Franco-Flemish composer Giaches de Wert wrote a considerable amount of sacred music during the late Renaissance, but little of it was published during his lifetime. Only three books of motets were released in 1566 and 1581. Stile Antico's new album introduces us to another side of this composer who, though Flemish-born, spent most of his life in Italy, primarily in Mantua, where he was to remain for the rest of his life, though not without maintaining connections (both musical and, during the mid-late 1580s, romantic) with the court at Ferrara, where the lively musical life must have been a welcome distraction from his not-always-happy existence at the Mantuan court. The unique and dramatic style of these remarkable motets cannot fail to ravish explorers of this 'divine theatre'.

Perspectives is an a cappella ensemble comprising five singers who explore every kind of music, from the Renaissance to jazz and popular song. Their new album, ‘Songs of Experience’, is a journey through emotions and sentiments. ‘This programme enables contemporary ears to grasp the temporal threads that link Tallis to Tavener, a folksong to a song of today, the better to make their perspectives resonate’, says the group’s founder, Geoffroy Heurard.

In this second volume of his Mozart cycle, Menahem Pressler invests the music with a serenity and tenderness rarely attained in this repertory. He allows himself time to breathe, immersing himself in his sonority and giving priority to variety of colour, underlining changes of harmony, and the shaping of each phrase.

“I consider them the best works of my earlier years,” writes Robert Schumann of his three string quartets. Composed in 1842, they embody the jubilant triumph over musical and inner struggle, in which the composer finds himself master of a new era of creativity. The Modigliani Quartet unveils the intimate dialogue within these works, a poetic conversation between the past and the future, where a noble tradition encounters the heights of Romantic expression.

In September 2014, following my request for a meeting, Michael Nyman received me at his London home to discuss the project. He was immediately convinced by this adventure and even offered a few ideas. The outcome of this encounter was total when, after a half-hour’s discussion, he enthusiastically agreed to compose a work for my voice and the viols of the Céladon ensemble. On texts by the Elizabethan poet Robert Herrick, No Time in Eternity provides the title of the programme and became the cornerstone.

I encountered the music of Federico Mompou by chance one day, listening to Radio Clásica as a boy. Unknown to me, so wonderful, so full of unique harmonies, mysterious sonorities, colours, sensuality, ‘swing’, freedom, bells – and imbued with a truth possessed only by folk music. It was Federico Mompou playing his Cançons i Danses.” (Luis Fernando Pérez)

The fruitful partnership between the Alpha label, the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel and the Palazzetto Bru Zane continues with this set of chamber music by Anton Reicha, performed by the musicians of the Chapel, young talents of an exceptionally high standard, ready and willing to take up the challenge of this music.

This new album by the great pianist and composer Alain Lefevre unveils the results of three years of hard work by Jacques Marchand, George Nicholson and Alain Lefevre aimed at restoring Andre Mathieu’s famous Concerto No. 3. Presented as a world premiere in February 2017 in Buffalo, where it was performed by Alain Lefevre and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of the renowned JoAnn Falletta, the reconstituted Concerto No. 3 was enthusiastically received by the audience.

Renowned early music pioneer Sigiswald Kuijken and his Piano Quartet approach Mozart's Piano Quartets K. 478 and K. 493 on this release for Challenge Records. A significant figure in the creation of this genre, Mozart was prompted to write these quartets by a commission from the publisher Franz Anton Hoffmeister, who subsequently declared that K. 478 was too difficult for the amateur market. This performance of the quartets is truly a family affair with Kuijken joined by his daughters Sara and Veronica, along with cellist Michel Boulanger.

Florence Delaage performs the art of transcriptions and paraphrases written by Hans de Bülow and Liszt based upon well-known moments of Wagner's operas. This former pupil of Alfred Cortot and György Cziffra has recently received the medal of honour given by the Sociétés Richard Wagner as well as a Legion of Honour. There are a few pages to discover in this Melism's first album, such as Hans von Bülow's paraphrase on the quintet of the Meistersinger von Nürnberg or brief pages of Wagner himself, especially the Notenbrief für Mathilde Wesendonck.

Jack Johnson returns with his 8th album 'All The Light Above It Too' releasing on 9/8. The album is being led by first single 'My Mind Is For Sale' which will be impacting radio this July, followed by a run of North American tour dates. Jack will also embark on a run of dates in the Southeast following album release. The press anticipation on the music is massive with early support from Rolling Stone, NPR, Coastal Living, Surfer, SiriusXM and forthcoming TV bookings around album release.

American Dream is the long awaited fourth album from LCD Soundsystem. The album is available digitally, and on CD and LP. The first two singles released from the album are "call the police" and "american dream," that moved Pitchfork to rave the songs "couldn't sound timelier" and that "Murphy and company have never sounded so invigorated." The New York Times hailed "call the police" as "a quietly ambitious protest song… except that instead of searing, it motors," and Noisey embraced "american dream" like "a warm blanket." The band debuted both of these tracks on a May, 2017 appearance on Saturday Night Live. The next track and video that followed is "tonite."

Synth-pop pioners OMD return with their dazzling 13th studio album ‘The Punishment of Luxury’ which sees them combine the wistful nostalgia and idealised romance of their previous work while stepping out of their comfort zone. The follow up to the critically acclaimed ‘English Electric’ (released in 2013) ‘The Punishment Of Luxury’ is a daring collection of stylish synth pop and masterful songwriting which will certainly rank alongside their very best.