News
Camiel Boomsma's new album OUT NOW!
11-09-2019
Music has an inside, where one can find the essence. On this new album, Camiel Boomsma approaches every piece from this vision. He looks for the deepest, the invisible, the elusive - the innermost side of music. Pieces by Liszt and Schubert are coupled searching for a poetic dialogue of discretion and passion. Liszt’s music is like an unspoiled landscape. It’s raw, fragile, strong, uncontrolled, poetic and paradoxical. One of the very first works Camiel discovered was Vallee d’Obermann. When he ...
Read moreNino Gvetadze's album Visions- works by Cyril Scott
11-09-2019
Pianist Nino Gvetadze has been fascinated by the English composer Cyril Scott since she studied music in Tbilisi, and always had the idea that she would dive deeper into his music when she got the chance. That time is now, because with this new album she has given him a fantastic and unforgettable hommage. Let the Scott revival be a fact starting today! Composer Cyril Scott, has been described by Eugene Goossens as "the father of modern British music". He was admired ...
Read moreNew symphonic live album by Philippe Elan and Residentie Orkest conducted by Jurjen Hempel
24-07-2019
We are happy and proud to announce that we will release the new symphonic live album by Philippe Elan and Residentie Orkest conducted by Jurjen Hempel. The new album will be released on the 1st of November! More info to follow soon. Photo: RWFF/Rene Wouters Fotografie & Film
Read moreCharlotte Haesen en Philip Breidenbach will release their EP on May 17!
19-04-2019
Singer Charlotte Haesen and guitarist Philip Breidenbach take the audience on a journey. In 'Autour du monde' the duo moves through different music styles with impressive virtuosity and playful ease. They skillfully combine original compositions and their own arrangements from well-known pieces to a timeless repertoire full of stories and emotions. On their new EP 'Autour du monde', the Dutch-French-Burundian singer Charlotte Haesen sings in four different languages. Together Charlotte and Philip talk about the struggle to find yourself (Wie ik ...
Read moreHappy Birthday, Sigiswald Kuijken!
03-04-2019
Sigiswald Kuijken has turned 75! He and his ensemble La Petite Bande will be playing the Matthaus Passion in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, April 9th. On March 20th, Sigiswald was on Kunststof, a program on the Dutch radio 1. Listen to this broadcast here (in Dutch) Coming Sunday, April 7th, Sigiswald and his La Petite Bande will be live on Dutch television with Podium Witteman (18.10h - 19.10h, NPO 2).
Read moreIn memoriam Chris Ellis (1928-2019)
18-01-2019
Sad to announce that pioneer record producer, co-founder of Challenge Records, jazz classicist and singer Chris Ellis passed away in Hilversum (NL) near Amsterdam at the age of 90 this week. He was a big inspiration to us and he shall be missed! ELLIS, CHRISTOPHER REGINALD (CHRIS) was the son of Myrtle Roberts (formerly Ellis nee Orchard) and stepson of Trevor Victor Roberts. Chris Ellis was educated at Shrewsbury’s Larcastrian School and Technical College and after army service worked in various local clerical ...
Read moreChallenge Records official curator for Apple Music!
21-12-2018
We are proud to announce that Challenge Records is now an official curator for Apple Music! Our curator page has been launched with already over ten playlists. ‘New Jazz Releases’ and ‘New Releases’ will be regularly updated with our newest releases for both Challenge Records and Challenge Classics. Our other playlists are based on moods, genres and instruments, such as 'Winter', 'Christmas', ‘Famous String Quartets’, ‘The Joy of Summer’ and ‘Classic Russia’. More playlists will be added! We want to share the ...
Read moreThe spirit of Christmas is here again!
14-12-2018
The spirit of Christmas is here again! And pianist Valentina Tóth gives us a very special musical gift. She sings the words of a well known Hungarian Christmas song which composer Ernő Dohnányi used in his 'Pastorale on a Hungarian Christmas Song' and she plays the piece as well! So we can enjoy Valentina playing AND singing. Happy Christmas! Watch the video through this link. Video edit and camera by Valentine Laout Recorded at Pauluskerk in Aldtsjerk Galerie Bloemrijk Vertrouwen in Aldtsjerk. Paintings by Arthur Artos
Read moreThis week on NPO Radio 4 in Passaggio in their window, the new album of Aventure
04-12-2018
This week on NPO Radio 4 in Passaggio in their window, the new album 'Totdat de wachter heeft gezongen' of Aventure - ensemble voor middeleeuwse muziek! Medieval music is like archeology, carefully reconstructed and also the imagination can do its magic! You can listen to this through this link.
Read moreIsabelle van Keulen - two concerts in The Netherlands in January 2019
30-11-2018
In January, Isabelle van Keulen will give two concerts in The Netherlands! She will perform Martinu and Brahms string quintets together with the Prazak quartet. 9 January 2019 | Philharmonie Haarlem | More information 11 Januari 2019 | Muziekgebouw Eindhoven | More information Last month, we released a new album by Isabelle van Keulen. With this release - one of Challenge Classics highlights of 2018 - Isabelle van Keulen proves once again her skill and musical insight both as a violinist and as a violist. This ...
Read moreTonight: Aventure @ Opium
07-11-2018
Tonight, Wednesday 7 November, Aventure will play on Opium Radio (22:30 - 00:00). The show will be broadcasted live from VondelCS, Vondelpark in Amsterdam. You can listen to this show through this link. About the new album (will be released on November 9th) The poems and songs of the Gruuthuse Manuscript originated in Bruges around 1400, and the collection is named after the later owner, Lodewijk van Gruuthuse. The songs form the most well-known part of the collection: love songs, bawdy songs and drinking ...
Read moreOur Edison 2018 winners!
07-11-2018The winners of Edison Classical 2018 are announced! These prestigious prizes go to albums of a special quality. This Sunday, November 11, some of the Edisons will be handed out during the live broadcast of Podium Witteman on NPO2. We proudly present the winners of our distribution labels: The Debut Laura van der Heijden (Prokofiev/Shaporin e.a. – Russian works for cello and piano) – New Arts International, Champs Hill Records Jury: "It is not often that a 21-year-old music student is awarded with ...
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This Friday: Foyle-Štšura Duo live at Opium
06-11-2018
This Friday, Friday 9 November, Foyle-Štšura Duo will play on Opium Radio (22:30 - 00:00). The show will be broadcasted live from VondelCS, Vondelpark in Amsterdam. You can listen to this show through this link. About the new album (will be released on November 11th) Created in the depth of morbidity, Debussy’s parting musical gift is a subtle, dignified and heroic celebration of youth and joie de vivre. A sense of patriotism in the war years links Debussy with the foremost Moravian composer of ...
Read moreGOLDBRUN Gesamtkunstwerk in Museum De Fundatie of Honing/Van der Linden
23-05-2018
Yuri Honing has won a prestigious Edison Jazz Award 2018 which will be handed out to him in LantarenVenster in Rotterdam on July 6th 2018 for his album 'Goldbrun' together with his Acoustic Quartet. As a follow-up of the album he has set up a presentation in one of the museum halls of Museum De Fundatie in Zwolle together with Mariecke van der Linden. The opening of this presentation will be on September 22nd. In the hall one can see and ...
Read moreNew album and tour by Eric Vloeimans
26-01-2018
Just released: The album Levanter by trumpet player Eric Vloeimans, clarinettist Kinan Azmeh and pianist Jeroen van Vliet. Levanter is the new album by trumpet player Eric Vloeimans. The title refers to the warm, strong, eastern wind that regularly blows accross southern Europe. Eric invited the Syrian clarinet virtuoso Kinan Azmeh for this project. The two met some years ago on an 'Imagining Europe' collaboration. Jeroen van Vliet, Boy Edgar winner of 2014, with whom Eric has been performing for more than ...
Read moreConductor Ton Koopman wins Edison Classical Oeuvre Award
07-11-2017
Congratulations conductor Ton Koopman for winning the Edison Klassiek Oeuvre Award! On November 19th Koopman has received the award in the Dutch TV show Podium Witteman. Head of the jury Mischa Spel: "Conductor, harpsichord player and organ player Ton Koopman (73) is a boiling source of knowledge of and enthusiasm for music. [...] Koopman is music, in the flesh! You see it in the way he conducts: rocking, breathing and experiencing every note." On November 24th a new album of Koopman will be released together with the Amsterdam Baroque ...
Read moreThree Edison Classical nominations for Challenge Classics
13-10-2017
The Edison Nominations have been announced. Dutch pianist Hannes Minnaar has been nominated for the Edison Audience Award with his Gabriel Faure album. You can vote for this album: here Furthermore horn player Rob van de Laar has been nominated in the Category ' The Debut' with his album 'Heartfelt' and conductor James Gaffigan and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra in the Category 'The Orchestra' for the album with Prokofiev's Symphonies 1 & 5.
Read moreJan Willem de Vriend will be the new Premier Chef Invité of the Orchestre National de Lille
13-09-2017
For the next three years, Jan Willem de Vriend will take the position as the Principal Guest Conductor of the Orchestre National de Lille; an orchestra which according to De Vriend is not only unique by itself, but also has a unique audience and a unique concert hall. He will be leading the orchestra along with the principal conductor Alexandre Bloch. De Vriend made his debut at the orchestra last season, and he instantly knew how to win over the hearts ...
Read moreLinus Roth wins ECHO Klassik 2017
28-07-2017
Yesterday the Deutsche Phono-Akademie announced violinist Linus Roth as the winner of the ECHO Klassik 2017 in the category “Konzerteinspielung 19. Jahrhundert” ("Concerto recording 19th century"). He receives the award for his album of the Violin Concertos by Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky with the London Symphony Orchestra under the conductor Thomas Sanderling, released on Challenge Classics. This years´ glamorous ECHO Klassik Gala evening will take place on October 29th in the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg. This album is one of many Linus Roth ...
Read moreBeethoven's Third Piano Concerto also separately available on one cd
16-06-2017
Of course you have spotted it already: the new 3-cd box with the complete piano concertos of Ludwig van Beethoven performed by pianist Hannes Minnaar, the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra and conductor Jan Willem de Vriend. The only thing that was missing, after the first two albums in this series, was the Third Piano Concerto, and now the recordings are complete and put together in a fine box, but the concerto is also available separately! Because of circumstances the production of this ...
Read moreDebut album ''Interchange'' by the Floris Kappeyne Trio
02-06-2017
We are proud to announce this young talented Dutch trio's debut album, Interchange. The album is out now! The Floris Kappeyne Trio was set up in 2015 by the pianist. In the past two years, the trio consisting of separate Prinses Christina Concours winners (2012) has made audiences smile with their witty arrangements of old jazz standards. Next to winning the Prinses Christina Concours they are winners of the Gigstarter Talent Award 2016. This prize is part of the of the yearly Red Light District Jazz ...
Read moreHannes Minnaar plays Beethoven's Five Pianoconcertos
02-06-2017Over a period of three years, pianist Hannes Minnaar recorded all five of Ludwig van Beethoven's piano concertos together with The Netherlands Symphony Orchestra led by Jan Willem de Vriend. So far, two single volumes had been issued: one including Concertos Nos. 4 & 5, which was acclaimed by Gramophone as: "beginning a Beethoven cycle with the Fourth and Fifth Concertos is a bold move but one that pays off in all sorts of ways", and one volume including Concertos ...
Read moreWagner's overwhelming final opera available on BluRay and DVD
23-05-2017
Pierre Audi's setting of Parsifal is undoubtedly the pinnacle of his series of Wagner operas with the Dutch National Opera. A cast of top soloists, accompanied by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra led by Iván Fischer, presents the story of Parsifal's quest for the holy grail. This production, which is a collaboration between Audi and the renowned artist Anish Kapoor, had its premiere in 2012, and after a successful reprise in 2016 the video registration of this enthralling opera is now ...
Read moreAlbum release tour Holland, April 2017 Tokyo’s Bad Boys
08-03-2017
In 2015 it was Joris’s turn to invite the Japanese saxophonist for concerts in Holland and Belgium, ‘a bombardment of speed, technique, emotion and surprise’, according to Jazznu. Shortly after these concerts Joris travelled to Japan again to go into a recording studio with a ‘dream team” from Tokyo. The album TOKYO’S BAD BOYS, released in September 2016 on the Challenge Records label, was received with enthusiasm and was followed by an extensive tour in Japan. Now is the time for ...
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Joost Lijbaart, Sanne Rambags and Bram Stadhouders: 'Under the Surface'
08-03-2017
In Under the Surface drummer Joost Lijbaart, singer Sanne Rambags and gitarist Bram Stadhouders search for the sound behind silence, in 11 improvisations resulting in a breathtaking meditative sound world! Concerts of the trio will be in Amsterdam on March 17 in Orgelpark, in Tilburg on March 26 in Nootstop and Eindhoven in Muziekgebouw Eindhoven on April 8 at the Blue Note Club sessions.
Read moreNew Music Friday with Trichotomy!
