Laurence Perkins – Voyage of a sea-god (2021) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Laurence Perkins – Voyage of a sea-god (2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 02:24:22 minutes | 2,34 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Hyperion Records

Beginning in 1900 with Richard Henry Walthew and ending in 1999 with David Bedford, the intrepid musical journey undertaken by Laurence Perkins and friends celebrates the extraordinary versatility of the twentieth-century bassoon.

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Laurence Oldak – Scriabin & Zaborov: Dialogue (2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Laurence Oldak – Scriabin & Zaborov: Dialogue (2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:09:00 minutes | 914 MB | Genre: Classical, Piano
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Fuga Libera

Dialogue is the story of a poetic exchange between Laurence Oldak and two composers a century apart: Alexander Scriabin, the centenary of whose death is being commemorated on 14 April 2015, and Kirill Zaborov, a talented contemporary Franco-Russian composer.

This recording has its origin in the encounter between the pianist and the latter, whose music, full of imagery, betrays his Slavic origins and romantic inspiration. In a refined interpretation full of expressiveness, Laurence Oldak thus proposes a ‘Russian alliance’ and invites us to discover four pieces by the young composer – including his Dix Apparitions, which she premiered in November 2012 –, interspersing them with works by Scriabin, including the complete cycle of Huit Études, Op. 42 and the very intense Sonata No. 4, Op. 30.

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Laurence Oldak – Influences (2019) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Laurence Oldak – Influences (2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:12:53 minutes | 1,24 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Klarthe Records

This recital program associates Bach and Chopin – is it therefore unusual? At a first glance, the four musketeers of the romantic generation born around 1810, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Chopin and Liszt, were all marked by the resurrection of Bach’s music, almost completely forgotten until then. We often remark upon the rediscovery of the St Matthew Passion directed by Mendelssohn in 1829 in Berlin, when, in reality, this particular city was one of the rare places where Bach had never really ceased living in the memory of the people, thanks to the tradition of his sons. Nevertheless, the event has a symbolic value and explains a general devotion which would affect all the great romantic musicians (with the exception of Berlioz). Mendelssohn’s oratorios, his preludes and fugues for organ and piano, show this clearly: Schumann, who venerated Bach and considered his music to be “daily bread”, introduced Clara to the Well-Tempered Klavier and composed his Fugues in homage to Bach; in the case of Liszt, he would make transcriptions for the piano and also compose using motifs borrowed from the model. But Chopin? None of his composition was initiated by Bach, and he seems to have only played his works once; a fragment of the Concerto BWV 1063for three keyboards, with Liszt and Hiller. Nevertheless, numerous accounts from his pupils confirm that he considered the Well Tempered Klavier to be essential repertoire. It is therefore in his music itself that one must detect a discreet but lively influence…

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Laurence O’Keefe & Kevin Murphy – Heathers the Musical (Original West End Cast Recording) (2019) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Laurence O’Keefe & Kevin Murphy – Heathers the Musical (Original West End Cast Recording) (2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 01:12:16 minutes | 849 MB | Genre: Soundtrack
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Ghostlight Records

Ghostlight Records has dropped the second single from the upcoming original West End cast recording of Heathers The Musical, which is slated for a March 1 release.

The song “Seventeen,” featuring Carrie Hope Fletcher and Jamie Muscato as Veronica Sawyer and “J.D.” Dean, is accompanied by a music video captured at Livingston Studio and Abbey Road Studios.

Ghostlight released the first single, “I Say No”— a new song written for the London premiere—earlier this month. Both singles are now available on streaming platforms.

Written by Legally Blonde’s Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy, the cult musical premiered Off-Broadway in 2014. The London production incorporated revisions to the script and score, including the addition of new musical material.

“We love when new artists teach us brand-new things about songs we thought we knew. Jamie and Carrie bring enormous empathy and warmth to ‘Seventeen,’ which is a song about hope. This may be our favorite track on the new album,” Murphy and O’Keefe said in a statement.

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Laurence Juber – Downtown (2019) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Laurence Juber – Downtown (2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 47:52 minutes | 444 MB | Genre: Jazz, Guitar
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Hologram Recordings

This latest solo collection from Grammy-winning guitarist Laurence Juber, blends the intricate detail of his fingerstyle guitar arrangements with jazz-inspired improvisation. Recorded in one afternoon session at Hollywood s storied Capitol Studios, the repertoire is drawn from the Great American Songbook , with the bonus of a new Juber original. Downtown is a fusion of styles from both sides of the Atlantic, such as the English Folk- Baroque of John Renbourn and the solo jazz virtuosity of Joe Pass, filtered through Juber s unique guitaristic sensibility. Says LJ I ve played hundreds of sessions as a studio musician at Capitol, and recorded a number of my albums in the historic recording location set below the landmark tower at Hollywood and Vine. This intensive 5 hour session was the most focused of them all, as zing went the strings through a batch of favorite standard songs, with the legendary Al Schmitt engineering.

