The UA Blog - Press Centre

VALENTINA CIARDELLI LAUNCHES SOLO DOUBLE BASS RECORDINGS ON ULYSSES ARTS: BEETHOVEN PATHÉTIQUE SONATA ANDANTE CANTABILE, 16 DEC 2020; QUESTI CAZZI DI BICORDO: 28 JAN 2021; PUCCINI VISSI D'ARTE: 19 MAR; MASCAGNI, CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA INTERMEZZO: 2 APR

18/11/2020

Ulysses Arts launches double bass player Valentina Ciardelli's recording of the Andante Cantabile from Beethoven's Pathétique Sonata in celebration of the great composer's birthday on 16 December 2020. This is the first of a series of singles Ulysses Arts is releasing, recording during the Pandemic, including Valentina's arrangements and her own original compositions, with Questi cazzi di bicordo - a vituoso double-stopping extravaganza for double bass - released on 28 January 2021, Vissi d'arte from Puccini's Tosca on 19 March and the Intermezzo from Mascagni's Cavalleria rustivana on 2 April.

Coming soon: Igor, Valentina's tribute to Stravinsky, on 11 June, and A Bunch of ... on 2 July.

Click above to download on iTunes

Releasing on 11 June: click above to pre-order in high definition sound from Qobuz

Releasing on 2 July: click above to pre-order in high definition sound from Qobuz

Questi cazzi di bicordo on Apple Music's Contemporay Classical playlist

Vissi d'arte on Apple Music's New in Classical playlist

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

OTHER STREAMING LINKS

BEETHOVEN
ANDANTE CANTABILE

DEEZER

YOUTUBE

QOBUZ

AMAZON MUSIC

CIARDELLI
QUESTI CAZZI DI BICORDO

DEEZER

YOUTUBE

QOBUZ

AMAZON MUSIC

PUCCINI
VISSI D'ARTE

QOBUZ

APPLE MUSIC

DEEZER

YOUTUBE

AMAZON MUSIC

MASCAGNI CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA INTERMEZZO

DEEZER

YOUTUBE

QOBUZ

AMAZON MUSIC

https://www.valentinaciardelli.com

ANNEKE SCOTT AND BENEDICT PREECE: J.S. BACH CHORALE PRELUDES FOR CORNO DA TIRARSI AND ORGAN RELEASING ON 11 DECEMBER 2020

18/11/2020

Click above to download on iTunes

Ulysses Arts is delighted to release a new recording of J.S.Bach's music re-imagined for corno da tirarsi and organ performed by Anneke Scott (corno da tirarsi) and Benedict Preece (organ).

The 2020 Pandemic saw Anneke Scott work her way through all of Bach’s chorales on her corno da tirarsi as part of a project she entitled “Corno Not Corona”. Out of this was sparked the idea of a collaboration with organist Benedict Preece in which the pair would re-configure a number of Bach Chorale Preludes incorporating the corno da tirarsi on the chorale melodies.

The recording is a testament to the many ways in which musicians have had to be resourceful and resilient in this most testing of years for the arts. The two musicians recorded their contributions in isolation, with Benedict performing the organ part using Hauptwerk, a state-of-the-art virtual instrument. Hauptwerk contains high quality samples of some of the finest organs in the world and each stop is relayed through the software to enable organists to play the chosen organ from any location. For this recording Benedict selected the Muller organ of St. Bavo Church, Haarlem.

Matching a “virtual” instrument is Anneke’s “hypothetical” corno da tirarsi (made by Egger in Switzerland). The corno da tirarsi has been a conundrum for many years. Bach wrote for the instrument but no instrument appears to survive. Normally Bach writes for the corno da tirarsi doubling soprano chorale melodies in his cantata, hence it feeling like an appropriate instrument to incorporate in his chorale preludes.