10-02-2017
Trichotomy - Known-Unknown The Australian trio Trichotomy returns with The Known and the Unknown on Challenge Records. In a distinct step into new territory electronic sounds merge with acoustic improvisations, while the complexity of their compositions and group improvisations are balanced by graceful melodies and rich harmonies. Vivid and bright, it is compelling listening. Inspired by a diverse range of influences from Aphex Twin to Vijay Iyer, and Tortoise to The Bad Plus, Trichotomy’s music combines a dense rhythmic focus with the melodic clarity ...
Read more''Luck Child'' by Fay Claassen
12-01-2017
With the album Luck Child a long-standing wish of jazz singer Fay Claassen is fulfilled. It is an ode to youth and beauty with a mix of old and new songs. This compilation album consists mostly of songs that she has been singing for many years but never recorded before. Famous and beloved songs by like Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Burt Bacharach and Ennio Morricone are presented alongside new compositions by Paul Heller. On her 8th solo album Fay Claassen again touches ...
Read moreA heartfelt interview with Rob van de Laar and Thomas Beijer
28-12-2016
Rob van de Laar, is the Principal Horn of the Mozarteum Salzburg. As a soloist first disc, he chose the great music of the German Romanticism for Horn. Brahms’ Trio was composed in 1865, during a peaceful summer at Clara Schumann’s house in the Black Forest. The album is available now and Rob van de Laar and pianist Thomas Beijergave a heartfelt interview about this beautiful debut album on Challenge Classics: here The Adagio and Allegro by Schumann was composed in ...
Read moreEsther Apituley nominated!
15-12-2016
Esther Apituley, the ambassador of the Viola, is nominated with her album: Stirring stills: Bach for Viola for Bach album of 2016 by Concertzender Nederland!
Read moreRima Khcheich - Washwishni CD Release Tour
21-11-2016
After five successful albums combining classical repertoire with contemporary music she now recorded her latest album Washwishni with fifteen newly composed songs. She wrote most of the songs in collaboration with Lebanese artist and director Rabih Mroué and some of the compositions were specially written for her by Egyptian composer Fouad Abdel Majeed. The songs form an almost satirical comment on the concerns of the younger Arab generation such as immigration,religion, revolution and love. Tour dates: Vrijdag 25 november // 20:30 // Amsterdam, de ...
Read moreAn interview with Ton Koopman about the Handel Cantata HWV 171a
16-11-2016In this video Ton Koopman is interviewed about his world premiere recording of Handel's Cantata “Tu fedel? tu costante?” HWV171a. This is a rediscovered Handel Cantata! Koopman tells the story of how the manuscript of this Cantata was found in his own private library. John Roberts (musicologist and Handel specialist) writes in the liner notes that come with the cd :"Lost music from Handel’s years in Italy rarely comes to light. So it was with considerable excitement that in 2015 I ...
Read moreAn interview with Ton Koopman about the Handel Cantata HWV 171a
16-11-2016
In this video Ton Koopman is interviewed about his world premiere recording of Handel's Cantata “Tu fedel? tu costante?” HWV171a. This is a rediscovered Handel Cantata! Koopman tells the story of how the manuscript of this Cantata was found in his own private library. John Roberts (musicologist and Handel specialist) writes in the liner notes that come with the cd :"Lost music from Handel’s years in Italy rarely comes to light. So it was with considerable excitement that in 2015 I ...
Read moreAn interview with Ton Koopman about the Handel Cantata HWV 171a
16-11-2016
In this video Ton Koopman is interviewed about his world premiere recording of Handel's Cantata “Tu fedel? tu costante?” HWV171a. This is a rediscovered Handel Cantata! Koopman tells the story of how the manuscript of this Cantata was found in his own private library. John Roberts (musicologist and Handel specialist) writes in the liner notes that come with the cd :"Lost music from Handel’s years in Italy rarely comes to light. So it was with considerable excitement that in 2015 I ...
Read moreLiza Ferschtman in love with Mendelssohn
04-11-2016
The amazing violinist Liza Ferschtman started a project to make here dream come true! Together wiht Het Gelders Orkest she wants to record the amazing Violin concerto by Mendelsohnn. Crowd About Now, The Project Liza Ferschtman
Read moreJoris Posthumus Group Japan Tour
31-10-2016
Joris Posthumus is on his way to Japan! He will tour Japan with his amazing group! 03 Nov - Pit Inn, Shinjuku, Tokyo 04 Nov - Up's, Koga Ibaraki 05 Nov - FM Kitakata - Live Space, Fukushima, Japan 06 Nov - Clipper, Chiba-minato, Chiba 07 Nov - Lovely, Nagoya Aichi 08 Nov - Always, Umeda, Osaka 09 Nov - Mahoroza,Machida,Tokyo 13 Nov - Okinawa JAZZ Festival 2016, Japan 14 Nov - Cloud9, Narita, Chiba 15 Nov - Studio WUU, Kashiwa, Shiba 16 Nov - JZ Brat, Shibuya, Tokyo Check this link for more ...
Read moreRediscovery of the Händel cantata now available in a printed edition!
28-10-2016
The significant rediscovery of a missing cantata by George Frideric Händel is now available in a printed edition published by Bärenreiter, as well as on CD! Ton Koopman had this cantata in his private library for a number of years and it was identified by the American musicologist John H. Roberts as a different early version of the cantata “Tu fedel? tu costante?”, HWV 171. Only the first aria is identical, whilst the three remaining arias contain entirely new music. ...
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Jasper Somsen Trio - A New Episode In Life part I
21-10-2016
A Beautiful teaser video of the two upcoming albums of Jasper Somsen. Check out the video here! Clearly a perfect match, the Jasper Somsen Trio’s very first encounter ever resulted directly in two new albums in just two recording days! All new compositions, by Jasper Somsen, can be heard on the first album. On the second album the trio digs deeply into free form improvisations, sometimes ending up in a famous Jazz standard. The music is an ever intriguing and exciting exploration in ...
Read moreChallenge albums nominated for Edison Classical
19-10-2016
Three of our Challenge Classics are nominated for a Classical Edison 2016. Congratulatons to soprano Anna Lucia Richter, the Ebonit Saxophone Quartet and the Dutch National Opera/Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra! More information about the Edison Classical awards!
Read moreVote for Edison Classical Public Award
18-10-2016
From now on the audience can vote for his or her favorit nominated classical album. On sunday the 27th of November the winner will be announced. Some of the winners will receive their Edison live on dutch television at Podium Witteman on NPO 2. You can vote by clicking this link and following the steps : Edison Classical Vote
Read moreLinus Roth tells us all about his upcoming album: an inspiring video!
27-09-2016
After the intimate and at the same time very intense album with solo sonatas for violin by Weinberg, violinist Linus Roth is in a perfect flow, because he releases another new album! Again with Russian composers: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto op. 35 and Dmitri Shostakovich' Violin Concerto no.2 op. 129 which Linus Roth has recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Thomas Sanderling. In an breathtaking video Linus Roth and conductor Thomas Sanderling tell us more about their recording ...
Read moreLiza Ferschtman in concert!
15-09-2016
Liza Ferschtman in a concert this weekend on a baroque violin for the first time (!) together with Ton Koopman and the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir at the Bachfestival Dordrecht, September 17th in the Augustijnenkerk
Read moreBruckner Box by Jaap van Zweden
08-09-2016
With the recordings of Bruckner Symphonies in the past years, conductor Jaap van Zweden and the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra expect a tidal wave of positive reviews and reactions worldwide. How beautiful for Challenge Classics to bring together all these shots in an 11 CD Box set of all 9 masterpieces. A superb new milestone in our catalog, which is certainly the reference recording for all lovers of the genre!
Read moreHannes Minnaar wins De Nederlandse Muziekprijs!
22-08-2016
Pianist Hannes Minnaar wins De Nederlandse Muziekprijs. On October 1st Minnaar will receive DNM in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam during a concert in the NTR Zaterdagmatinee. The Dutch music prize is the highest award made by the performing arts Fund, on behalf of the Minister of education, culture and science, to young talented musicians. His new, upcoming album 'Piano Music', with music of Gabriel Fauré, will be released 30th of September.
Read moreAlbum Teaser Inventions & Variations by Marc van Roon
19-08-2016
A teaser for Inventions & Variations by Marc van Roon! His amazing album will set sail on the 9th of September. Here's a first listen to the album: Inventions & Variations by Marc van Roon. For more information about Marc van Roon you can click here.
Read moreAlbum teaser Tokyo's Bad Boys by Joris Posthumus Group
01-08-2016
A teaser for Tokyo's Bad Boys by Joris Posthumus Group! Their amazing album will set sail on the 9th of September. Here's a first listen to the album: Tokyo's Bad Boys by Joris Posthumus Group. Check out this website for more information!
Read moreChallenge artists at North Sea Jazz 2016
06-07-2016
We are ready to enjoy a new edition of the festival and so are our artists! Tineke Postma Last year she received the Boy Edgar Award and a tour followed. At North Sea she will play on the Friday with Jasper van 't Hof and on Sunday she plays in the Codarts Bigband, but also after the festival she will be a busy lady! Because more concerts will follow for instance in August: Jazz Middelheim and in the Concertgebouw withTutu Puoane and ...
Read moreAngela Brownridge's youthful technical virtuosity
23-06-2016
A free-lance and highly respected music critic in the USA, Alice Artzt, who wrote for the former and famous magazine the Absolute Sound Magazine of America, wrote a very postive review about Angela Brownridge's Beethoven album, which we would love to share with you: This new Beethoven disc by the wonderful pianist Angela Brownridge is absolutely superb. She plays with a combination of amazing sublety and dynamic control right down to very nuanced pianissimos, paired with a ferocious strength and lightning ...
Read moreLisa Jacobs' own festival Leiden LIFE and new album!
22-06-2016
Violinist Lisa Jacobs will start this year with her own two-day festival called 'Leiden LIFE', which willstart on June 23rd.On the second day of the festival Lisa will, with her string ensemble The String Soloists present her new album L'Arte del Violino with music of Pietro Antonio Locatelli in a concert in the St. Pieterskerk in Leiden (church doors are open 17.00 hours, concert starts at 17.30 hours). For tickets for this and other festival concerts go to the website of ...
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Tickets for the Edisons Jazz awards coming Friday, in Rotterdam!
22-06-2016
Vrijdag is het zo ver, dan treedt een aantal gloednieuwe winnaars op met ‘Oeuvreprijswinnaar’ het Metropole Orkest onder leiding van dirigent Vince Mendoza. In ieder geval is de winnaar Jazz Vocaal, de Amerikaanse Cécile McLorin Salvant, aanwezig om de Edison in ontvangst te nemen en natuurlijk te laten horen dat dit welverdiend is. Ook talent van eigen bodem, onze eigen 'Challenge topper' Yuri Honing en zijn Acoustic Quartet treden op en krijgen het felbegeerde beeldje. Wie de Edison Jazzism Publieksprijs mee gaat nemen blijft nog even ...
Read moreLinus Roth - the continuing thrilling story of Mieczysław Weinberg
08-06-2016
This is the story of a composer who has regained his position in the history of music: the Russian composer of Polish-Jewish birth Mieczysław Weinberg (1919 – 1996). His music and his name can stand proudly beside his friend and colleague Shostakovich and the fact that it does ring a bell now, has much to do with the efforts and dedication of violinist Linus Roth. He brought so much musical gems of Weinberg to the surface for the world to enjoy. ...
Read moreNew album by The Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw joined by Dr Lonnie Smith!
08-04-2016
The Jazz Orchestra of the Concert-gebouw, the JOC, is used to working with famous soloists originating from different directions in the industry. These soloists bring their own repertoire, that is being arranged, prepped and performed in no time. In 2010, on a Thursdaynight in February, a unique concert took place in the Amsterdamse Bimhuis. Together with a living legends, whose name is pronounced with awe by musicians and audience. Dr. Lonnie Smith gave acte de présence, a culthero, who played ...
Read moreCappella Pratensis on tour with Nederlands Kamerkoor - concert tickets with discount
30-03-2016
April 2016, Cappella Pratensis and the Nederlands Kamerkoor will perform together throughout the Netherlands. They will sing the world premiere of Missa Unitatis composed by Antony Pitts (1969). In the context of Hieronymus Bosch’ 500th Anniversary the Missa Unitatis by Antony Pitts was commissioned by the Illustrious Brotherhood of Our Blessed Lady, a brotherhood that also had Hieronymus Bosch as a member. The following short video, with a small piece of the enchanting music of Missa Unitatis and some inspirational words by Anthony ...
Read moreEaster at Challenge Records
26-03-2016
Because it is almost easter we composed an great playlist on Spotify and a special Easter Store with the most beautiful music. This playlist and store contains the following albums: Bach: Johannes Passion, BWV 245 - La Petite Bande / Sigiswald Kuijken Haydn: The seven last words of Christ - version for string quartet and voice - Henschel Quartett / Susanne Kelling Bach: Matthäus Passion - Ton Koopman / The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir Bach: Matthäus Passion - Jan Willem de Vriend / The ...
Read moreWorld premier: new cantata of Händel by Ton Koopman in Concertgebouw Amsterdam
22-03-2016
On April 9th, Ton Koopman will give a world premier concert of a, up until now, unknown cantata by Händel in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam! It is an earlier version of ‘Tu fedel? Tu costante?’, HWV 171 but differs distinctively. The concert will take place in the Zaterdagmiddagmatinee series. This piece will, of course, later on be recorded on CD and released on Challenge Classics! The unknown cantata was discovered in a manuscript in the private collection of conductor, organ player, ...