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Laurence Jones – What’s It Gonna Be (2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Laurence Jones – What’s It Gonna Be (2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 52:07 minutes | 1,13 GB | Genre: Blues Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Ruf Records

All or nothing. For Laurence Jones, it’s an easy choice. In recent times, the hotshot British bandleader has barely stopped for breath. There’s been the release of 2014’s all-conquering second album, Temptation. The triumphant Blues Caravan tour that saw him raise roofs across Europe. The auspicious nod to represent his country at this year’s European Blues Challenge, and the prospect if his performance at the Albert Hall for Lead Belly Fest in June. At this juncture, a less passionate artist might cool their heels and count their royalties. No chance. Saviour of the British blues scene is not a position for part-timers, and in 2015, Laurence is back with his stunning third album, What’s It Gonna Be.

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Laurence Jones – Take Me High (2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Laurence Jones – Take Me High (2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 43:32 minutes | 538 MB | Genre: Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Ruf Records

Britain’s hottest gunslinger. Blues-rock’s most legendary producer. If the hook-up between Laurence Jones and Mike Vernon sounds mouthwatering on paper, just wait until you hear Take Me High. Released in August 2016 on Ruf Records, this fourth album represents a spiritual passing of the baton, with the producer who recorded everyone from Eric Clapton to Peter Green in the ’60s now working with the cream of the new blues generation. “It was a great feeling,” says Laurence, “to know Mike wanted to make this record.” The pair had discussed a collaboration as far back as 2013, but their conflicting schedules had always scuppered the plan. Mike remains much in demand as a producer, and likewise, since last year’s acclaimed What’s It Gonna Be – #18 in The Blues Mag’s 50 Essential Albums Of 2015 – Laurence has barely stopped, playing everywhere from the Royal Albert Hall to Carnegie Hall. But after Mike witnessed an incendiary set at the Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival, he had to clear a space in his diary. “He watched us in the crowd,” recalls the bandleader, “and he said to me, ‘I think the time is right’.”

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Laurence Ipsum – Filigree Works of Sound, Vol. I (2021) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Laurence Ipsum – Filigree Works of Sound, Vol. I (2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 30:25 minutes | 238 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Silent Beat Records

The new album Day conceptually complements last year’s full-length release Night and is the third in the discography of the German pianist. 12 peaceful piano works are united by a common idea to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and the problems of today.

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Laurence Hobgood – When The Heart Dances (2009) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Laurence Hobgood – When The Heart Dances (2009)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 01:04:40 minutes | 2,26 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Naim Records

This album is truly a meeting of three jazz giants: gifted pianist, composer and arranger, Laurence Hobgood, colossus of the double bass, Charlie Haden and Grammy Award winning vocalist, Kurt Elling. Described by Dave Brubeck as “one of the most incredible pianists I have ever heard”, Hobgood has, apart from his solo work, been directing Kurt Elling’s Blue Note (and now Concord) recordings for fifteen year.

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Laurence Hobgood – Left To My Own Devices (2000) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Laurence Hobgood – Left To My Own Devices (2000)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 59:20 minutes | 1,09 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Naim Records

Piano music is cherished here at Naim Label and we couldn’t believe our luck when Ken Christianson persuaded Laurence Hobgood to make a solo recording for us, which also features the Grammy Award winning vocalist Kurt Elling.
An eclectic mix of tunes is featured on this disc, including ‘Do Nothin’ Til You hear From Me’ written by Duke Ellington and Bob Russell, ‘Lovesick Blues’ by Hank Williams and Theloniuos Monk’s ‘Pannonica’.
Hobgood weighs in with ‘The Waltz’ co-written with featured vocalist, the Grammy Award winning Kurt Elling, who sings on this and two other great tracks.
This is a ‘must have’ collection, with something for everyone; beautifully played, sung and recorded and featuring two of the world’s most wonderful instruments – the piano and the human voice.
In 1996 Hobgood joined with Wertico and bassist Brian Torff to form a new trio called Union. Their two releases, both on The Naim Label, were selected as among the top ten jazz recordings of ‘97 and ‘99 by the Chicago Tribune. –Produced by Laurence Hobgood

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Laurence Hobgood – Crazy World (2005/2013) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Laurence Hobgood – Crazy World (2005/2013)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:06:39 minutes | 1,37 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Naim Records

The Laurence Hobgood Trio have perfected their craft through playing with US jazz vocalist Kurt Elling, who appears on two tracks on Crazy World, the trio’s debut album. The ten tracks on the album are a mixture of Laurence’s original compositions and his own arrangements, with one track contribured by Rob Amster. Six times Grammy nominee Kurt Elling makes a guest appearance to provide delicate vocal inspiration on two tracks recorded exclusively for this album.

