We reveal who’s recording what, and where…
All eyes are on Leeds in September as the International Piano Competition crowns a new champion. Even more people will be able to hear the winner now, thanks to a major new partnership with Warner Classics. The label will release an album of the winner’s final concerto performance – and recital repertoire from other rounds – shortly a er the competition. The recording is a key part of the winner’s prize alongside live engagements and mentoring opportunities.
Leeds isn’t the only new deal for Warner, with the recent announcement of its deal with Opera Rara. The label will begin distributing the company’s new releases in September as well as select titles from its back catalogue. The first new release will be Rossini’s Semiramide, recorded by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Mark Elder with soprano Albina Shagimuratova and mezzo Daniela Barcellona in the lead roles. Next up will be the world premiere recording of Donizetti’s L’ange de Nisida and Puccini’s first stage work, Le Villi.
Sony Classical is very highly strung thanks to its latest exclusive signing, Leonidas Kavakos. The Greek violinist has already recorded Brahms Trios with cellist Yo-yo Ma and pianist Emanuel Ax, and moves onto solo repertoire almost immediately with a recording of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto and the complete Bach sonatas and partitas.
South Korean cellist Hee-young Lim is much in demand of late, and we’re told she is fresh out of the studio with the LSO, having recorded Lalo, O enbach, Saint-saëns, Massenet and Milhaud in London.
Meanwhile, in Antwerp, composer Christian Lindberg is preparing to record with the city’s Symphony Orchestra at Queen Elisabeth Hall. He’ll conduct a selection of his own works, including a new piece featuring percussionist Evelyn Glennie.