Read moreAlbum Teaser BlueZzin T'il Dawn by Natalia M. King
03-03-2016
A teaser for BlueZzin T'il Dawn by Natalia M. King! Her amazing album will set sail on the 8th of April. Here's a first listen to the album: Natalia M. King - BlueZzin T'il Dawn
Read moreTV show Tiende van Tijl finalist at New York Festivals Awards!
02-03-2016
We want to congratulate De Tiende van Tijl and our great pianist Valentina Tóth ! The TV Show is nominated in the finale of New York Festivals World's Best TV & Films. Valentina played an important part in the series, so we are proud of her!
Read moreRelease concert Marutyri, Thursday 7th of April
29-02-2016
After performances on BIRDs Homegrown and BIRDsessions it's time for the real work. This evening presents eight piece band Marutyri a new album, Inner Movements. Eight friends from Rotterdam shared a passion for fusion and jazz music and decided to do something with it: The band Marytyri was born. All eight men have played with both national and international artists. It has their inspired to scramble their own styles. The result is a mix of funk, fusion, jazz and R&B Inner Movements is ...
Read moreRobin Verheyen wins Klara award for best Jazz album 2015!
09-02-2016
We want to congratulate Robin Verheyen with winning a Klara award for best Jazz cd of the year! The artistic multi talented saxophonist and composer Robin Verheyen did quite some interesting things last year. He released an album: 'A Look Beyond' on Challenge Records which he recorded in 2014 with Russ Johnsen, trumpet, Drew Gress, bass and Jeff Davis, percussion. Robin Verheyen was inspired by his stay in Senegal (Cap-Vert Dakar) and by the studying the work of the French composer Olivier Messiaen. The ...
Read moreDutch maestro Jaap van Zweden appointed as conductor in New York
29-01-2016
You must have heard the good news! The New York Philharmonic announced this week that Dutch conductor, Jaap van Zweden is their new Music Director – effective from the commencement of the 2018/19 season. This makes us very happy and proud. “Having experienced his passionate and dynamic artistry with the New York Philharmonic over four appearances in the last four years, I believe Jaap van Zweden is not only a logical choice for the Philharmonic’s next Music Director, but an incredibly ...
Read moreVanBinsbergen Playstation's Debut Album Out Now!
18-01-2016
In March 2014 these musicians met for the first time during the BrokkenBal, the yearly concert I organize with writers at the Amsterdam Bimhuis. From the first rehearsal on, the horns blended, the rhythm section was steaming and we all felt immediately this was a perfect match; a year later we had our first concert as VANBINSBERGEN PLAYSTATION! This dynamic live CD is recorded during our first two concerts.
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(New) Talent gets a chance via CROWDFUNDING
18-01-2016
At Challenge Records International we are always looking for great new talent and the opportunity to explore and create new music. We have two artists who really want to start recording a brand new album, one of them a brand new edition to Challenge, and we support this action! Cappella Pratensis started their campaign at the beginning of January and are already turning to 4000,- euro's! Thanks to all the supporters for getting the ball rolling. In the case of funding via ...
Read moreHannes Minnaar on tour with Beethoven!
26-11-2015
Hannes Minnaar is playing the Beethoven pianoconcertos nos. 2 & 3 the coming days and weeks with the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra (HET Orkest) and Philharmonie Zuidnederland. Checkout the dates: 26 NOVEMBER 2015 RHENEN, CUNERAKERK 20:15 Beethoven Pianoconcert nr. 3 HET Symfonieorkest/Jan Willem de Vriend meer informatie 27 NOVEMBER 2015 UTRECHT, TIVOLIVREDENBURG 20:15 Beethoven Pianoconcert nr. 3 HET Symfonieorkest/Jan Willem de Vriend meer informatie 29 NOVEMBER 2015 AMSTERDAM, CONCERTGEBOUW 11:00 Beethoven Pianoconcert nr. 3 HET Symfonieorkest/Jan Willem de Vriend meer informatie 10 DECEMBER 2015 EINDHOVEN, MUZIEKGEBOUW 20:15 Beethoven Pianoconcert nr. 2 philharmonie zuidnederland/Jamie Phillips meer informatie 11 DECEMBER 2015 ...
Read moreFriday November 27th BLACK FRIDAY at Challenge Records!
20-11-2015
This Friday November 27th, we will be celebrating Black Friday again! Be prepared to get an enormous amount of discount on all your favorite Challenge titles. Looking for a nice present for a loved one or perhaps yourself? Browse through all Challenge Records released titles and find the one you want. We will be giving 30% discount on ALL PRODUCTS of the following labels (click on the names to see the catalogues): Challenge Classics Challenge Records Challenge Jazz CuGate Classics Double Moon Records Buzz Retrieval Between the Lines V-Flow Daybreak Andrey Klemm ...
Read moreWonderful reviews for Starman!
12-11-2015
On October 13th, the new Sven Ratzke's album "Starman" was released and we've been collecting reviews ever since! Here are a few of the best press appearances we've been gathering the last few weeks.
Read moreIsabelle van Keulen en Hannes Minnaar in concert: Beethoven Sonata cycle!
03-11-2015
All the Beethoven Sonatas for Piano and Violin performed by Isabelle van Keulen and Hannes Minnaar in a three concert cycle this season in the Haarlem Philharmonie! Thursday November 5th the first concert in the series! In this first concert of the cycle the Sonatas for Violin and Piano nos. 1,5 & 7 will be played Thusrday November 5: 20.15 hours in the Philharmonie (Kleine Zaal) in Haarlem. The next concerts in this series will be this season: February 26th: Sonatas for Violin and ...
Read moreOctober 18th Simone Lamsma Podium Witteman
16-10-2015
The new album by Simone Lamsma and Robert Kulek with works by Schumann, Mendelssohn and Janáček will be presented at the concert in the Muziekgebouw aan het IJ in Amsterdam, October 24th. The day after that, Simone will give a special kidsconcert (8 ) about the violin also in the Muziekgebouw. In planning this debut album, it was important to both Simone Lamsma and Robert Kulek that they were passionate about the repertoire they chose to record. They also wanted to seize the opportunity to include substantial, but lesser played, ...
Read moreFiery, intimate and grand: the new album of the Isabelle van Keulen Ensemble 'Grand Tango!'
13-10-2015
The second tango album of the Isabelle van Keulen Ensemble is here! The album is exactly as its title suggests: it is grand! Of course this title points directly to Le Grand Tango by Piazzolla, for which bandoneon player Christian Gerber made a special and beautiful arrangement for the line up of bandoneon, violin, piano and double bass. Since the formation of the ensemble and the release of the first album in 2013, the Isabelle van Keulen Ensemble made several international ...
Read moreFay Claassen - Live at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw
01-10-2015
When asked who would be the successor to her throne, the world renowned jazz vocalist Rita Reys always pointed out Fay Claassen as the only Dutch vocalist who would be able to fill her elegantly swinging shoes. Those who know that Rita Reys was once honored with the title ‘Europe’s First Lady of Jazz’ at the prestigious 1960 Juan-les-Pins Jazz Festival will realize just how important Reys’ kind words have been to a young singer like Fay Claassen. So it ...
Read moreThree Edison Jazz Audience Award Nominees!
11-09-2015
Yuri Honing, Mike del Ferro & Tineke Postma are nominated for an Edison Jazz Audience Award this year! Voting for an Edison Jazz Audience Awards can be done from 11 September 2015 until 1 October 2015. Please use this link to vote for you favorite artist. Vote here!
Read moreHappy Birthday Arvo Pärt - a special single by Goeyvaerts Stringtrio
09-09-2015
On September 11th Arvo Pärt turns 80! A magnificent age for the greatest composer alive today! Especially for this lovely occassion the Goeyvaerts String Trio recorded a single, which will be released on September 11th. The proceeds of this single will be used for a very good cause: Musicfund! Goeyvaerts String Trio was awarded with a prestigious Edison Award last year, together with the singers Zsuzsi Tóth, Barnabás Hegyi and Olivier Berten, for their recording of Stabat Mater by Arvo Pärt and ...
Read moreJan van Duikeren returns to Japan
03-09-2015
'Muziekvrienden', music friends, that's how trumpet player Jan van Duikeren puts his relationship to drummer John Engels. Their chemistry lead to the establishment of the quartet JvD4 in 2015. Even before the recording of 'Dear John' started, in June of this year, the quartet was invited to play at Tokyo Jazz on September 6. Afterwards, they will play at a Dutch Jazz Night in Tokyo on September 8 and close the tour on September 12 at the Hiroshima Museum of Art. Jan ...
Read morePodium on Tour with Isabelle van Keulen and Hannes Minnaar at Wonderfeel!
17-07-2015
The television show Podium on Tour with presentor Dieuwertje Blok was present on the first edition of the Wonderfeel Festival in 's-Graveland in the Netherlands. The festival is located in the middle of nature and the program is for all ages! On the first day of the festival, on July 24th, also Radio 4 was present the whole day to interview musicians and visitor's and broadcast live concerts. Isabelle van Keulen and Hannes Minnaar did several concerts on this festival ...
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Dutch cellist Mayke Rademakers' debut on Challenge Classics!
07-07-2015
Dutch cellist Mayke Rademakers makes her debut Challenge Classics today with the re-release of her latest album with Cello Suites (before on the label Quintone)! And this is only the beginning because Challenge Classics is happy to be able to plan future projects with Mayke. Her next album, which will be called 'La Furia' is scheduled for February/March 2016! Mayke is a serious and powerful musician, who has been working hard for years now in a very modest way. Just because ...
Read moreSaxophonist, composer and band leader Tineke Postma wins the Buma Boy Edgarprijs 2015
26-06-2015
The Buma Boy Edgarprijs, the most important Dutch prize for jazz and improvised music, has been awarded to saxophonist, composer and band leader Tineke Postma. As part of the prize, Postma will curate a concert night at the Bimhuis on December 9, 2015. During that occasion she will be presented with the award, consisting of a sum of €12,500 and a sculpture made by Jan Wolkers. That concert night in December will be broadcast on national radio VPRO www.radio6.nl and tonight she ...
Read moreTon Koopman on tour in the Netherlands, Spain and France!
24-06-2015
Ton Koopman starts the summer with a small organ concert tour in the Netherlands and after that he is off to Barcelona and France for more concerts! This is his schedule: 30 | 06 | 2015 20:00 Bolsward (NL): Organ concert with Tini Mathot, Martinikerk 01 | 07 | 2015 Groningen (NL): Solo organ concert 03 | 07 | 2015 20:00 Oosterhout (NL): Solo organ concert, Maarschalkerweerdorgel 04 | 07 | 2015 20:00 Franeker (NL): Solo organ concert,Martinikerk 21 | 07 | 2015 19:00 Verbier (CH): Conducting Verbier Festival ...
Read moreCongratulations Henk Meutgeert! Winner of the Concertgebouw Jazz Award 2015
17-06-2015
Conducter of the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, Henk Meutgeert has won the Concertgebouw Jazz Award 2015! The award he will receive August 16th during the ‘Riffs ’n Rhythms’ concert in Amsterdam. The Concertgebouw Jazz Award is a oeuvre award for an international famous jazzmusician. The award will be handed out to the winner hisor her concertt in the Concertgebouw. Former award winners are: Bobby McFerrin (2014), Dianne Reeves (2011), Sonny Rollins (2010), Toots Thielemans (2009), Herbie Hancock (2008), Wayne Shorter ...
Read moreEric Vloeimans Oliver's Cinema single 'Fun in the Sun'
05-06-2015
Now online the video of the live performance of the SUMMER video-single of Eric Vloeimans' Oliver's Cinema at the daily TV show 'De Wereld Draait Door' (April 2015). Watch it: here About the new album, 'Act 2': Each performance of Eric Vloeimans' Oliver's Cinema will offer an evocative blend of sentiment, mood and melody. Expect a distinct, emotional clarity to these virtual landscapes with a minimum of clutter and distraction, and an intriguing range of musical flavors. Some will hear jazz ...
Read more'Wartime Consolations' Linus Roth tells the story of solace
19-05-2015
Linus Roth adds a new and very moving and consoling album to his discography with music by Hartmann, Weinberg and Shostakovich. You can see the in depth video of this production here What a delight, surprise, and opportunity it must be, for a musician to find an unperformed, unrecorded, entirely or relatively unknown piece of music by a major composer, indeed by one of the Greats—Shostakovich in this case. What we have here is nothing less than Dmitri Shostakovich’s Unfinished Sonata for ...
Read moreTonight in 'De Wereld Draait Door'
13-04-2015
De Wereld Draait Door is totally about jazz tonight! The whole Dutch jazz scene is present in the show! This morning a remake was made of the famous jazz pucture ‘A Great Day in Harlem’. Photographer Merlijn Doomernik took a photo of the Dutch jazz musicians together: A Great Day in Amsterdam! Tonight there will be 50 minutes of only jazz music. Talking about jazz, playing jazz, keeping the jazz spirit alive! As far as we know there will be five important jazz ...