TRACK LISTING

Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g’mein, BWV 734
“Jesus bleibet meine Freude" (Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring) from Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben BWV 147
Wo soll ich fliehen hin, BWV 646
Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn, BWV Anh.55
Wir Christenleut hab'n jetzund Freud, BWV 710
Fantasia super “Christ lag in Todes Banden”, BWV 695
Meine Seele erhebt den Herren, BWV 648
‘ Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645
Fantasia super 'Valet will ich dir geben', BWV 735

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ON ITUNES

OTHER STREAMING LINKS

APPLE MUSIC

DEEZER

YOUTUBE

QOBUZ

AMAZON MUSIC

Featured on Spotify Classical New Releases and Apple Music Bach and the Baroque playlists

https://www.annekescott.com/bach-chorale-preludes

Total playing time 27 minutes; UPC 5054526239067

BAROQUE JEWELRY FROM VIOLINIST MAXIMILANE NORWOOD, LAUNCHING ON 4 DECEMBER 2020

1/11/2020

CLICK HERE TO STREAM ON SPOTIFY

Download on iTunes with digital booklet at https://music.apple.com/album/baroque-jewelry-ep/1539985694

This album of music for Baroque violin establishes a link between music and fine art. The Baroque’s symmetry in architecture and way of life characterizes the music and the cover of this album.

The almost exactly symmetrical alleyway depicts Baroque violinist Maximiliane Norwood in the middle of the composition. She strives to connect music, fine art, and rhetoric. The result is a performance for all artistic senses.

TRACK LISTING

1. Tomaso Albinoni (1671–1751): Sonata in D Minor, Op. 4 No. 1: I. Adagio

2. Antonio Bertali (1605–1669): Ciaccona in C Major

3. Elisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre (1665–1729): Violin Sonata No. 2 in D Major: II. Adagio

4. Andrea Falconieri (ca. 1585–1656): Il Primo Libro di Canzone: Brando dicho el Melo;
Corriente dicha la Mota, echa para Don Pedro dela Mota

5. Giovanni Battista Fontana (1589–1630): Violin Sonata No. 2 in D Major

Tracks 1–4: Maximiliane Norwood (Baroque Violin), Jacopo Sabina (Theorbo)
Track 5: Maximiliane Norwood (Baroque Violin), Cornelia Demmer (Theorbo), Chloé de Guillebon (Virginal)

Featured on Apple Music's Bach and the Baroque playlist

DOWNLOAD OR
STREAM ON QOBUZ

STREAM ON DEEZER

YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_loIkTOZMHg0EVt4MoOZHc1aL2DUlMGBkM

UPC: 5054526304741

MAYA MUSIC AND ULYSSES ARTS PRESENT SACHA PUTTNAM SPIRIT OF CINEMA WITH THE CLASSIC FILM ORCHESTRA ALBUM RELEASE: 6 NOVEMBER 2020

29/10/2020

Cinema has always been a part of Sacha Puttnam’s life, his dad being the iconic and multi-award winning producer David Puttnam whose films have won 10 Oscars and 25 BAFTAS. Living, breathing and absorbing a world where he was surround by filmmakers, illustrious composers and music producers such as Mark Knopfler, Michael Kamen and George Fenton Sacha’s obvious aptitude for music flourished.

Mentored by the likes of legendary film composer Vangelis (Chariots of Fire, Blade Runner) and Quincy Jones (Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis), Sacha studied at Boston’s Berklee College of Music and then Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Conservatory where he conducted Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony at the Bolshoi Hall on Christmas Day, 1991.

Sacha has scored over 30 films with prestigious directors including Robert Lepage and John Pilger. For long term collaborator director John Drydon Sacha created the soundtracks to several multi-award winning BBC Radio 4 dramas such as A Suitable Boy and Bleak House. Along with a successful career in classical composition and film, Sacha was the long-standing keys and sometimes bass player for the multi-platinum selling band Bush and his best friend, front man Gavin Rossdale, headlining Woodstock in 1999 to 250,000 fans. Sacha has written and arranged for, and collaborated with, numerous big names in the pop and rock world, including Sia, Marcela Detroit (of Shakespeare’s Sister fame) Reef, Regina Spektor, and Andy Taylor. He released an album in 2005 entitled Remasterpiece on EMI Classics and has written for and featured on hundreds of other records including favourites on Café Del Mar.

"I’m thrilled to share my musical tributes to the iconic film scores I grew up around. I know the melodies will resonate with many and I hope that bringing the orchestra to the electronic will enable many more to get to know and love them,” says Sacha. “This album has allowed me to thank and honour [the] great musicians who generously gave their time and shared their knowledge, inspiring my path as a composer.”