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Laurence Equilbey, Insula Orchestra – Mozart: Requiem in D Minor, K.626 (2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Laurence Equilbey, Insula Orchestra – Mozart: Requiem in D Minor, K.626 (2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 48:44 minutes | 459 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © naïve classique

Laurence Equilbey’s 2014 Naïve release of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s unfinished Requiem in D minor belongs to the category of historically informed performances, both in the actual execution and in the intentions of the performance. Obviously, presenting the Requiem with her hand-picked choir Accentus, and Insula, a small orchestra that uses original 18th century instruments, defines it as a period interpretation, and all the stylistic norms are observed. From the glossy senza vibrato of the strings to the crisp drum strokes of the timpani, and from the pure, fluid counterpoint of the small choir to the tasteful embellishments of the vocal soloists, everything sounds correct and polished to perfection. Yet Equilbey goes beyond the latest ideas of period practice to something more germane to the historical context, because she uses the oldest performing version that exists, the much-disparaged completion by Franz Xaver Süssmayr. Hearing this version played in authentic Classical style (with only the slightest modifications for better voice-leading and orchestration), it is actually more convincing than several modern revisions, not merely because of the established provenance — we know that Mozart gave instructions to Süssmayr, and presumably, they were followed closely — but because no hypothetical sections or cleverly refashioned movements have been added. Ultimately, Süssmayr’s completion works brilliantly when played well in period style, and the idea that Mozart communicated the essential music to his student seems to be validated in this extraordinary reading. Equilbey has complete control over the performance, and her gradations of dynamics and sectional balance prove that the Süssmayr version can be wonderful when the right artists perform it. Naïve’s sound is a little variable at times, but over all, the balance between the singers and the orchestra is carefully maintained.

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Laurence Equilbey & Insula Orchestra – Magic Mozart (2020) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Laurence Equilbey & Insula Orchestra – Magic Mozart (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:11:17 minutes | 1,27 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Warner Classics

Is Mozart’s music truly magical? Insula orchestra is a firm believer and, to prove the point, offers an original cabaret-style entertainment based on The Magic Flute. Laurence Equilbey and her musicians invite the very best singers of Mozart and, for the second time, Cie 14:20, pioneers of “new magic”. On the Grande Seine stage at La Seine Musicale, magic will take pride of place, be it white, black or red like love.

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Laurence Equilbey – Louise Farrenc: Symphonies Nos 1 & 3 (2021) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Laurence Equilbey – Louise Farrenc: Symphonies Nos 1 & 3 (2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:04:51 minutes | 1,17 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Warner Classics

The time has come at last to rescue the history of music from the male condescension that has relegated female composers to the status of a handful of oddities. Heir to Beethoven, revered in Paris through the teaching of her foreign teachers Hummel and Reicha, Louise Farrenc left behind her a collection of strong and dramatic symphonic works. Unlike Clara Schumann or Alma Mahler, Louise Farrenc was not hindered by a husband who set her to cooking, cleaning or bearing many children. Coming from an artistic background and strongly encouraged by her husband, she had every opportunity to develop as a composer, but also as a pianist, teacher, editor and musicologist.

This album is the first volume of Louise Farrenc’s complete set of three Symphonies conducted by Laurence Equilbey at the head of the Insula Orchestra, which she assembled in order to explore little-known repertoire, in particular to bring to the forth works by the great forgotten composers such as Fanny Hensel-Mendelssohn or Clara Schumann.

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Laurence Equilbey – Beethoven: Triple Concerto & Choral Fantasy (2019) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Laurence Equilbey – Beethoven: Triple Concerto & Choral Fantasy (2019)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 53:17 minutes | 944 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Warner Classics

The second record of the 2018/2019 season is also dedicated to Ludwig van Beethoven.
Conductor Laurence Equilbey is fascinated and inspired by the unconventional, hybrid character of Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy and Triple Concerto. She sees it as “the root of their originality, which gives them a special place in Beethoven’s output and in the history of music as a whole.” Their fusion of genres is reflected in performances that unite the period instruments of Equilbey’s Insula orchestra and soloists – pianists Bertrand Chamayou and David Kadouch, violinist Alexandra Conunova and cellist Natalie Clein – who are best known for playing modern instruments.

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