Read moreIsabelle van Keulen on tour with the Residentie Orchestra!
08-04-2015
Coming weekend, on April 10 & 12 in The Hague and on the 11th in Leiden, Isabelle van Keulen will tour the Netherlands with the Residentie Orchestra and conductor Christian Zacharias. She will perform Brahms' Violinconcerto.
Read moreDebuut van Aphranova, de band met een aanstekelijke mix van jazz, soul and pop!
08-04-2015
Stel je een relaxte zondagmiddag voor, thuis, in het park of op een festival. Je luistert naar de jazzy, stijlvolle en energieke muziek van Aphranova. Je herkent je in de thema's van de liedjes, de energie is voelbaar en je kan niet stil blijven zitten. Ondanks dat sommige nummers een diepere lading hebben, blijft de energie hoog en ligt het geheel makkelijk in het gehoor. Deze piepjonge band, begin dit jaar ontstaan, is er klaar voor! Aphranova is het nieuwe project van zangeres ...
Read moreTon Koopman tonight in Nooit meer slapen, Radio 1
26-03-2015
Ton Koopman is one of the guests in the Radio 1 show 'Nooit Meer Slapen' tonight at midnight 0.00 hours. Ton and his Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir give numerous concerts in the Netherlands and abroad, he is a guest conductor all over the world, plays solo harpsochord and organ, teaches at the Conservatory in The Hague and is professor at the University of Leiden. And in between all that he also finds time to record cd's! Last year turned 70, ...
Read moreLa Petite Bande's intimate Johannes Passion in the Concertgebouw
24-03-2015
'Less is more', daily paper Trouw wrote about Bach's Johannes-Passion performed by La Petite Bande and Sigiswald Kuijken. 'Less' in this case means a 'small line-up'. The eight singers perform choir as well as the solo parts and this gives enormous transparance! The result being 'more'! La Petite Bande performs in the Concertgebouw March 26th, a unique opportunity to hear this interpretation live! Buy your tickets now!
Read moreValentina Tóth tonight in Pauw NPO 1
24-03-2015
Tonight Valentina Tóth and Thorwald Jorgensen will be guests in Pauw (NPO1) together with Tijl Beckand. Valentina will be 'house pianist' the tv series 'De Tiende van Tijl' this season, starting March 26! Don't miss it.
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A chance to hear the Van Baerle Trio live: on tour in Europe!
03-03-2015
The Dutch Van Baerle Trio is on tour in Europe! Maria Milstein, Hannes Minnaar and Gideon den Herder play in the famous Concertgebouw in Amsterdam twice beginning of March and in other venues in the Netherlands and abroad. Mendelssohn of course is part of the program, the recent cd of the trio was released in October 2014 and is very popular indeed. Not only because of the magnificent playing of the trio but also because of the bonus cd: a world-première-recording ...
Read moreYuri Honing's multifaceted feelings of 'Desire'
28-01-2015
On February 21st a new album of Yuri Honing Acoustic Quartet called 'Desire' will be released! Desire is a universal feeling, which is not only compelled by love or lust, but can be reflected in death and peace too. It encircles us and draws us in - many multifaceted feelings of desire. Desire, is captured perfectly on Yuri Honing's new album of the same title. It is an instrumental opera about desire. The eight tracks reflect eight different feelings of desire. ...
Read moreStadhouders & Strootman new album 'Monasteria'
28-01-2015
With pleasure we present to you the new duo-album of Bram Stadhouders and Aart Strootman ‘Monasteria' and the presentation concert in Paradox in Tilburg! The year 2015 is still very young, but we think that with this CD on the label BUZZ we have a true treasure in our hands. Stadhouders & Strootman is a coming together of one of the most promising improvisors/guitarists of the Netherlands, Bram Stadhouders, and contemporary music pioneer Aart Strootman. Both musicians have a curiosity to each ...
Read moreJan Willem de Vriend asks 'Where is Mendelssohn?'
13-01-2015
The new volume in the Mendelssohn Symphony series on CD is accompanied by a nice video in which Jan Willem de Vriend asks the important question 'Where is Mendelssohn?' Here you can whatch the video The new CD just has been released, in the winter of 2014, and in the popular TV show De Wereld Draait Door on Dutch television, Jan Willem de Vriend has been a true advocate already for Mendelssohn. Watch it here. However, in the video that we have filmed behind ...
Read moreIsabelle van Keulen Ensemble second Tango-tour!
12-01-2015
The second part of the Isabelle van Keulen Tango-tour in the Netherlands will start on January 20th and go from Zwolle, Eindhoven, Ede, Heemstede, Oostzaan to Delft. Lots of opportunities to see them play! See the video of 'Tango!' here!
Read moreJeroen van Vliets wins Buma Boy Edgar Prize
11-12-2014
The Buma Boy Edgarprijs is widely regarded as Holland’s most prestigious award in the field of jazz and improvised music. It is awarded annually to a musician, composer or bandleader who has made significant contributions to the Dutch jazz scene over a longer period of time. Challenge Records congratulates 'our' artist Jeroen van Vliet for winning this award! We couldn't agree more with the jury: "As befits a winner, Van Vliet doesn’t only meet the required standards of the prize criteria, but also ...
Read moreGoeyvaerts String Trio wins Edison Award!
02-12-2014
The Goeyvaerts String Trio has won an Edison Award in the category Chamber music for the cd 'Stabat Mater'! Other nominees in the same category were Steven Issirlis and Quator Ebene. In the jury report we can read: "The Goeyvaerts String Trio makes Pärt’s Stabat Mater bloom as never before: crystal clear and full of overtones. Also Simeron of Ivan Moody, composed for the trio, is being played and sung in an unbelievably impressive way." The TV show on Dutch national television Vrije ...
Read moreOur Edison Award 2014 Winners!
24-11-2014
We are pleased to announce our winners of the 2014 Edison Awards: the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, the Dutch National Opera, Goeyvaerts String Trio and the Dino Saluzzi Group. Read more about our stunning musicians below: Radio Philharmonic Orchestra - CLASSICAL Oeuvre-award Last Sunday 23rd of November the Edison Foundation gave the Classical 2014 Oeuvre-award to the Radio Philharmonic Orchestra. This award aknowledges the extraordinary work they have contributed to the Dutch music scene. The Radio Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1945 by Albert van Raalte. The ...
Read moreIsabelle van Keulen Ensemble on tour
13-11-2014
The Isabelle van Keulen Ensemble is touring The Netherlands and Belgium as we speak. Tonight a concert in Antwerpen (Amuz), the 15th in Amsterdam (Noorderkerk) and the 16th in Gouda (Schouwburg). The cd 'Tango' with music of Astor Piazzolla is part of the campagin Aangenaam Klassiek 2014 and available now for a reduced prize. In 2015 the ensemble will record new pieces,some of which they also play at the concerts of their tour! Violinist Isabelle van Keulen and pianist Hannes Minnaar just ...
Read moreZondag 9 november concert Elan Mehler in TivoliVredenburg
03-11-2014
Jazz pianist en componist Elan Mehler presenteert zondag 9 november eenmalig zijn nieuwe album 'Early Sunday Morning' in Nederland. Mehler staat vooral bekend om zijn prachtige, bedachtzame en elegante composities. Mehler wordt voor deze gelegenheid bijgestaan door Chris Jennings op bas en Karsten Hochapfel op gitaar en cello. Tijdens het concert wisselt Mehler eigen werk af met jazz klassiekers zoals ‘Don’t Explain’ (Herzog/Holliday) en ‘It Never Entered My Mind’ (Rodgers/Hart). De uit Boston (USA) afkomstige pianist begon in de band van Jose James ...
Read moreAnton Goudsmit, Zapp 4 and Bram Stadhouders at November Music 2014
31-10-2014
This week November Music festival is starting again on November 5th. Anton Goudsmit will be playing with the Bad Plus on November 8th and Zapp 4 with Marc Ribot. This is the second time the festival organised this so-called 'Colours of Improvisation' where unique connections between musicans are made. So two Dutch artist/acts will climb on stge with stars from the USA. his will be a very great evening indeed! On November 9th Bram Stadhouders will be playing on NM with a ...
Read moreAvailable now, a new reference recording of Beethoven
30-10-2014
The Complete Beethoven Sonatas for Violin and Piano on 4 SACD's by Isabelle van Keulen & Hannes Minnaar is available. For a week the duo was in the studio recording the CD's and now we can present this album with huge pride. Not only because of the two star musicians excelling on these disc's, but also because we think we have in our hands what can be a new reference recording of the Beethoven Sonatas! The music sounds like new: ...
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And the Edison nominees are...
23-10-2014
On Tuesday 21st of October Stichting Edison announced the Classical Edison nominations. We are delighted with the nominations for Challenge Classics. In the catagory chamber music and the opera: - Goeyvaerts String Trio (Pärt, Moody – Stabat Matar, Simeron) - CC 72616 - De Nationale Opera o.l.v. Marc Albrecht (Trojahn – Orest) - CC 72605 - De Nationale Opera o.l.v. Marc Albrecht (Schreker – Der Schatzgräber) - CC 72591 You can read the motivations of the judges here The judges The judges of the Edisons are Mischa Spel, ...
Read moreBuxtehude Box: A milestone in the Baroque discography
23-10-2014
Dieterich Buxtehude is renowned as the most important figure of the German Baroque after J.S. Bach. A welcome tribute to such an important figure, is Ton Koopman’s Opera Omnia, featuring soloists and the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir. Also released as separate CDs, this superb collection is now available as a deluxe collector’s box! The story of 20-year-young Johann Sebastian Bach’s 400 kilometer journey by foot to hear Dietreich Buxtehude play in Lübeck, is known to most classical music fans. And it was not for nothing, ...
Read more14th of December: award ceremony of Buma Boy Edgarprijs winner Jeroen van Vliet
15-10-2014
On Sunday the 14th of December 2014 pianist and composer Jeroen van Vliet will receive the Buma Boy Edgarprijs 2014, the most important award for jazz and improvised music. Besides receiving the award, which consists of € 12.500 and a sculpture by Jan Wolkers, he composed a special program with performances of his own bands: Estafest, Trio Ogu and Sikeda. He invited some very special guests: trumpet player Eric Vloeimans, bass guitar player Carlo Mombelli (South Africa) and bas clarinet player ...
Read moreVan Baerle Trio 'CD of the Week'
14-10-2014This week on Dutch NPO Radio 4 the new CD of the Van Baerle Trio, 'Pianotrios' of Mendelssohn is CD of the Week. Maria Milstein, Hannes Minnaar and Gideon den Herder have blooming solo careers but with the trio put a strong mark on the pianotrio repertoire! They won an Edison for their debut cd in 2011 and it would not be surprising if with this new sparkling Mendelssohn interpretation the three of them will win the prestigious award again! This whole ...
Read moreChallenge Classics congratulates Ton Koopman with his birthday
03-10-2014
Ton Koopman has turned 70! A beautiful age for a man that can at least turn a 100 years old if one sees how much energy he has. There are so many things the conductor, organist and harpsichordplayer wants to do. And he does them! Now, especially for his birthday a Buxtehude Collector's Box will be released, end of October. The presentation will be in Lübeck, October 26th. This is the town where Koopman received the 'Buxtehude-Preis'. And Volume XX ...
Read moreJoris Posthumus will travel around the world for his tour in Japan and Korea!
24-09-2014
Joris Posthumus will travel to Japan and Korea for an international tour! For this he will perform together with great musicians from Japan, including his friend and colleague Yuichiro Tokudo, which he met two years ago during a tour in China with his Dutch band State of Monc. In return Yuichiro Tokuda will come to The Netherlands and Belgium next year, for a club tour with Posthumus and Dutch jazzcats. Tour: 03-10-2014 - JZBrat, Tokyo Shibuya 05-10-2014 - Jarasum International Jazz Festival, Korea 06-10-2014 - ...
Read moreVoces Intimae Piano Trio Launch Kickstarter Project With Outstanding Results
18-09-2014
Acclaimed piano trio Voces Intimae launched their first-ever Kickstarter campaign last week, with results better than one could hope for. In a little more than a week, has the Italian-based trio already raised over €3,000 with the goal to reach €7,500 in just a few more weeks. Want to be a part of this amazing project? Click here Funding will go towards making and releasing their upcoming CD recording: a very special second volume to what will be the first ever complete recording of the Robert and ...
Read moreLiza Ferschtman in the 20 year-Anniversary of the Zondag Ochtend Concert
05-09-2014For the Anniversary of 20 years of Sunday Morning Concert a special programme is created not only inside the Concertgebouw, but also outside in the open air, at the Museumplein! This will be a great musical party on Radio 4 and at the Museumplein! Liza Ferschtman likes very much the contrasts in the programme of this concert, she can show the public different sides of herself. Years ago she had her debut in the Grote Zaal of the Concertgebouw in the ...
Read moreJAZZICS! ‘An ode to Jazz from our Classical point of view’, the new album of Matangi Quartet
03-09-2014
Jazzics! is the new album of Matangi Quartet and is an ode to jazz from a classical point of view. To celebrate this brand new and special release, Matangi will present the album in Bimhuis, Amsterdam on Wednesday 10th of September. After years of collaboration with a wide variety of jazz-greats such as Eric Vloeimans, Wolfert Brederode and Michiel Braam. These collaborations have inspired and challenged Matangi to develop themselves muiscial, both as individual and as a quartet. With compositions of ...