You could say Sacha was destined to create Spirit of Cinema, with his background in film and sensitive ear his versions of these classic film score pieces for piano and orchestra not only do the originals justice, but bring a fresh new perspective to these varied genres of music. You can hear more on Sacha’s experience growing up around these films and artists and of course the music in the accompanying podcast, Spirit of Cinema available on all podcast platforms.

SPIRIT OF CINEMA TRACKLIST

• Love’s Theme by Giorgio Moroder for his Oscar winning score for Midnight Express (1978)
• Sailing Homeward by Donovan for the Pied Piper (1972)
• Chariots of Fire form Vangelis’ Oscar winning score for Chariots of Fire (1981)
• War of the Buttons Suite from Rachel Portman’s score for the film War of the Buttons (1994)
• First of May by The Bee Gees for the film Melody (1971)
• Gabriel’s Theme by Ennio Morricone for The Mission (1986) which combines two pieces form the score (The Falls and Gabriel’s Oboe) and for which Morricone won the BAFTA and Golden Globe for his score.
• Londonderry Air, which is a folk song from 1913 used by George Fenton for the film Memphis Belle (1980)
• Eric’s Theme by Vangelis for Chariots of Fire (1981)
• Theme from Midnight Express (Istanbul) by Giorgio Moroder for Midnight Express (1978)
• The Confessional by Sacha Puttnam for Le Confessional (1995): Sacha’s original score
• Going Home by Mark Knopfler for Local Hero (1983)
• Boy’s Burial by Mike Oldfield for The Killing Fields (1984)

Sacha currently is working on a documentary film on the life of Bauhaus trained designer and architect Marcel Breuer, a BBC Radio 4 drama, a podcast for Audible, and an Irish period drama. His next release with The Classic Film Orchestra and Ulysses Arts is Abraham's Theme by Vangelis, from Chariots of Fire, on 26 February 2021.

DOWNLOAD ON ITUNES or STREAM ON APPLE MUSIC

DOWNLOAD OR STREAM ON AMAZON MUSIC

DOWNLOAD IN HD SOUND OR STREAM ON QOBUZ

STREAM ON SPOTIFY

STREAM ON DEEZER

MORE INFORMATION

https://sachaputtnam.com
https://mayamusic.co.uk
https://www.spiritofcinema.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/events/967086123773285

Interviews and Review Requests
Sacha Taylor-Cox / [email protected] / 07957 338525
Sullevan Archer / [email protected] / 07837 973878

CHARIOTS OF FIRE AND ABRAHAM'S THEME BY VANGELIS ARRANGED BY SACHA PUTTNAM, WITH THE CLASSIC FILM ORCHESTRA - LAUNCHED ON 23 OCTOBER 2020 AND 26 FEBRUARY 2021

14/10/2020

Downland on iTunes: CLICK ABOVE

With this heartfelt homage to his mentor, Vangelis, and his Oscar winning score for the film Chariots of Fire, Sacha Puttnam brings this timeless Olympic anthem to The Classic Film Orchestra with his tender touch on the piano.

Sacha comments: ‘I met Vangelis aged eleven in his studio where I returned every day to learn not only music, but about life and art.’ This music will appeal to those nostalgic for the films, film scores and music of the eighties, but also to a younger audience, inquisitive to learn more about classical music and soundtracks.

Chariots of Fire was the final pre-release prior to the launch of Spirit of Cinema, Sacha Puttnam's full album of piano and orchestra arrangements of great film scores, on Friday 6 November, including music by Vangelis, Ennio Morricone, Giorgio Moroder, The Bee Gees, Donovan, Mark Knopfler, Rachel Portman and Mike Oldfield.

About Sacha Puttnam

Cinema has always been a part of Sacha Puttnam’s life, his dad being the iconic and multi-award
winning producer David Puttnam whose films have won 10 Oscars and 25 BAFTAS. Living, breathing and absorbing a world where he was surround by filmmakers, illustrious composers and music producers such as Mark Knopfler, Michael Kamen and George Fenton Sacha’s obvious aptitude for music flourished. Having been mentored by the likes of legendary film composer Vangelis (Chariots of Fire, Blade Runner) and Quincy Jones (Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis), Sacha studied at Boston’s Berklee College of Music and then Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Conservatory where he conducted Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony at the Bolshoi Hall on Christmas Day, 1991.

