Bechstein concert grand D282, the young pianist is able to fully flesh out these works in all their complexity.

The album was recorded in March 2022 at the Ölbergkirche recording studio in Berlin for the KNS Classical label.