Read moreRonald Brautigam's 60th birthday with five concerts in the Concertgebouw
27-08-2014
Ronald Brautigam will turn 60 on October 1st this year, but he is not about to take time off! On the contrary: especially for his birthday he will give five concerts of Beethoven's Piano concertos in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. On August 30th is the first of the five concerts. But that is not all: mid September a CD box will be released with all the Beethoven Sonatas on 9 SACD's followed in October by the seventh volume of the Mozart ...
Read moreGreat DISCOUNTS on albums of the performing artists on Uitmarkt, Amsterdam 2014
27-08-2014
The Uitmarkt is a vibrant three-day celebration of the Netherlands' cultural scene! It is the largest annual festival in the country, officially launching the new cultural season by showcasing the very best in music, art, theatre, dance, opera, literature and cabaret performances, including performances of Batik, Felix Schlarmann Group, Yuri Honing and Ob6essions. We now offer you a 20% discount on the Challenge Records performing artists of this cultural festival! Use the discount codes mentioned below, after entering the album to your ...
Read moreSurprise act of Toots Thielemans on Jazz Middelheim
19-08-2014
Since 1981 Toots Thielemas performed every year on Jazz Middelheim. Earlier this year Toots announced the end his performing career, which meant that this year would be the first time that Toots wouldn't perform on Jazz Middelheim since many, many years. Thankfull for all the wonderfull moments on the festival, the organisation decided to honour the great jazz legend with a special program: The Music of Toots Thielemans, where major names and musician friends of Toots were performing their favorite ...
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The Eric Ineke JazzXpress present their brand new album Cruisin'!
12-08-2014
Eric Ineke is back with his JazzXpress! Three generations of jazz cats 'swinging hard' with repertoir rooted in the hard bop tradition! On Friday 15th of August The Eric Ineke JazzXpress will present their brand new album Cruisin'! During the Robeco Summer Nights they will perform twice in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam: Friday 15th of August, 19.30hr and 21.30hr Concertgebouwplein 10, Amsterdam Presentation of the first set by Bert Vuijsje In collaboration with Amsterdam Jazz Agency Watch here the preview on YouTube The Eric Ineke JazzXpress ...
Read moreGreat reviews for the 'stimulating, challenging and atmospheric' album of Batik
07-08-2014
Headland is the first album of Batik, the group originated by Joost Lijbaart and Wolfert Brederode. For this project they were inspired by the tapestry work of Claudy Jongstra. The comparison between felt and music is all about compiling. Putting self-containd single small pieces (felt and notes) together to make a whole; "When you make felt you compile. You collect and arrange and with nothing but wool, water and abrasion a whole new fabric arises that did not exist before. ...
Read moreGoeyvaerts String Trio named 'Editor's Choice' by Gramophone Magazine!
22-07-2014
We are delighted to announce that Gramophone Magazine has selected the Goeyvaert String Trio's latest record 'Stabat Mater' as 'Editor's Choice' in their August issue! The album includes Arvo Pärt's Stabat Mater as well as a compositon titled Simeron by British composer Ivan Moody, which was commissioned by the trio. About the music Arvo Pärt and Ivan Moody have both turned to Orthodox Christianity at some point in their lives and this has permeated the work of both of them in a particular ...
Read moreNew recording of Hartmann's only completed opera already nominated!
18-07-2014
Challenge Classics is proud to present a brand new recording of Karl Amadeus Hartmann's rarely recorded opera Simplicius Simplicissimus. This recording features conductor Markus Stenz, the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, and a cast of twentieth century music specialists, including Juliane Banse in the title role. Simplicius Simplicissimus is available in beautifully packaged 2SACD format. And already this recording is nominated and appears on the longlist of the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik! A native of Munich, Karl Amadeus Hartmann (b. 1905, d. 1963) ranks ...
Read moreIsabelle van Keulen in the Netherlands for a concert in the Concertgebouw
11-07-2014
Next week, on July 16th Isabelle van Keulen will be in the Netherlands for a concert in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam with pianist Ronald Brautigam.The duo will perform Mendelssohns Concerto for violin and piano together with the Württembergisches Kammerorchester conducted by Ruben Gazarian. Ronald Brautigam has several concerts this year in the Concertgebouw for his 60th birthday this year. And Isabelle will also be playing with her quartet later this summer on the 22nd of July. The coming weekend, the 13th ...
Read moreGoeyvaerts String Trio on 'just intonation' in Pärt's Stabat Mater
08-07-2014
The Goeyvaerts String Trio explains in a new video on Youtube video the use of 'just intonation' in Arvo Pärt's Stabat Mater on their new recording: here The three members - Kristien Roels, Kris Matthyssens and Pieter Stas - have been experimenting for years with intonation. First they found out that playing the piece with vibrato did not work for them so they studied it WITHOUT vibrato. After years and years of practice they now have found a way to play ...
Read moreLiza Ferschtman in concert at De Wereld Draait Buiten
02-07-2014
The Dutch Television show "De Wereld Draait Door" goes outdoor. For the second year they present the festival "The Wereld Draait Buiten" on Sunday July 6. Together with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, violinist Liza Ferschtman will perform very special work: 'The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires' of Astor Piazzolla. Expect classical music with a Latin American twist! More information: http://www.dewerelddraaitbuiten.nl/
Read moreA Golden Label Award for Peter Orth
27-06-2014
The latest album ‘Diabelli Variations’ of pianist Peter Orth has won a Golden Label. The award was given by Klassiekcentraal.be. The album contains one of the last big compositions for piano from Ludwig Beethoven, 33 Variations on a waltz by Diablli. “You keep listening and re-listening - always a good sign - and hear almost some ragtime in Beethoven, thanks to daring rubato, surprising speed and a variety of musical "jokes" that would have made Beethoven very happy.” Milo Derdeyn Klassiek ...
Read moreSecond album of Mendelssohns complete symphonies is out now!
22-06-2014
Jan Willem de Vriend and The Netherlands Symphony Orchestra are back with the second volume of their survey of Mendelssohn’s Complete Symphonies. The first album contains Symphony no. 2 and has received some wonderful reviews. Now they come with their second album with Symphony nos. 1 & 3. This disc highlights the conductor's decision to use natural horns and trumpets with pistons. Mendelssohns Symhonies The Mendelssohns Symphonies both hark back to the old masters like Bach as look ahead to the future. The ...
Read moreLinus Roth selected as 'Editor's Choice' by Gramophone Magazine!
20-06-2014
Linus Roth's latest album Britten/ Weinberg Violin Concertos has been selected as 'Editor's Choice' by Gramophone Magazine! On this album the violinist plays Concertos of Britten and Weinberg together with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin conducted by Mihkel Kütson. “In short, an outstanding disc.” David Fanning, Gramophone magazine Not only Gramophone applauded this album, it was also well-received by other international press: “The interpretation of both concertos by Linus Roth is without a doubt sublime” wrote Siebe Riedstra in Luister, and awarded the album with the highest possible ...
Read moreNews About Rembrandt Frerichs
13-06-2014
Rembrandt Frerichs is a busy men. He and his trio just came back from Belgium after playing at the Brussels Jazz Marathon. They flew to Athens to make their Greek Debut. They have played at two big festivals there for 2500 enthustitic jazz fans and now Rembandt is flying to America to perform with Pheadra Kwant and Arno Nieuwenhuizen at Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival. It is a big festival with over 200.000 people audience. In between all these trips abroad, ...
Read moreTineke Postma quartet at Jazz Middelburg!
05-06-2014
Next Monday June 9th Tineke Postma Quartet will perform at the International Jazz Festival Middelburg at 3 pm. with Marc van Roon, Frans van der Hoeven and Martijn Vink! Tineke Postma is an internationally acknowledged jazz saxophonist and composer. She performs with her groups and as a sideman since 2003. Tineke lives in Amsterdam and New York. Her latest cd The Dawn Of Light from 2011 (Tineke Postma Quartet featuring Esperanza Spalding), has been released in 2011 worldwide, received raving reviews ...
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Eric Vloeimans performs in Rotterdam
02-06-2014
Next week, June 5, Eric Vloeimans will perform with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra in De Doelen, Rotterdam, the Netherlands! This is the last show from this concert serie! This show will include some beautiful pieces from his album ‘Evensong’. This album is a unique collaboration between Eric Vloeimans and a full scale classical orchestra. Together with the orchestra and conductor Jurjen Hempel, Vloeimans strikes a bridge between many different styles, from classical to jazz, from western to eastern. Watch the preview ...
Read moreTon Koopman receives prestigious Bach Prize
28-05-2014
This week the Royal Academy of Music announced that Ton Koopman has been selected as the 2014 winner of The Bach Prize. The prize, which was established in 2006 by The Kohn Foundation, is awarded to outstanding figures in the performance and scholarship of Bach's music. Ton Koopman is being complimented for his "remarkable work promoting Bach's music in the last thirty or so years." Previous winners of The Bach Prize were Christoph Wolff, Andras Schiff, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Peter ...
Read moreTon Koopman celebrates the 300th anniversary of C.P.E. Bach
26-05-2014
To celebrate the 300th anniversary of C.P.E. Bach Ton Koopman comes with a new album based around the 6 organ sonatas co Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach was the second son of Johann Sebastian Bach. He left a substantial body of work after his death. He left relatively few works for organ. There are several questions surrounding his organ sonatas: did he write five or six of them? In any event, only one of them survives in manuscript, in the collection of ...
Read moreThe new album from James MacMillan and the Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic is out now!
22-05-2014
‘Works for chamber orchestra with soloists’ is the third album in the James MacMillan series. This album is devoted to works for chamber orchestra with soloist that James MacMillan composed himself. The soloist who play on this album are violist Linus Roth, cellist Julius Berger and clarinettist Lars Wouters. The music on this album reflects both James Macmillan’s his spiritual and his social engagement. These two aspects come togheter and compliment each other. James MacMillan James MacMillan is a classical componist and ...
Read moreOde to a Dream: instrumental music with a strong cinematic character, inspired by a large collection of intriguing glass
19-05-2014
Lonesome Orchestra, the collaboration between Ton Snijders and Sebastiaan Koolhoven, is bringing their debut 'Ode To A Dream'. The music is inspired by glass stereographs over a 100 years old. These photos were found by accident and both the origin and the locations of these images are still unknown. The mysterious, intriguing and the great beauty of the images have been converted into music with a strong cinematic character. CLICK HERE to watch the intruiging music video of Lonesome Orchestra.
Read moreNew album for Edison 2012 award winning Bart Wirtz in collaboration with Sean Jones
13-05-2014
The major alto-saxophonist from the Netherlands, Bart Wirtz has developed not only into one of the top saxophonists in Europe but one of the best altoists in the world. With his previous album ‘iDreamer’ he won an Edison award in 2012, for this new album Wirtz decided to team up with an even bigger ensemble and collaborated with one of the world’s greatest trumpet players Sean Jones (the orchestra of Wynton Marsalis, the Marcus Miller band)! Click here to watch a ...
Read moreMichèle Gurdal brings a sensuous and soulful album
09-05-2014According to pianist Michèle Gurdal, many etudes of Alexander Scriabin’s are permeated with his striving towards a state of ecstasy. It is not surprising that the name of her new album is ‘Extase’! When Michèle Gurdal was still a kid she discovered Scriabin’s piano music. She was ten years old and could not stop listening to the deeply melancholic Etude Opus 2 no. 1. She felt this music drew to her like magic. This album had to be made so she ...
Read moreLisa Larsson will perform her new album 'La Captive' live!
01-05-2014
The release from the new album of Lisa Larsson is on May 8th. On this album ‘La Captive’ she sings works form Hector Berlioz and is assisted by Het Gelderse Orkest. It is the first time that Lisa Larsson sings in French on an album. Because of this new album Lisa Larsson and Het Gelderse Orkest will give 4 shows in The Netherlands where she will perform works from this album, like cantate Hermine and La mort de Cléopatre. 8 May ...
Read moreThree showcases on Jazzahead
29-04-2014Jazzahead 2014 is a wrap!! We are very proud that three of our great artist performed at this exhibition and meeting point for the international jazz scene. You can watch the showcases of Kapok, Estafest and Bram Stadhouders on YouTube, here are the links: Kapok played tracks from their self titled album, released earlier this year. Click here to watch the show. Estafest just released their album Eno Supo, watch here their great performance on Jazzahead! Bram Stadhouders performed with the Netherlands Chamber ...
Read moreAn album which took 20 years to root is out now
23-04-2014
The new album ‘Diabelli Variations’ from pianist Peter Orth is out now! On this album you find one of the last big compositions for piano from Ludwig Beethoven, 33 Variations on a waltz by Diablli. Peter Orths studied in 1978 under Rudolf Serin and gained entrance into his musical atmosphere. Beethoven’s Diabelli variations was a staple of his repertoire. He and Rudolf Serin discussed on several occasions that it might be a piece for Peter. His confrontation with his playing of ...