Sacha has scored over 30 films with prestigious directors including Robert Lepage and John Pilger. For long term collaborator director John Drydon Sacha created the soundtracks to several multi-award winning BBC Radio 4 dramas such as A Suitable Boy and Bleak House. Along with a successful career in classical composition and film, Sacha was the long-standing keys and sometimes bass player for the multi-platinum selling band Bush and his best friend, front man Gavin Rossdale, headlining Woodstock in 1999 to 250,000 fans. Sacha has written and arranged for, and collaborated with, numerous big names in the pop and rock world, including Sia, Marcela Detroit (of Shakespeare’s Sister fame) Reef, Regina Spektor, and Andy Taylor. He released an album in 2005 entitled Remasterpiece on EMI Classics and has written for and featured on hundreds of other records including favourites on Café Del Mar.

Following Chariots of Fire, Sacha Puttnam launched Abraham's Theme, his next Vangelis release with The Classic Film Orchestra, on 26 February 2021.

Download on iTunes or stream on Apple Music

Abraham's Theme on Apple Music Playlists

The A-List

New in Classical

Classical Chill

Classical Concentration

Chariots of Fire - links

Spotify Album URI spotify:album:5e2UQutDh0uGpYqLbdOncb
Spotify Album URL: http://open.spotify.com/album/5e2UQutDh0uGpYqLbdOncb
Spotify Track URI: spotify:track:70ro82XapxkjBCnAPNLjaq
Spotify Track URL: http://open.spotify.com/track/70ro82XapxkjBCnAPNLjaq

iTunes URL: https://music.apple.com/album/chariots-of-fire-from-chariots-of-fire-single/1535227141
Apple Music URL: https://music.apple.com/album/chariots-of-fire-from-chariots-of-fire-single/1535227141
Album Apple ID: 1535227141

Deezer: https://deezer.page.link/cqf3S7CcN9fGeMLr6

YouTube: https://youtu.be/sNnD6AkZ5U4

BÜYÜKADA ENSEMBLE İSTANBUL CONCERT: WARLOCK - DEBUSSY - SAYGUN - SCHOENBERG: SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2020

9/9/2020

LIVE BROADCAST ON YOUTUBE
https://youtu.be/mWMkZRSVvko

After last year's sold-out Büyükada Ensemble concert for Istanbul Biennial, its musicians, from the Turkish National Youth Philharmonic Orchestra / Türkiye Gençlik Filarmoni Orkestrası, London's Royal College of Music and Guildhall School of Music & Drama, and Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg, returned to perform a live-streamed concert from San Pacifico Church, Büyükada, Istanbul, conducted by James Ross, and recorded for broadcast by TRT3:

Warlock, Capriol Suite
Debussy, Danse sacrée et danse profane
(Yonca Atar, harp)
Saygun, Allegretto: Partita for Solo 'Cello
(Lale Efendiev 'cello)
Schoenberg, Verklärte Nacht

LIVE STREAMING LINK:
https://youtu.be/mWMkZRSVvko

The concert took place during European Mobility Week, and is supported by Delegation of the European Union in Turkey, Adalar Belediyesii and İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi, in partnership with Ulysses Arts.

The performance lasted 75 minutes including pre-recorded messages from the EU Ambassador to Turkey and Adalar Municipality Mayor, and was watched one more than 20,000 separate devices worldwide. The performances are being released digitally by Ulysses Arts, starting with Warlock Capriol Suite on 18 December 2020 and Debussy, Danse sacrée et danse profane on 12 March 2021, on all main streaming services.

Download Warlock Capriol Suite on iTunes

Releasing on 12 March 2021. Click above to pre-order on iTunes, with digital booklet in English and Turkish

Stream Warlock Capriol Suite and Debussy, Danse sacrée et danse profane on Spotify

Cowboy and Preacher film soundtrack releasing on 11 September 2020

22/8/2020

Ulysses Arts releases Richard Quesnel's soundtrack to Cowboy and Preacher, on iTunes/Apple Music, Spotify and all main digital service providers on Friday 11 September. Cowboy and Preacher is a documentary film exploring environmentalism and religion in the USA through the life of Tri Robinson. Directed by Will Fraser, the film is released on 15 September 2020.

