The latest release by bassist and composer James Ilgenfritz presents his work in four contexts: Almostness is a work for solo contrabass in Just Intonation scordatura with Autonomous Mechanical Instrument Array, while Trust Fall is a work for saxophone quartet, recorded live at Ilgenfritz’s 2018 residency for John Zorn’s The Stone at the New School series. Apophenia V features the Ghost Ensemble, recorded live at Redcat in Los Angeles, while Subject-Object-Abject was written and recorded in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and represents the acute feelings of disassociation from reality that marked those days.

The "French Suites" were devised as a technically less challenging preliminary level in learning the organ, situated between the studies of "Inventions and Sinfonias" and the "English Suites", the so called 'large' suites, and "Partitas". Bach's composing a remarkable number of pieces with a didictic purpose for the piano can be considered as an attempt to further his reputation as a teacher. Caspar Frantz combines his recording of the French Suites with two less known suites which demonstrate, that discoveries are still possible even in such a well-known ouevre like Bach's.

"Mythologies and Mad Songs" explores the nuanced compositions of American composer Geoffrey Gordon, in a thoughtfully-crafted selection performed by the BBC Scottish Symphony and Philharmonia Orchestras, conducted by Martyn Brabbins. The album opens with "PUCK - fleeing from the dawn," an overture marked by captivating intensity, introducing Gordon's signature elements of passionate melody and refined orchestration. The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, led by Brabbins, brings these compositions to life, creating a tapestry of dark and luminous musical expressions.

Introducing “Environments,” from acclaimed composer Greg Caffrey, a poignant journey through landscapes both physical and emotional. Recorded in the heart of Belfast at the historic Townsend Street Church, this album captures the essence of a city marked by its tumultuous history and resilient spirit. Caffrey’s compositions, brought to life by the renowned Ulster Orchestra, reflect his own personal journey from the streets of West Belfast to international acclaim.

"Schubert Reimagined," is a unique new album revitalising the music of Franz Schubert, featuring renowned cellist Josephine Knight, alongside the highly sought-after vocal group The Gesualdo Six, pianist Simon Crawford-Phillips and Timothy Jones on horn. The carefully curated repertoire includes the slow movement from Schubert's poignant String Quintet D.956, arranged for cello and The Gesualdo Six; the expressive Sonata for cello and piano in A minor 'Arpeggione' D. 821; and captivating Schubert songs delivered through innovative arrangements by Timothy Jones.

Ravel was very happy with his second Violin Sonata, written between 1923 and 1927, whose second movement adopts the Afro-American blues. This wonderful sonata is characterised throughout by the contrast between the consistently fairly dry piano part and the smooth, melodic violin.

La Compagnia del Madrigale releases another imaginative album on Glossa, turning to a late composition by Orazio Vecchi, Le veglie di Siena from 1604.

The Adoration is the latest release by the Warsaw Philharmonic, performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic Choir conducted by Bartosz Michałowski. This album is devoted entirely to the music of Paweł Łukaszewski – one of the most outstanding contemporary Polish composers – and comprises selected works of sacred music for a cappella choir written between 2006 and 2018.

Polyphemus, a cyclops of ancient Greek legend with one eye and three fingers on each hand, became a central figure in many myths and in their musical settings by Baroque composers. This son of Poseidon, a giant of insurmountable strength, appears in many fables, the best known of which are his encounters Odysseus during the hero's homeward journey and with Theseus, who kills Polyphemus.

Ode & Ballade by Skye Consort & Emma Bjorling brings stories of medieval saints and sacred wells, fair maidens outsmarting presumptuous knights, beautiful or boisterous drinking songs, thieves meeting their fate, heartbreaking love songs, groovy dance tunes, and celebrations of the return of Spring. The album combines elements from world music and classical traditions to narrate poems, tales, legends, and sonnets from Sweden, Ireland, Scotland, France and more.

12 years after his album entitled ‘Italian Virtuosi of the Chitarrone’ (BIS-1899), Jakob Lindberg returns to his magnificent theorbo, specially built for him by the luthier Michael Lowe, based on an instrument preserved in the Musée de la Musique in Paris. One of the most spectacular instruments of the early baroque owing to its length and great number of strings, the theorbo was originally designed to accompany the voice, but is also ideally suited to solo performance. For this disc, Lindberg has chosen pieces by Robert de Visée, one of the great French masters of the lute, theorbo and guitar repertoire and a favourite of Louis XIV.

Discover Johanna Domotor's newly interpreted sound combination, in which flute and string orchestra merge musically. The flutist Johanna Domotor not only shines in dizzying passages, she also juggles virtuously between original works and arrangements, between arranged baroque music and early modern music. The album captures the diversity of 20th century music and presents three world premiere recordings of famous composers such as Shostakovich, Arnold and Stravinsky. The collaboration with the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra enhances the auditory experience, as Johanna Domotor and the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra also make their long-standing musical friendship audible outside the concert hall with this album.

For the first time in the nearly 40-year history of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, the saxophone takes center stage this year. This has been made possible by Asya Fateyeva, who over the past decade has brought the instrument from its jazz and pop niche into the classical world, even making it respectable there. She showcases the impressive versatility of her instrument as a portrait artist at the SHMF in 17 concerts in July and August. Her new album "To the Muse" will also be released on May 17, 2024, on Berlin Classics.

17th May will see the release of Lucassen & Soeterboek's Plan Nine album 'The Long-Lost Songs' via Music Theories Recordings / Mascot Label Group. It was the early nineties, and musical polymath Arjen Lucassen had begun working on several projects: a solo album, a progressive-rock opera and a rock album. Around this time, he watched singer Robert Soeterboek perform live with Bodine, his former early-eighties heavy metal band. "His vocals truly impressed me, a rarity!" Lucassen recalls. "He had the charisma and power of singers like David Coverdale and Robert Plant. Discovering that we really got along personally, we decided to collaborate on some songs, just for fun."

Music developed relentlessly in the tense environment of the 19th century. Many composers broke away from firmly established conventions, taking ever greater liberties and forming a counterpart to the industrial and technical revolutions taking place at the same time. Singer Pur traces that arc of tension in this programme, in which the individual composers no doubt differed widely in their attitudes to faith and spirituality. Anton Bruckner, known for his almost childishly blind faith, probably struggled far less with his attitude towards God than composers such as Franz Liszt or Max Reger.