Read moreTwo Luister10's!
22-04-2014
We received two Luister 10's, the best possible review from Dutch Magazine Luister! For both the Hartmann Box by Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra & Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic and for On the Spot by Calefax and Eric Vloeimans! Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra & Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic Hartmann: Symphonies Nos. 1-8 "Great execution of a vital link in a great tradition" More info Calefax ft Eric Vloeimans On The Spot "A CD in which every note tells what really matters when it concerns musicianship" More info
Read moreDocumentary about Liza Ferschtman’s new album!
10-04-2014
Sunday April 6 the documentary “Sei Solo” about the new album from Liza Ferschtman was broadcasted on the Dutch Television. This documentary is about the solo program which will be presented on her new album with works of Biber, Bartók, Berio and Bach. As promised here is the link so you can watch it anytime you like! For more information about this newly released album you can click here!
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Jaap van Zweden at 'Collegetour'
04-04-2014
Jaap van Zweden will be a guest at Collegetour on April 4, 2014! This is a Dutch television show where hundreds of students will interview Jaap van Zweden, together with the host of this show, Twan Huys. This show has had a lot of international guests like Robbie Williams, Dan Brown and Desmond Tutu. To celebrate this with you we would like to offer you a €4 discount! Click here to go to our webshop and get his latest cd ‘Symphony no.6’ for €15,95 instead of €19,95! Use discount code: JaapvanZweden at the check-out. The ...
Read moreExclusive concert Egon Kracht
02-04-2014
Egon Kracht will present his new album Stabat Mater Stabat Pater during an exclusive concert at the 3rd of April in the Amstelkerk, Amsterdam. In 2011 Egon Kracht composed his third religious work, which is based on the famous 13th century poem Stabat Mater Dolorosa . This poem already was an inspiration for many composers like Palestrina, Pergolesi, Vivaldi, Haydn en Pärt. Now it is has become an inspiration for Egon Kracht to. Concert 3 April 20.30 - 21.45 uur Amstelkerk Amstelveld 10, Amsterdam Stabat Mater ...
Read moreDocumentary about Liza Ferschtman's new album!
01-04-2014
On Sunday April 6 a documentary about Liza Ferschtman will be broadcasted on Dutch Television: "Sei Solo". This documentary is about the solo program which will be presented on her new album with works of Biber, Bartók, Berio and Bach, which will be released this Monday! With her solo program Ferschtman creates an extremely intimate connection with her audience. For this documentary she looked for a way to show to the ultimate concentration it needs. Surrounded by a circle of audience, ...
Read moreStabat Mater by Goeyvaerts Trio is now available!
25-03-2014
The pioneering album ‘Stabat Mater’ from The Goeyvaerts String Trio is finally here! Stabat Mater from Arvo Pärt is for the first time performed in just intonation. Besides, it contains the world premier recording of Ivan Moody’s Simeron, which was composed for the Gergiev festival Rotterdam. Click here for the video of the recordings of the album, with an impression of the album an more information about just intonation! Kickstarter What started with an idea on a terrace in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, ended as a succesfully funded Kickstarter campaign. Kickstarter ...
Read moreTania Kross documentary 'I Want It All' tonight on Dutch Television
24-03-2014
The hectic life of Tania Kross is followed by cameras over the past 4 years. In 2013 her musical career moved forward very quickly: the production of her opera, her own album and many appearances on talk shows. But… Tania wants more, much more than just singing: She Wants It All. Barbara Makkinga travels with Tania Kross between 'the polder' and the 'tropics' and looks behind the infectious laughter of the Antillean mezzo soprano. March 24: Nederland 2, 20.55 u A little impression ...
Read moreThe day Bach was born: Complete Cantatas on Spotify!
21-03-2014
Today, it is 329 years ago that Bach was born! His music might be around for hundreds of years, today many people are still touched by his magical music! Ton Koopman recorded his complete Cantatas, you can also enjoy these on Spotify, go to: http://spoti.fi/1dxC6R6
Read moreThe release of 'Nordic Atmospheres'
20-03-2014
The new album “Nordic Atmospheres” of Sinfonietta Riga & Claus Efland is released today and presents an outstanding programm including works by Nielsen, Vasks, Grieg and Sibelius. Claus Efland and Sinfonietta Riga wanted to play two Latvian composers who use a different musical idiom. The repertoire on this CD is mainly music for string instruments, but contains one other recording; The only available recording of Romuald Kalsons Clarinet Concerto. A very energetic piece that contrasts to the other pieces as ...
Read moreThe new energetic album Kapok is now available with discount!
19-03-2014
Last month, the young and unusual trio Kapok released their second album. On this self-titled album, the band combines elements from very different genres and traditions: the energy and compact form of pop and funk; the grooves and percussion of roots music; the interaction and abstract sounds of free improvisation; and the phrasing and harmonies of jazz. The critics about both the release as wel as their live-performance are excellent: “With an unusual occupation of horn, guitar and percussion, the trio manages ...
Read moreToots Thielemans announced the end of his musical carreer
11-03-2014
After careful consideration, Toots Thielemans has decided to end his musical career. The 91 years old Belgian harmonica legend doesn’t feel strong enough to play a full concert anymore. He did not want to disappoint his audience and therefore decided to cancel all scheduled concerts. Thielemans wants to enjoy his well-deserved rest. He can look back at an extremely successful career with many challenge in which his musicality excelled. Thielemans played with the world's greatest jazz musicians, like Miles Davis, Chet ...
Read moreLisa Jacobs receives a “Luister 10”
07-03-2014
“ If I start writing words like ‘perfect’ and ‘ideal’ you know where I am going. A ‘Luister 10’ for Lisa Jacobs and Ksenia Kourmekno. And for the record team that reaches an equally perfect balance.” Gerard Scheltens, Luister Lisa Jacob's debut album: ‘Poème, works for violin & piano’ received the ‘Luister 10’ from Dutch Classical music magazine Luister. Togheter with pianist Ksenia Kouzmenke she received the highest possible ranking: 5 stars for performance and 5 stars for registration! Celebration discount: Get your copy now ...
Read moreStabat Mater in 'just intonation'!
07-03-2014
The Goeyvaerts String Trio has recorded a pioneering new album with work of Arvo Pärt and Ivan Moody. The CD could even cause quite a stir, but mainly it is predicted that this music and the way it is performed and recorded will enchant many music lovers! Watch the promo video here! The Goeyvaerts String Trio employs just intonation for the Arvo Pärt’s Stabat Mater, although equal temperament* is the most commonly known and used. The decision to play the work in ...
Read moreValentina Tóth highly rewarded with a Diapason D'or
28-02-2014
The 19 year old Dutch pianist Valentina Tóth will be rewarded in the March issue of Diapason with a Diapason D'or. She is one of the few artists who receives this prize at such a very young age! The Diapason d'Or is the monthly highest recommendation of an outstanding classical music recording given by reviewers of Diapason magazine in France, broadly equivalent to "Editor's Choice", "Disc of the Month" in the British Gramophone magazine. This prestigious prize says a lot about the ...
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Capella de la Torre brings you 600 years back in time to the Council of Constance
27-02-2014
This year is the 600th anniversary of the start of a major historical event: the 16th Council for the election of a pope. With their new album "Piffarissimo", Capella de la Torre brings you back to this time with festive instrumental music from that period. Capella de la Torre, a group of six musicians, founded in 2005 by Katharina Bäuml, are known for being specialists in historical performance practice, especially for double reed instruments. The ensemble's aim is to give listeners ...
Read moreThe Stolz Quartet presents their album in Splendor Amsterdam
24-02-2014
On Wednesday, 26 February, The Stolz Quartet will present their new album: "Dutch Masters". The new album contains works from Dutch Masters and pieces of famous composers like The “4 Preludes Op. 33” from Skrjabin which is arranged by Robert Zuidam. The result is a colourfull album full of ‘modern works’ played on hobo, violin, cello and viola. Concert information: Wednesday February 26, 20:30 Splendor, Amsterdam (The Netherlands) Entrance: €17,50 Click here for more information Click here to buy the new album! By clicking on the tracks, ...
Read moreTania Kross rewarded by Radio 4
14-02-2014
Sunday, February 16th, Tania Kross receives a Radio 4 price 2014 during a Special Concert. Radio 4 rewards Tania Kross for her attempts to bring classical music closer to a new and younger audience. The award will be presented to her during a special concert in Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ in Amsterdam. Tania Kross has gotten the oppurtunity to design the set-up for this concert herself. Besides that she also receives a price of 5000 euro, which she will donate to ...
Read moreRomantic Valentine With Challenge
13-02-2014
Have you not heard our special Valentine Classics yet? Go to Spotify and enjoy our special selected classical music list for you. Don’t forget our special Valentine selection with extra discount. We selected some beautiful albums for you. What about the new album of Eric Vloeiman’s which is given a 4 star review ****, or the latest album from Jeroen van Vliet. This album also received excellent reviews. These are just 2 of the albums we have selected for you so ...
Read moreWeinberg's rarely released violin concerto played by Linus Roth!
13-02-2014
The new album of the German violinist Linus Roth is now available: "Violin Concertos". The album contains works of Britten and Weinberg's rarely released violin concerto. On this album Roth collaborates with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin conducted by Mihkel Kütson. Click here for the promo video of this album! After winning the Echo Klassik Award for his EMI debut album in 2006, Linus Roth has made a name for himself both as one of the most interesting violinists of his generation and as a ...
Read moreTelevision special about Osiris Trio!
04-02-2014
This year Osiris Trio celebrates its 25th anniversary! NTR Podum made a television special about them. The trio, existing out of violinist Peter Brunt, cellist Larissa Groeneveld and pianist Ellen corver, played on all mayor stages in the world with an extensive repetoire. Click here to watch this special!
Read moreIlluminated Bass recommended by The Strad!
31-01-2014
"Illuminated Bass" by double-bass player Olivier Thiery and pianist Sophie Labandibar is recommended by The Strad ! Quote: "A Stunning recital that displays the bass as its most agile and thrilling" SPECIAL OFFER, ONLY THIS WEEKEND Buy the cd for €15,95 instead of €19,95, use the code XMS1R7J at the checkout. Click here!
Read moreNow available for pre-order with discount: Rembrandt Frerichs Trio - A Long Story Short
31-01-2014
On the 7th of February jazz pianist and composer Rembrandt Frerichs will release his new album 'A Long Story Short', a phrase that, on multiple levels, speaks to the artistic development of this trio. You can now pre-order this album with a € 3,- discount, you will pay € 16,95 instead of € 19,95! Use the code frerichs2014 at the check out of our webshop to receive this discount. This code is valid until the 7th of Februari. Two release concerts in The ...
Read moreTierney Sutton's
25-01-2014Tierney Sutton's "After Blue" is nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album, 56th Grammy Awards. Tune in on Sunday, January 26th 8/7c "Joni's musical poetry is all about light and love and loss...Tierney 'gets' all of that on every level, plus has the skills, passion and life experience necessary to sing Joni convincingly and heart-felt. Tierney also has the jazz chops that any other vocalist would envy. She swings. It's the rare vocalist who can handle straight and swung eighth-notes...Tierney can do ...
Read moreHartmann's complete symphonies on 3CD!
24-01-2014
A special first release on Challenge Classics in 2014: a 3CD set with the complete symphonies of composer Karl Amadeus Hartmann, played by the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and the Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic. The cd is now available! Karl Amadeus Hartmann (1905-1963) is one of the most significant but least-known symphonic composers of the 20th century. This set of three hybrid SACDs, issued to mark the 50th anniversary of the German composer's death, features his eight symphonies played by the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic ...
Read moreExclusive preview concert!
10-01-2014On Monday January 13, Lonseome Orchestra (led by Ton Snijders en Sebastiaan van Koolhoven) will give a special preview concert in Theater Koningshof in Maassluis (the Netherlands). This free concert will give a preview to their upcoming album 'Ode to a Dream' which will be released this spring! Lonesome Orchestra makes timeless, imaginative and even cinematic music, averse to all trends. Therefore the music is difficult to label. The ensemble is influenced by classical music, jazz and pop, but the music always has a ...
Read moreCD presentation Jeroen van Vliet
09-01-2014
On Friday January 10, Jeroen van Vliet will present his new album: "Wait". This is only the second solo album of the pianist, the first one appeared in 1996. Last year (2013) he recorded his new album in Norway. Concert information: Friday January 10, 20:30h Paradox, Tilburg (The Netherlands) Entrance: €10 - €13 Click here for more information Click here to buy the new album! By clicking on the tracks, you can listen to 30 second samples of the music.
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A grammy nomination for Winterreise by Prégardien & Gees!
10-12-2013
We are proud to announce that the outstanding recording of Winterreise by Christoph Prégardien and Michael Gees was nominated for the 56th Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Solo! You can watch the trailer by clicking on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-7BLF0uKJ4 Winterreise Prégardien and Gees have performed Winterreise numerous times together and Prégardien has released Winterreise before with Andreas Staier on fortepiano in 1996. The release won multiple awards. Nonetheless, this new release of Winterreise adds in many ways to this former release. Prégardien’s vision on Winterreise changed from more melancholic to a piece ...
