Classical

Blend. is a showcase of South African soloists performing an exciting selection of compositions accompanied by the JMI Orchestra.

1. Wilhelm Popp – Spanisches Concert for Flute Op. 420
Arranged & Conducted by Graham Scott

2. Frederick Chopin – Nocturn in Eb & Mazurka
Arranged by Devereaux Van Der Hoven
Conducted by Graham Scott

3. JB Arthur – Requiem for a Weary Soldier
Arranged & Conducted by JB Arthur

4. Astor Piazzolla – Four Seasons of Buenos Aires
Verano Porteno (Summer), Otono Porteno (Autumn)
Primavera Portena (Spring), Invierno Porteno (Winter)

5. Pedro Iturralde – Pequena Czarda
Conducted by JB Arthur

6. Giovanni Bottesini – Gran Duo Concertante

Meridian Records is thrilled to announce the much anticipated release of “Joesp Cervera-Bret – The Catalan Virtuoso”, which may be purchased from I Musicanti Publishing.

CDE 84626

1. Elejia
2. Romanza
3. Nocturno
4. Reverie
5. Berceuse
6. Recuerdo de Londres
7. Cielo Gris
8. Introducción
9. Fascinación
10. El Carnival de Venecia

Meridian Records is proud to announce this stunning collection of works by Norbert Sprongl (1892-1983), Karl Rankl (1898-1968) and Paul Hindemith (1895-1963) performed by virtuoso double bassist Leon Bosch and his regular duo recital partner Sung-Suk Kang, which may be purchased from I Musicanti Publishing.

CDE 84626

Norbert Sprongl – Sonata No. 2 for Double Bass & Piano Op. 132

1. Allegro moderato
2. Lento
3. Vivace

Paul Hindemith – Sonata for Double Bass & Piano (1949)

4. Allegretto
5. Scherzo
6. Molto Adagio

Karl Rankl – Sonata Concertante for Double Bass & Piano (1957)

7. Moderato
8. Tema con variazone (Andante cantabile)
9. Rondo (Allegro commodo)

Norbert Sprongl – Sonata for Double Bass & Piano Op. 74

10. Allegro
11. Andante cantabile
12. Alegro molto

Meridian Records is proud to announce this stunning collection of works performed by virtuoso double bassist Leon Bosch and his regular duo recital partner Rebeca Omordia, which may be purchased from I Musicanti Publishing.

Leon Bosch has been called the Sherlock Holmes of the double bass. And it is true that he enjoys the detective work involved in tracking down and bringing to light repertoire that has been ignored or lost along the way. But since he has also been responsible for bringing many new pieces into existence and recording them for posterity, he might as well be called its Moriarty and Watson too.

Not all the pieces on this recording were written for Leon, although the majority were. And let’s not think of them as crimes either, even though an element of opportunism may lie behind some of them. Typically, a meeting between composer and performer, perhaps fortuitously after a recital or through some intermediary, will involve a discussion about the possibility of a new piece. Before long, a plan comes together, culminating in a first performance at an event like the International Bass Convention or the Swaledale Festival.

The very variety of music on The 21st Century Double Bass is one consequence of this kind of serendipity: it features music by several composers, writing in their own individual way. If anything connects this music, whether it is triumphant or thorny, playful or haunting, it is the unique expressive character of the instrument. That and the artistry of the performers, of course – it is worth noting that this is the first album Leon has recorded with pianist Rebeca Omordia.

The 21st Century Double Bass follows previous recorded surveys focusing on the British, Russian and Hungarian double bass as well as two volumes of The Virtuoso Double Bass. But with decades of the century remaining and Leon unlikely to stop attracting new pieces any time soon, there will surely be more to follow.

CDE 84655

Robin Walker

1. Turning Towards You

Simon Parkin (World Premiere Recording)

2. December 1
3. December 2
4. December 3
5. December 4
6. December 5

Philip Wood

7. Sonata for Double Bass and Piano

Ivor Hodgson (World Premiere Recording)

8. To the Moon and Back
9. Dawn
10. Sunset
11. Friday Afternoon

David Ellis – Parallel Shadows for Double Bass and Piano (World Premiere Recording)

12. Star-Shine & Candlelight
13. Cloudfall & Morning Rain
14. Tree-Shade & Summer Glow
15. Night-Sound & Meadow Dance

Malcolm Lipkin

16. Invocation

Roxana Panufnik

17. Shosholoza for Double Bass and Piano

Meridian Records is proud to announce this stunning collection of works performed by virtuoso double bassist Leon Bosch and Peter Martens, which may be purchased from I Musicanti Publishing.

Bass-ically Brilliant, my duo with Peter Martens, is one of my most cherished and enduring musical partnerships. We enjoy an inspirational musical rapport, and this recording immortalises our commitment to the extensive available repertoire, and to the composers who write for us.

CDE 84657

Gioachino Rossini
Duetto per violoncello e contrabasso

1. Allegro
2. Andante molto
3. Allegro

Domenico Dragonetti
Duetto per violoncello e contrabasso

4. Adagio
5. Allegro non tanto

Luigi Boccherini
Sonata in B flat,
G.565 for Violoncello and Double Bass

6. Allegro
7. Largo – Allegro – Adagio
8. Larghetto – Adagio – Presto

Allan Stephenson
Sonatina for Violoncello and Double Bass (2004)

9. Allegro energico
10. Siciliana
11. Theme and Variations

Franz Joseph Keyper

12. Rondo Solo for Double Bass and Violoncello

Julius Goltermann (arranged Jörg Baumann)

13. Souvenirs de Bellini (1849)
    für Violoncello und Kontrabass

Niccolò Paganini (arranged Klaus Stoll)

14. Fantasia per Violoncello e contrabbasso

Meridian Records is proud to announce this stunning collection of works performed by virtuoso double bassist Leon Bosch and pianist Rebeca Omordia, which may be purchased from I Musicanti Publishing

For his second release of 2020, Leon Bosch is joined by pianist Rebeca Omordia as he turns to the music of his native South Africa. The South African Double Bass features eight brand new pieces and one transcription, written at Bosch’s request by some of the country’s foremost composers and musicians. The pieces reveal a range of inspirations from Zulu roots, South African jazz, the African landscape….and African.

CDE 84661

Grant McLachlan
Sonatina

1. Abdi
2. Nocturne
3. Fugue

Michael Viljoen

4. Canticles for Peace

Peter Klatzow

5. Isipho

David Earl

6. Nocturne Old Nectar

Paul Hanmer

7. Scratch + pad – and – six

Anton Pieterson

8. From the Heart

Hans Roosenschoon

9. Bepeinsing

Allan Stephenson

10. Some Thoughts on African Beer for Solo Double Bass

Hendrik Hof

11. Preludio E Umdanso