Discover more about Cowboy and Preacher at https://cowboyandpreacher.com

Album Details

Performers:
Hélène Callonnec - violin
Matthieu Langlet - clarinet
Jacques-Alexis Marcon - double bass
Richard Quesnel - keyboard
Antoine Scaviner - guitar

Spotify:
URI: spotify:album:2YGsTftyHPsCzn9pnrXmnw
URL: http://open.spotify.com/album/2YGsTftyHPsCzn9pnrXmnw

Richard Quesnel: Spotify
URI: spotify:artist:4Olirp5DHFhWwezZPxaGjD
URL: http://open.spotify.com/artist/4Olirp5DHFhWwezZPxaGjD

iTunes:
URL: https://music.apple.com/album/cowboy-preacher-life-times-tri-robinson-original-motion/1528599024?ls=1&app=itunes
Apple Music:
URL: https://music.apple.com/album/cowboy-preacher-life-times-tri-robinson-original-motion/1528599024?ls=1
Album Apple ID: 1528599024

Qobuz:
https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/cowboy-and-preacher-the-life-and-times-of-tri-robinson-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-richard-quesnel-with-helene-callonnec-matthieu-langlet-jacques-alexis-marcon-antoine-scaviner/rj2vf5k30xtdb

UPC 505452601229
Post-producting and mastering: Mark Hodgkin
Artwork adaptation: Hannah Whale / Fruition Creative Concepts

Claraliz Mora sings 'Je dis' from Bizet's Carmen - live from Xalapa, Mexico

20/8/2020

Mexican soprano Claraliz Mora's performance of Bizet's aria 'Je dis que rien ne m'épouvante' from Act Three of Carmen is released digitally by Ulysses Arts on 14 August 2020.

This live recording comes from a staged performance with the Xalapa Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Lanfranco Marcelletti, in November 2019.

Claraliz Mora describes her experience performing Micaela:

'Performing the role of Micaela, debuting it, was a team experience. It was thanks to the effort and hard work of many, many, people, that this wonderful opera Carmen could be made and performed. Especially thanks to Armando Mora, the leader of this project, the University of Xalapa, and conductor Lanfranco Marcelletti, that this beautiful creative project was accomplished. For me, it was just AN HONOUR to be part of this team. As an artist, when you get to do what you love, it's not work - it's a connection to something higher than yourself, and you cannot help but be grateful.

This aria is about a young woman who goes to a dangerous place to seek out and "save" the person she loves. Love is what drives her - what drives her past her fears - past her fear even of death. And this is exactly what art teaches us in this moment that we are living: it can be a fearful time, not knowing what to expect, what will happen, BUT you never should lose faith, and never should lose hope. Love is always there. It is a beacon.'

Release Details

Orquesta Sinfónica de Xalapa conducted by Lanfranco Marcelletti Jr.
Download on iTunes or stream on Apple Music::
https://music.apple.com/album/carmen-act-3-no-22-je-dis-que-rien-ne-m%C3%A9pouvante-live/1525680774
Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/6jWFEHYaWCU5Yg03UxBYIp
YouTube: https://youtu.be/wbp9qBBs0JU
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/track/1037154782
Qobuz:https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/carmen-act-3-no-22-je-dis-que-rien-ne-mepouvante-claraliz-mora/cja4kpzzr0eac
Post-production: John Croft / Chiaro Audio (http://chiaro-audio.uk)
Cover design: Christian Bubenheim
UPC: 5054526850842 / https://www.facebook.com/events/2888369068062467

Anton Rosputko releases debut recording of Chopin, Piano Sonata No. 3, on 28 August

10/8/2020

Latvian pianist and Vienna resident Anton Rosputko releases his debut recording, of Chopin, Piano Sonata No. 3 in B Minor, Op. 58, on 28 August 2020.

Anton Rosputko was born in Jūrmala (Latvia) in 1993. Interntional awards include 1st Prize, Gradus ad Parnassum Competition (Kaunas, Lithuania); Third Open Russian Competition in Kaliningrad, 2nd Prize, Virtuosi per musica di pianoforte, Ústí nad Labem (Czech Republic), 3rd Prize; Schumer Prize in Enschede (Netherlands), 2nd Prize (2007) and 1st Prize (2010) at the Jūrmala International Competition. His main mentors have been Tatyana Pavlyuchenko, Jānis Maļeckis, Pavel Gililov and Boris Petrushansky.