Read moreOne to watch for the weekend!
29-11-2013
Last weekend, the documentary "Sei Solo", about Liza Ferschtman was broadcasted on the Dutch Television. Did you miss it? You can still watch it online! Go to: http://www.uitzendinggemist.nl/afleveringen/1380815 In this documentary Liza Ferschtman shows how she wants to make her 'musical signature'. With the iconical Chaconne of Bach as a basis, Liza Ferschtman put together a program of solo works by the composers Bach, Biber, Berio and Bartok. These works ask for maximum effort from the violinist herself as well as from her audience. ...
Read more4 stars for Michael Schønwandt / Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic!
27-11-2013
Today, the Dutch newspaper awarded the cd Symphonic Work of Michael Schønwandt and the Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic with a four-star review! Reviewer Frits van der Waa wrote: "Schønwandt lets the music sparkle with youthful vitality" We now offer you €4 discount on this cd in our webshop, instead of €26,95 you pay €22,95! Click here to buy the product and use the discount code EOMDYEV at the checkout.
Read moreICP box wins an Edison! Now with 6 cd's for free!
22-11-2013
We are very proud to announce that the Instant Composer Pool (ICP) box won an Edison Award for best document! We would like to celebrate this with you: when you buy this award-winning ICP box in our webshop, you will now receive six cd's for free (worth over €100,-)! The comment of the judges: "The overwhelming number of recordings of this unique ensemble form, together with the beautiful artwork, a particularly valuable document about this memorable epoch in our national improvised music." The box contains the complete catalogue of the ...
Read more17 YEARS OF NORTHSTAR RECORDING EXCELLENCE CAPTURED IN ‘THE SPIRIT OF TURTLE’
22-11-2013
From Beethoven’s “5th”, Allegro con brio, to Maarten Ornstein’s Quicksie from Jungle Boldie. What unites the pieces is the pure experience that they offer. Pioneering engineer Bert van der Wolf launches a new collection of personal highlights from his ground-breaking career. The new collection features fully re-mastered recordings of some of the most innovative and moving music in the world. The fourteen tracks have been selected personally by van der Wolf from the NorthStar archive and represent some of the seminal ...
Read moreDebut album Lisa Jacobs!
20-11-2013
At the age of 17 Lisa Jacobs made her debut with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. In 2008 she played in the television show De Wereld Draait Door. Now, this star violinist brings her debut album on Challenge Classics: Poème, works for violin & piano, with the works of violin virtouso Eugene Ysaye and Cesar Frank's famous Sonate. "This is the dream of any musician", Lisa Jacobs says. The album is now available! Lisa Jacobs Dutch violin virtuoso Lisa Jacobs started playing the violin at ...
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow: Scott Fields String Feartet - Kintsugi
15-11-2013
Guitarist Scott Fields String Feartet’s Kintsugi has fiery avant-garde explorations from his violin-viola-cello quartet. Guitarist Scott Fields was born and raised in Chicago. He originally played with both rock and avant-garde groups for several years, doubling on saxophones. Fields actually stopped active performing for 15 years starting when he was 23, working outside of music in Madison, Wisconsin while gaining degrees in journalism, economics and mass communications. However he was drawn back to music, moving to Cologne, Germany and becoming a ...
Read moreDer Schatzgräber: the 2nd recording ever!
13-11-2013
We are proud to announce the release of our latest production in cooperation with De Nederlandse Opera: Franz Schreker's rarely performed early 20th century masterpiece Der Schatzgräber. The early 20th century Austrian composer Franz Schreker is especially known for his operas. Der Schatzgräber (The Treasure Hunter) was completed in 1918 and premiered Frankfurt in 1920. On this recording, the second in a Nederlandse Opera series on Challenge Classics, the Netherlands Philharmonic and the Netherlands Opera Chorus are conducted by Marc Albrecht. The cast includes Tijl ...
Read moreGreat review of Annette Hanshaw on Vintage Jazz Mart
31-10-2013
Annette Hanshaw is one of the few ‘pop’ vocalists of either sex from the Jazz Age, who can genuinely be called a jazz singer: her natural sense of timing and rhythm worked equally well with straight dance bands and small jazz combinations. The CD opens with three tracks by the Original Memphis Five CD opens with three tracks by the original Memphin Five. Annette’s vocal work fits in perfectly with the bouncy rhythm the band generates. The tracks by the Four Instrumental Stars ...
Read moreHermine Deurloo's concerts
21-10-2013
On the 24th, 25th and 27th of October Hermine Deurloo will give three concerts in Groningen, Amsterdam and Leeuwarden. The shows will be a mix of exciting improvisations, spherical film and unusual percussion sounds and original compositions. Lineup: Tony Overwater: bass, electric bass Joshua Samson: Hang, smeary, percussion, drums Sandra Hempel: on guitar in Groningen and Leeuwarden Rembrandt Frerichs: piano in Amsterdam Thursday, Oct 24. 20:30 Groningen, Platformtheater See link for more information http://platformtheater.nl Friday Oct 25. 21:00 Amsterdam, Splendor, See link for more information www.splendoramsterdam.nl Sunday Oct 27. 15:00 Leeuwarden, De ...
Read moreNew Album Tania Kross released on October 30!
17-10-2013
The new album of Tania Kross: Krossover; Opera Revisited will be released on October 30! For this new album Tania Kross’ goal was to take classical music back to the larger audience.The compositions are not what you expect from an opera album. Instead of taking existing, famous opera works, Tania asked the composers of today’s popular music to write the music for the project. The result is breathtaking, classical music which touches you from the start! Once upon a time the music ...
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow: Mira Mode Orchestra - Restless City
16-10-2013
The Mira Mode Orchestra is a very modern and unusual jazz orchestra. Saxophonist Ede Merkel is the leader but in many ways this is a co-op that he has with younger and talented musicians, mostly from Germany. The Mira Mode Orchestra is certainly one of the first jazz groups ever that consists of three horns, a four-piece rhythm section, and five strings. On Restless City, their first recording, Merkel contributed five of the nine selections and arranged Clara Hill’s “Glacial Moraine.” ...
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Tineke Postma & Greg Osby: stellar union on a new album!
14-10-2013
The USA jazz star Greg Osby and noted Dutch saxophonist Tineke Postma both alt and soprano saxophone players join forces to create a gem album featuring their own compositions. They are now powering this album on the world famous Kickstarter giving a chance to their fans and all the jazz lovers on the planet to become a part of their stunning CD. Click here to support this new album! In this album Osby’s modern energetic, electric and acoustics conceptual music meets the melodic European influences of Tineke. The ...
Read moreUnique concert in the Netherlands of Russian piano talent Olga Domnina!
11-10-2013
Friday the 25th of October, the Russian piano talent Olga Domnina will play at the Koninklijke Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. There she will play work of Prokofjev and present her debut album Seven Melodies for the Dial. This work was dedicated to her by Vladimir Genin, the composer, who will be present at this concert! Next Sunday, the 13th of October she will talk about the pianocycle in Vrije Geluiden. Olga Domnina Olga Domnina started playing the piano at age seven. Since then, she ...
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow: Verbeij | Soeters - Morse.
10-10-2013
Pianist Floris Verbeij, bassist Bart Soeters, drummer Arthur Lijten on Morse. play subtle and creative jazz. Pianist Floris Verbeij and bassist Bart Soeters teamed up as co-leaders to create Morse. Verbeij composes not only for this set (where he contributed seven of the ten selections but writes for films, television and plays. Soeters, who like Verbeij is a college professor. He studied with Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller and Clare Fischer in the United States before returning to Germany. He has kept ...
Read moreHolland Baroque Society meets Eric Vloeimans in Old New & Blue
10-10-2013
Wednesday evening, 9th of October Eric Vloeimans and Holland Baroque Society visited the Dutch national television program 'De Wereld Draait Door' to present their new album: Old, New and Blue. In the show the played one track of this album. To watch the performance, CLICK HERE. CLICK HERE to watch the song 'Sans Parure' on youtube.
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow: The Ploctones - Ploc
07-10-2013
The Ploctones on Ploc range from rockish jams and avant-funk to quieter ballads. The adventurous guitarist Anton Goudsmit stars. When one hears the Ploctones, there are times when their playing is so explosive that it sounds like Sonny Sharrock meeting Albert Ayler with Jimi Hendrix helping out. Certainly the first two passionate numbers on Ploc, their fourth CD, sounds that way. But then there are other times when they sound like a modern jazz group that displays lyricism and melodic development. ...
Read moreVote for ICP Orchestra at radio6.nl!
03-10-2013
This sunday in the program Co Live from radio 6, is it possible for you to vote for ICP Orchestra! Voting goes by going to the website www.radio6.nl. There you can click on a poll for your vote to be counted. If the ICP orchestra wins, their complete boxed catalogue will be played after 12 pm. ( a recording from 1997 - Jazz Marathon - Groningen) Please start voting now! It is possible to order the ICP boxed catalogue from our ...
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow: Lisbon Underground - L.U.M.E.
02-10-2013
Pianist Marco Barroso mixes a big band with electronics on the Lisbon Underground’s L.U.M.E. (ZZ 76105) to create noisy and unique music. It is easy to think of this new CD from the Lisbon Underground as being a big band album, at least until one listens to it. After all, the band consists of six reeds, three trumpets, three trombones, bass, drums and the piano of leader Marco Barroso. However the use of electronics and samples give the eight Barroso originals ...
Read moreA beautiful documentary about Mike del Ferro's music experience
25-09-2013
The documentary about the pianist Mike del Ferro's music history is now online! Click here to watch it. Mike del Ferro likes to travel around the world to search for new kinds of music. This document shows how his love for music all started by the movie Rag Time. Which countries appeal to him and how he thinks about music. "I always played the common Chopin, Beethoven, and Mozart repertoire, but I missed something”, he said about his experience with music. After ...
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow: Unissued On 78s Hot Dance Bands 1924 - 1932
25-09-2013
This is the third CD in a series by the Retrieval label that consists of recordings from the classic jazz era (1924-32) that were never released on 78s. Some came out on Lps or on very obscure CDs but they were formerly quite scarce. As can be ascertained by listening to the 24 performances, they went unreleased for many decades for nonmusical reasons. The playing is certainly quite worthwhile and enjoyable. Featured along the way are such groups as Fred Waring ...
Read more25% discount on combination tickets (concert CD) Sven Ratzke - Songs in a Cabaret
23-09-2013
Next Wednesday, 25th of November, diva Sven Ratzke will present his new album in Bimhuis. For the release concert we have a special offer for you: you can buy a combination ticket for only 29,- which means 25% discount on both concert ticket and album! Be quick because there are limited combination tickets available! Order your combination tickets here!* German-Dutch cabaret artist Sven Ratzke, a ‘showbiz enfant terrible’ (de Volkskrant), enchants the Bimhuis with a one-off live performance based on his new ...
Read moreEnno Voorhorst in De Spiegelzaal September 22nd on Radio 4
20-09-2013
On Sunday September 22nd guitarist Enno Voorhorst will be guest in the live radio program in the Spiegelzaal in the Concertgebouw of the AVRO on Radio 4. Enno will be playing pieces from his new cd 'Around Barrios' and he will be interviewed by presentor Hans van den Boom Website Spiegelzaal: link The new CD 'Around Barrios' of Enno Voorhorst: link
Read moreEric Vloeimans presents his new trio 'Oliver’s Cinema' in Pauw & Witteman and the Bimhuis
19-09-2013
The new release of Eric Vloeimans his trio Oliver's Cinema is out now! We offer you a release discount of 3,-, use the discount code zz76111oc at the checkout in our website and you will pay 16,95 instead of 19,95!* Tonight Eric will be a special guest in TV show Pauw & Witteman (23.05 hr, Nederland 1) Next Friday, 20th of September the new trio of Eric Vloeimans, Oliver’s Cinema, will present their new album in Bimhuis Amsterdam. Oliver’s Cinema has an international ...
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Hanna Devich gives Einaudi's music a heart!
17-09-2013
Get your copy today - with a 15% discount! Use the discount code 4APWU6U at the checkout of our store and pay €16,96 instead of €19,95!* A very positive review yesterday in daily newspaper NRC about "Nightbook", the solo CD of Dutch pianist Hanna Devich, playing music of the Italian composer/pianist Ludovico Einaudi. This is the first ever album of his piano music not played by the maestro himself and the NRC reviewer deems Hanna's performance better than that of Einaudi himself: "It ...
Read more'Ploc' album of the week at Radio 6
16-09-2013
The new album of the Ploctones is album of the week at Radio 6! And you can also listen to the full album on their recordpole!
Read moreThe Ploctones in Radio 6 JaBo Gumbo Show
14-09-2013
In the Radio 6 JaBo Gumbo Show (Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September 14.00-16.00) presenter Jaap Boots called with Ploctones member Efraïm Trujillo. Click HERE to listen to the show!
Read moreMatangi Quartet in Plaatpaal and Diskotabel on Radio 4
10-09-2013
The new CD of the Matangi Quartet 'Haydn's Nature' is in the Plaatpaal on Radio 4: here Also the cd was in Diskotabel were the panel discussed it: here The Diskotabel panel is very enthusiastic, panel member Cécile Huijnen stated: "This is awesome. This is the high Art of the string quartet. The balance is so beautiful, it is organic, sometimes it is very pure and non-vibrato and then again a more firmer approach and also that clear cello part, it is ...
