These rarely heard works offer listeners an introduction to very different aspects of Respighi's orchestral oeuvre. The mighty "Metamorphoseon", a breathtaking symphonic interpretation of Bach's C minor Passacaglia, a suite on themes by Rossini as well as the world premiere recording of an early burlesque are performed by the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra, conducted by George Hanson.

This is the first recording of Norbert Burgmüller’s symphonic legacy. This little-known composer studied with Spohr and Hauptmann and his compositions were endorsed by Schumann and Brahms.

Felix Draeseke’s works immediately reveal that he was a glowing admirer of Liszt and Wagner and a remarkably gifted creator of expressive harmonic designs and far-ranging melodic lines. Here Draeseke accomplished the feat of combining these powerful expressive means with classical forms. MDG is now rereleasing Draeseke’s Sinfonia Tragica, Piano Concerto, and Symphony No. 1 in a special edition featuring performances by the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra in the historic Wuppertal Hall. The first release marked a discographic milestone.

Dabringhaus & Grimm has already issued an excellent Bruch disc that couples the Second Symphony with the Third Violin Concerto and this collection of pieces is indeed very welcome. The Swedish Dances had not been hitherto recorded since Kurt Masur's set on Philips and Hanson compares well with that excellent version. There is brilliant colour and energy in the music that is well portrayed and brought out by this orchestra.

Czech composer Reicha's modern fame rests almost solely on his being the creator of the wind quintet, of which he composed more than 20. But he was a keenly imaginative, even experimental composer and theoretician whose omnivorous curiosity encompassed a vivid sense of humor. Like most Czech musicians, he had a special skill in writing for wind instruments, but he was also interested in such "modern" effects as quarter-tones, bi-tonality, and complex rhythms. The Overture in D, for example, is composed entirely in 5/8 time, and its lopsided rhythm really sounds like Mozart with a limp. All of the music on this delightful disc will thrill fans of the classical period–there really was more to it than Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.

Odradek Records is delighted to present the complete Beethoven Piano Concertos performed by Artur Pizarro and the Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal under the baton of Julia Jones. This is a recording not to be missed: Artur Pizarros interpretations are renowned internationally for their insight and nuance, and this album represents for Pizarro and his fellow musicians a very personal labour of love, especially when overcoming the obstacles of the pandemic in order to record together. The majesty, power and innovation of the Beethoven Piano Concertos is contrasted with a selection of solo pieces by Beethoven; Romances and Rondos that round off the release with irresistible intimacy. On this recording Artur Pizarro plays Bechstein grand pianos kindly provided by Bechstein. Artur Pizarro has recorded a series of highly-acclaimed albums with Odradek, including the complete Rachmaninov piano music, and Lebensreise, a disc of music by Robert Schumann, for which Pizarros playing was praised as: soft as velvet, but muscular and virtuoso if necessary technique and virtuosity are unconditionally at the service of the composers intentions (Klassiek Centraal). Pizarro also performed the Poulenc Piano Concerto with the Beethoven Philharmonie and Thomas Rsner on the album Couleurs, praised in Gramophone magazine: Pizarro seems delighted to meet the score on its own terms, turning in a performance of considerable sensitivity and subtlety.

Many composers and compositions have yet to receive a fair hearing in the concert hall. Carl Eberwein and Georg Benda, famous composers during their own times, and their fantastic melodramas Proserpina and Ariadne are two cases in point. “A colourful effusion of sensibility… truly outstanding.“ (BBC Music Magazine)