Anton Rosputko received a Latvian Ministry of Culture prize in 2005, 2006 and 2008, as well as a Latvian 'Recognition Award' in 2009. In 2012 he received the Hübel Foundation Scholarship. He is a prize-winner of the Mozarteum International Summer Academy (Salzburg, Austria, 2009), including performing in the Salzburg Festival.

Anton has also taken part in masterclasses with Armen Babakhanian, Arkadiy Sevidov, Pavel Gililov, Sergej Maltsev, Anatol Ugorski, Peter Tacács, Jacques Rouvier, Matti Raekallio, Siegfried Mauser, Wolfgang Manz, Boris Petrushansky and Denis Proshayev.

Anton Rosputko was a participant of the Kaunas Festival in Lithuania in 2006 and 2010. As a soloist with orchestra he has performed with the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra and Normunds Vaicis, Sinfonia Concertante Orchestra with Andris Vecumnieks, Kaunas City Orchestra and Modestas Pitrenas, Liepāja Symphony, and Amber Sound Orchestra with Tadeusz Wojciechowski. Anton Rosputko has performed widely in Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Italy, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and the Netherlands. Performance venues include the Great Hall and the Vienna Hall of the Mozarteum Foundation, Solitär Hall of the Mozarteum University, Great Concert Hall of the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich, Great Hall of the University of Music and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Theatre Leipzig, the Concert Hall of Kaliningrad Philharmoniс Society, Great Hall of Kaunas State Philharmonic Society; the Small Guild, Riga House of Moscow, Great Hall of Latvian National Opera and Dzintari Concert Hall.

Release Details

Download:
iTunes: https://music.apple.com/album/chopin-piano-sonata-no-3-in-b-minor-op-58-ep/1525608771
Amazon Music: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chopin-Piano-Sonata-No-minor/dp/B08DX55S8Y

Stream:
Spotify:
http://open.spotify.com/album/4GuBmUalvuWpUreNQYvmZk

Deezer:
https://deezer.page.link/PLaZodrDaSTZbB9G6

Qobuz:
https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/chopin-piano-sonata-no-3-in-b-minor-op-58-anton-rosputko/ydx2ojolfbqta

Recording Engineer: Sascha Tekale
Apple Digital Masters Certification: John Croft
- Chiaro Audio
UPC 5054526851603

YouTube:
1st movement - https://youtu.be/T0JOWEXxq4c
2nd movement - https://youtu.be/yMAA93OrKds
3rd movement - https://youtu.be/UYoZY9_-gY0
4th movement - https://youtu.be/b2xUK-0Hc1c

Featured on Spotify's Classical New Releases playlist

Thomas Kelly Debut Releases - Liszt, Chopin and Schumann on Ulysses Arts

31/7/2020

Ulysses Arts is delighted to release pianist Thomas Kelly's debut recordings, starting with Liszt, Rhapsodie espagnole, on 21 August 2020. Chopin Nocturne in D-flat Op. 27 No. 2 follows on 4 September, and Schumann's Toccata Op. 7 on 25 September.

James Ross, director of Ulysses Arts, comments:

'It is a great pleasure to be launching Thomas Kelly's debut recording with Ulysses Arts on Friday 21 August, of Liszt's Rhapsodie espagnole. I first met Thomas when judging the The Purcell School's Senior Concerto Competition a few years back. He played Brahms' Second Piano Concerto. Beforehand I was sceptical about the likelihood of a 17-year old pianist being ready musically to interpret this work, however technically impressive or promising they were. I was wrong: Thomas' performance was utterly convincing and he won the first prize amongst a field of excellent finalists crowded with talent.

Since then I have had the pleasure of performing Rachmaninov PIano Concerto No. 1 with Thomas, and of hearing him continue to develop as a musician - it is therefore hugely exciting now to be releasing his work.'

Thomas is currently studying at the Royal College of Music in London with Andrew Ball. His three single releases will be followed by a full album in 2021, including music by Sibelius, Prokofiev, Reubke and Tippett.