Read moreAn exciting new release of The Ploctones will be celebrated with a discount on the presentation concert
10-09-2013
Next Thursday September 12, The Ploctones will present their new album ‘Ploc’ in the Bimhuis, Amsterdam. In collaboration with the Bimhuis we can offer you a special discount on the tickets of this release concert. If you order your tickets via http://bimhuis.nl/concerten/the-ploctones and use de code ‘ploc!’ you have the special price of €17,- instead of the normal price €20,- Release concert Thursday September 12, 20.30 hr Bimhuis Piet Heinkade 3, Amsterdam www.bimhuis.nl
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow: Mira Mode Orchestra - Restless City
09-09-2013
The Mira Mode Orchestra debut on Restless City is a blend of postbop jazz with strings, electronics and groove music. The Mira Mode Orchestra is a very modern and unusual jazz orchestra. Saxophonist Ede Merkel is the leader but in many ways this is a co-op that he has with younger and talented musicians, mostly from Germany. The Mira Mode Orchestra is certainly one of the first jazz groups ever that consists of three horns, a four-piece rhythm section, and five strings. ...
Read moreLisbon Underground Music Ensemble will release their international album ‘L.U.M.E.’
05-09-2013
The Portugese band Lisbon Underground Music Ensemble, are going to cross borders. Challenge Records/Buzz just released their international version of L.U.M.E.! Lume is the Portugese word for fire, it's the fire that sparks one big explosion of different music styles! This music ensemble, led by composer Marco Barroso, is a collective of 15 musicians with diverse backgrounds and experiences in the fields of jazz, pop, rock, classic, contemporary and improvised music. Influenced by many sources ranging from Funk to textural music, from ...
Read moreTremendous success: Goeyvaerts String Trio collect almost £ 15 000 on Kickstarter!
05-09-2013
It has been 2 weeks since the project of Goeyvaerts String Strio went successfully funded on Kickstarter. The trio put their upcoming Arvo Pärt's "Stabat Mater" album on the global crowd-funding platform. And it turned out a huge success with over 500 international backers (investors), personal support of Arvo Pärt, global press coverage, Kickstarter front page feature and almost £ 15 000 collected for the new CD! What started as an exchange of ideas on a terrace in Amersfoort ended up ...
Read more'Impressions of Brazil' Release of the Week at Sublime FM
04-09-2013
Next week Mike del Ferro his new album 'Impressions of Brazil' will be Release of the Week at Sublime FM. Listen Tuesday night, 10th of September on 22-23u!
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow: Kenny Werner | Hein van de Geyn | Hans van Oosterhout - Collaboration
04-09-2013
Collaboration has a dozen fascinating and mostly free improvisations by the great pianist Kenny Werner in a trio. Pianist Kenny Werner, bassist Hein Van De Geyn and drummer Hans Van Oosterhout have worked together on an occasional basis in the past including taking a short tour and functioning as Toots Thielemans’ quartet for a few concerts. But while the musicians are familiar with each other, they have not performed together all that often. Rather than sharing years of mutual experiences, they ...
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow: Birgitta Flick Quartet - Yingying
03-09-2013
German tenor-saxophonist Birgitta Flick’s debut as a leader Yingying has her sounding relaxed and explorative with her quartet. An excellent tenor-saxophonist based in Berlin, Birgitta Flick has an original sound on her horn, not sounding like any of her historical predecessors. She was born in 1985 and she began music with extensive piano lessons. When she was 13, she shifted her focus to the tenor. She attended the Academy of Music during 2002-05 and the Jazz Institute Berlin during 2005-10; one ...
Read moreA new release with an experimental blend of jazz, modern electronica and classical choir
03-09-2013
In this unique collaboration between Bram Stadhouders and The Netherlands Chamber Choir jazz, modern electronica and choir meet. "Forget your hairdo, because your hair will stand stiff upward when the symbiosys forces cross the stage" wrote newspaper De Volkskrant after the premiere concert of Henosis. This album is now featured on the 3 voor 12 Recordpole, click here to listen to the album. Release discount We offer you a release discount on this new album of Bram Stadhouders untill the 13th of September! If ...
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review by Scott Yanow: The Essential Chick Bullock 1932-1941
02-09-2013
The Essential Chick Bullock 1932-1941 has many of the singer’s best performances with top swing players. During 1930-41, Chick Bullock sang on a couple hundred records as a leader and quite a few as a guest with bands. Although he would never be considered a jazz singer, and in his early period he was not always an asset to records, he developed into a smooth and very capable vocalist. Most importantly, he was often placed at the head of groups featuring ...
Read moreThe new album of the Matangi Quartet, Haydn’s Nature is now available!
02-09-2013
What can you expect of this new album? Kindness, warmth, quiet calm – it is Haydn all over. Although the album title suggests a nature theme, just how green is Haydn’s music? Titles like Frog, bird, sunrise… Although Matangi zealously devotes itself to the composer’s sustainability, do not allow yourself to be hoodwinked by the names. Matangi Quartet gathers three String quartets (op. 76 No. 4, op. 50 No. 6, op. 33 No. 3) by Haydn on one CD, interprets ...
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow: The Houdini's in Time
30-08-2013
The Houdini’s In Time is a definitive sampler of the premiere European hard bop sextet’s recording legacy. The Houdini’s, which were formed in 1987 for a tour of Canada, developed very quickly to become one of Europe’s top hard bop groups. While the band sometimes hints at Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Horace Silver and the Ray Charles group with Hank Crawford, it has an irresistible spirit and musical personality of its own. In Time is a sampler that includes some of the ...
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow: Americans in Britain 1920-1925
29-08-2013
Americans In Britain 1920-1925 (Retrieval 79038) has music from seven early bands that helped introduce and popularize jazz in England. Jazz was introduced to Great Britain (and indirectly to much of Europe) in 1919 when the Original Dixieland Jazz Band began a year of being based in London, creating a sensation. With the end of World War I., Europeans were ready to move ahead and jazz fit the mood of the era. It would be a decade before many of the ...
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow: Thomas Ruckert - Meera
28-08-2013
Pianist Thomas Ruckert’s trio on Meera emphasizes slow tempos and relaxed creative and sophisticated improvising. Thomas Ruckert began playing piano when he was 7 in his native Germany. He visited the United States for the first time in 1999, and was inspired to have an active performance career playing jazz. He first recorded as a leader in 2002. Ruckert has played with such notables as Lee Konitz, Donny McCaslin, Mark Murphy, Kevin Mahogany, and Randy Brecker in addition to leading his ...
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow: Hot Dance Bands from Okeh 193-1931
27-08-2013
The Okeh label was one of the most important record companies in jazz of the 1920s. Starting with its Mamie Smith performances of 1920 (including a huge hit with “Crazy Blues”) and accelerating in 1923, Okeh would eventually become best known for recording Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five and Seven during 1925-27 and his Savoy Ballroom Ball in 1928. Ironically by then the company was no longer independent, having been sold to Columbia in Nov. 1926. Nevertheless there were many hot ...
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow: Randal Corsen - Symbiosis
26-08-2013
Randal Corsen’s Symbiosis features the inventive pianist performing eight colorful originals with his quartet. Randal Corsen, who is based in the Netherlands, is an excellent postbop pianist, arranger and composer. One can hear a subtle “Latin tinge” in his music and he hints at such innovators as Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock while playing original music in his own voice. He took five years off between records as a leader to work on writing projects including his first opera Katibu di ...
Read moreHanna Devich and Matangi Quartet performing on the Uitmarkt in Amsterdam
26-08-2013
On Saturday August 31th, Hanna Devich and Matangi Quartet will be performing on the Uitmarkt 2013 in Amsterdam, the cultural start of the season. The Orgelpark is the place to be if you want to see Challenge artists because Matangi Quartet will play at 14.30-15.00 hours and Hanna Devich at 16.00 -16.30 hours. Hanna Devich is a true advocate to the repertoire of the worldfamous composer Ludovico Einaudi. This year she released the album 'Nightbook' on Challenge Classics, her first solo album. ...
Read moreBram Stadhouders at the 3 voor 12 Recordpole
26-08-2013
The next two weeks you can listen to the new album of Bram Stadhouders and The Netherlands Chamber Choir on the 3 voor 12 Recordpole. Here's the link: http://3voor12.vpro.nl/luisterpaal/albums/Bram-Stadhouders.html More information about the album you can find HERE.
Read moreArs Antiqua Austria played at the opening concert of the Early Music Festival
23-08-2013
Ars Antiqua Austria played August 23rd on the opening concert on the Early Music Festival in Utrecht. Muffat’s only surviving mass In labore requies is a typical example of the large-scale vocal and instrumental multichoral composition popular in Salzburg at the time. Together with his ensemble Ars Antiqua Austria the violinist Gunar Letzbor is one of the main champions of Austrian Baroque repertoire, which has so far remained largely unexplored. Besides his orchestra of strings and winds he also brought ...
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow: The Original Memphis Five
23-08-2013
The Original Memphis Five, a great band during 1922-26, are heard at their best on the two-CD set Pathe Instrumentals. Although often overlooked in the jazz history books, the Original Memphis Five was one of the finest jazz bands on record during 1922-25. During that period they were extremely prolific, making a countless number of recordings not only as the Original Memphis Five but under a variety of other names. Phil Napoleon, who began to emerge on records in 1921, was possibly ...
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow: McCoy Tyner Trio - Bon Voyage
22-08-2013
McCoy Tyner’s Bon Voyage features his 1987 trio with Avery Sharpe and Louis Hayes in exciting form. Ever since he joined the John Coltrane Quartet in late-1960, McCoy Tyner has had his own distinctive voice on the piano. A master of modal jazz, Tyner developed his own chord voicings and percussive style. He was one of the major influences on other pianists by the time he left Coltrane in early 1966 and has led his own bands, usually trios, ever since. ...
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Review of the day by Scott Yanow: Various Artists - Unissued on 78 Hot Jazz 1926-1932
21-08-2013
Unissued on 78s has 24 numbers (mostly alternate takes) from 1926-32 that 1920s collectors will want. The 24 selections on this CD date from 1926-32 and are programmed in chronological order. None of these performances, which are mostly alternate takes, ever came out on 78. The majority made their debut appearance on Lp and many have been out-of-print for years. One, the humorous gaspipe clarinetist Wilton Crawley’s “Put A Flavour To Love,” has never been out before and includes some fine ...
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow - Lenny White - Lenny White Live
20-08-2013
Lenny White Live (CR 73373) has his 1997 septet (with two keyboards and two basses) playing passionate and inventive fusion. Lenny White is best known for being the drummer during the main years of Chick Corea’s Return To Forever. He is a versatile player who has appeared in many settings during the past 45 years from hard bop to rock. Lenny White Live releases for the first time music from his 1997 Japanese tour, his debut in Japan as a leader. White’s ...
Read moreNew album of Mike del Ferro: 'Impressions of Brazil'
20-08-2013
During the North Sea Jazz Festival 2013, Mike del Ferro presented already his new work: ‘Impressions of Brazil', with the Brazilian star Ceumar. This repertoire is now released on CD! 'Impressions of Brazil' is the second album in the series ‘Songs by wandering the globe’, following the album ‘The Journey’ from 2012. Mike del Ferro is a globe-trotter and as a son of opera-singer Leonard del Ferro, a music lover as well. He has the privilege to successfully combine those two passions. This results in Del Ferro's performances in ...
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow: Ray Anderson / Marty Ehrlich Quartet - Hear You Say
19-08-2013
Trombonist Ray Anderson and Marty Ehrlich (clarinet, tenor, soprano) romp together colorfully on Hear You Say. Although associated with the avant-garde, trombonist Ray Anderson has long had such a rambunctious and witty approach to playing his horn that his recordings tend to be more accessible than one would expect. Anderson, who has a huge range and brilliant technique, has never been shy to play humorous solos full of ideas that both look back towards the beginnings of jazz and ahead towards ...
Read morereview by Scott Yanow: Berritt Brunies & His Friars Inn Orchestra
16-08-2013
While the history of early jazz on record (1917-25) is often summed up by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, the New Orleans Rhythm Kings, King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band, the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra and finally Louis Armstrong’s Hot Five, there were many other worthy groups that were documented during the era. Although recorded acoustically (electric recording did not take over until 1926-27), the joy and creativity of early jazz can still communicate to today’s listeners. This two-CD set has 48 recordings ...
Read moreReview by Scott Yanow: Bastian Steins Gravity Point - Grounded
15-08-2013
Trumpeter Bastian Stein’s Gravity Point’s Grounded (DMCHR 71086) features a high quality quintet playing original modern hard bop. Stein made his recording debut as a leader on this 2010 release. He has lived in Vienna since he turned five. Along the way, he studied with Ack van Rooyen and Bo Nilsson. He worked with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra during 2003-05 and has played with Joris Dudli, Martin Reiter and the Robert Bachner Big Band in Austria. Grounded features a high quality ...
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