Release Information:
Liszt, Rhapsodie espagnole
https://www.facebook.com/events/945394305932960
https://music.apple.com/album/rhapsodie-espagnole-s-254-ep/1525770489
Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/7pDQ4wb98i1lx8EwXKkDNr
YouTube: https://youtu.be/KAcESj3VjcQ
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/en/album/164225212
Qobuz: https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/rhapsodie-espagnole-s-254-thomas-kelly/lqra86btae4cc
UPC 5054526852310

Chopin, Nocturne in D-flat Op. 27 No. 2
Apple Music and iTunes: https://music.apple.com/album/nocturnes-op-27-ii-lento-sostenuto-in-d-flat-major-single/1525771498
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1oidvTusUJTkVoz9Q3Pg9M
Deezer: https://deezer.page.link/JvqjX4bTefmFFWNE6
YouTube: https://youtu.be/O22MWZlMFRE
Qobuz: https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/nocturnes-op-27-ii-lento-sostenuto-in-d-flat-major-thomas-kelly/inren9m2aifgb
UPC 5054526852679

Schumann, Toccata Op. 27
Apple Music and iTunes: https://music.apple.com/album/toccata-op-7-single/1525771268
Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/7dUsPPgXmrDGMMZVcZV4HG
Deezer: https://deezer.page.link/M6Dg17iyvUPB3t9S8
YouTube: https://youtu.be/6v5ARQFyxr4
Qobuz: https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/toccata-op-7-thomas-kelly/b60joy8dbdhza
UPC 5054526852686

Nafis Umerkulova's album Darkness illuminated - Scriabin and Stanchinsky

16/10/2019

Ulysses Arts launches Darkness illuminated by Uzbek pianist Nafis Umerkulova in September 2019. The album sets piano works of eccentric enigmatic genius Alexander Scriabin alongside those of his rarely heard contemporary, Aleksey Stanchinsky.

Stanchinsky’s extraordinary talent was noticed at an early age. He was invited to study with Sergei Taneyev, a teacher of Rachmaninov, Scriabin and Medtner. Many believed Stanchinsky was destined to become a great Russian composer, however his untimely death at the age of 26 put an early end to his creative genius, Medtner dedicated his Three Pieces Op. 31 to the memory of Stanchinsky.

Scriabin’s Preludes Op.16 from “Darkness illuminated” reflect his fascination at the time with the music of Chopin, whereas his Fourth Sonata Op.30 and Two Poems Op.32 are among the highlights of Scriabin’s artistic input. Stanchinsky’s Sonata in E-flat minor pays homage to Scriabin, and is one of the forgotten jewels of twentieth century piano sonata repertoire.

Nafis Umerkulova comments: ‘Scriabin’s music has been my lifelong passion; I discovered Stanchinsky’s works some years ago and immediately fell in love with them. The music I chose for this album was written within a 17-year time span; my intention was to draw parallels between the works and to demonstrate how the style of each composer evolved over this period. Illuminating, through my vision, a creative chapter from the lives of Scriabin and Stanchinsky, I hope to connect the listener more closely with this beautiful music.’

A prize-winner of national and international competitions, Nafis Umerkulova, was the first musician from Uzbekistan to be awarded a full scholarship to study at the Purcell School as well as at the Royal Academy of Music and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Nafis is also a recipient of the prestigious Myra Hess Award by Help Musician’s UK. She has performed in venues such as the Wigmore Hall, Purcell Room, Birmingham Symphony and Town Halls, Manchester Bridgewater Hall and Glasgow City Halls.

Apple ITunes Link

https://music.apple.com/album/darkness-illuminated-nafis-umerkulova-plays-piano-music/1479182364

Qobuz

https://www.qobuz.com/gb-en/album/darkness-illuminated-nafis-umerkulova-plays-piano-music-by-scriabin-and-stanchinsky-nafis-umerkulova/mozq7331o76za

Preview Video Links

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKoEP4kFK_E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL5gQZRARiw

CANADIAN ARTISTS RELEASE RICHARD STRAUSS LIEDER RECORDING ON ITUNES

8/8/2016

Ulysses Arts is delighted to announce the launch today of Canadian mezzo-soprano Wallis Giunta and pianist Carson Becke's debut recording of Richard Strauss Lieder. An iTunes and Apple Music exclusive, it can be downloaded at https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/richard-strauss-lieder/id1140917604 and corresponding sites worldwide.

The Lieder were all recorded in the beautiful rural venue of Venturing Hills Concert Studio, north of Ottawa. They are some of Strauss earliest mature songs, written between 1885 and 1887, when in his early 20s - his Opus 10, 15 and 17. They include all-time favourites 'Zueignung' and 'Allerseelen', both from Opus 10, amongst a treasury of impassioned songs.

Lyric mezzo Wallis Giunta is a company soloist at Oper Leipzig, singing roles including Cenerentola, Cherubino and Siébel. In 2016/17, she will debut with Opera North, performing the title role in Rossini’s La Cenerentola, concerts with Munich Radio Orchestra, Symphony Nova Scotia and the Real Orquesta Sinfónica de Sevilla, and will make her recital debut in Vancouver. Wallis will also return to Toronto’s Opera Atelier to debut the title role in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas and to the Toronto Symphony for a new production of Weill’s The Seven Deadly Sins.

Pianist Carson Becke performs as a soloist and chamber musicians, including in Canada, where he is Artistic Director of the Festival Pontiac Enchanté, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland (Verbier Festival), Poland, Latvia, Malta and the Caribbean. He has lived in the UK since 2005, studying at The Purcell School, Royal Academy of Music (Tatiana Sarkissova) and Oxford University, writing a D.Phil on the music of Richard Strauss. This recording is the first of a multi-album project to record Strauss's early piano, chamber and vocal music, including some works for the first time.

Featured on Apple Music's The A-List: Classical playlist

Apple Set To Unveil New Streaming Service To Stop Spotify & TIDAL

8/6/2015

London, Monday 8th June 2015

Apple will today unveil a completely revamped iTunes in an effort to, in one play, own the streaming music market field.

Expected to be launched at the Company’s developer conference in California, the service will combine the existing iTunes framework with a new reincarnation of Beats Music which is acquired at great cost last year. The new service will place streaming at its core, leaving behind the old iTunes ownership model which has flourished and flatlined since 2001.

With 800 million account holders and gazillions of device owners, Apple can get straight into the pockets and inside the pedestrian white headphones of hundreds of millions of already engaged music consumers and could blow Spotify and its 15 million paying subscribers out of the water.

The new music service will incorporate new streaming technology with editorial content from high profile artists and DJs like former Radio 1 frontman Zane Lowe. Expect some smart watch integration and absolutely no U2.

You can stream Apple’s WWDC live here from 18:00 GMT.

Spotify Rival TIDAL Re-Launches Under Jay-Z's Ownership

2/4/2015

Article originally published at kenyonarts.com

TIDAL, the new subscription streaming service owned by Jay-Z, Chris Martin, Daft Punk, Kayne West, Arcade Fire, Alicia Keys and more, launched on Monday night from New York.

What did we learn? Very little. The service, which has been operating for over a year, offers CD quality streaming and HD video and is owned by famous people.

Touted by its star-studded shareholders as a “new movement in music”, the launch of TIDAL offered no insights into….anything about the service.

So, let’s look at what we got from last night’s unveiling (what we already knew):

- There will be no free tier.
TIDAL want you to pay for your music, to value it and so compensate the rights holders for it. To a business like TIDAL, advertising revenues bring in 10% of what subscriptions do (according to Spotify’s numbers) so eliminating the free tier is a more robust model. The problem being of course that Spotify’s number one marketing tool is its free tier, so how will TIDAL get its users? Which brings us onto:

- High resolution audio and video.
Ignoring the endless debates over the discernible improvement in fidelity of high resolution audio, especially when the majority of listeners are doing so on garbage white headphones, TIDAL will offer CD quality streams and offline playback.

- Artist owned.
This is where TIDAL differs from Spotify. Whereas the latter is owned, in part, by the major labels, TIDAL will be owned by the artists mentioned above. Many of the super-wealthy included in this venture own labels themselves, so maybe it’s no different after all.

What will set TIDAL apart with the big name backers is exclusive content – this is where it can drag users from other services and keep them. New content from big names and curated playlists can be to TIDAL what collaborative playlists are to Spotify.
--
TIDAL is not new, only its owners. We shall have to wait and see if the good intentions of its creative shareholders will affect the struggling artists and indies who feel currently underserved by the streaming market.

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