New On Naxos | General Issue: November 2026

NOVEMBER 2026

THE WORLD OF CLASSICAL MUSIC

Odin Lund Biron as Yurodivy © Marco Borggreve

NOVEMBER 2026 NEW ON NAXOS

Dumitru Mîțu as Grigoriy and Raehann Bryce-Davis as Marina Mnishek © Marco Borggreve

2.110784 Playing time: 181 minutes Picture format: NTSC 16:9 Sound format: Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0 and Surround 5.1 Language: Russian Subtitles: English, German, Dutch, Japanese, Korean Region code: 0 (worldwide) No. of disc/s: 1 (DVD 9) Release date: 13 Nov 2026

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Key features: •

Kirill Serebrennikov ’s staging of Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov was hailed as ‘a searing, harrowing emotionally devastating production that turns Mussorgsky’s opera into a portrait of complicity, grief, and the cost of silence’ ( philipoftheopera.com ). The Guardian noted

Modest MUSSORGSKY (1839–1881) Boris Godunov Opera in four acts with prologue (revised version, 1872) Libretto by the composer after Aleksandr Pushkin’s Boris Godunov and Nikolay Karamzin’s History of the Russian State Raehann Bryce-Davis, Mezzo-Soprano Dumitru Mîțu, Ya-Chung Huang, Tenors Gevorg Hakobyan, Baritone • Tomasz Konieczny, Bass-Baritone Vitalij Kowaljow, Bass Chorus of Dutch National Opera • Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Vasily Petrenko, Conductor Kirill Serebrennikov, Stage director Mussorgsky’s searing exploration of a tsar assailed by fear and paranoia is given special contemporary relevance in this much- admired performance. Stage director Kirill Serebrennikov has incorporated the works of photographer Dmitry Markov, who travelled throughout Russia capturing everyday life in the country, and this presents unavoidable contrasts between authoritarianism and the real Russia. Featuring an outstanding cast, the opera is conducted by Vasily Petrenko in his first appearance with the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Opera magazine wrote that ‘the premiere made for a dazzling opening to the Holland Festival’.

that ‘this contrast between the Russia portrayed on Kremlin- run TV channels and the real Russia is at the heart of a new production of Modest Mussorgsky’s opera Boris Godunov .’ The production thus became both an artistic and political statement, reflecting the opera’s timeless emotional depth while resonating with contemporary realities of repression and silence. •

Vasily Petrenko made his debut with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in this Holland Festival opening. Opera Click praised his reading as ‘full of contrasts and atmospheric variety – personal and engaging throughout,’ while Opera magazine highlighted his ‘precise conducting style’ and ‘powerful interpretation of the complex score.’ The chorus, prepared by Edward Ananian-Cooper, sang in perfect coordination, delivering ensemble scenes with ‘grand and colourful expression’ ( Opera magazine). Together, Petrenko and the orchestra ensured a dazzling and memorable premiere. Tomasz Konieczny took the role of Boris, ‘universally hailed by critics as one of the most commanding and dramatically versatile bass- baritones of his generation.’ Ya-Chung Huang brought ‘forthright energy’ ( MusicWeb International ) and intelligent phrasing to the Prince, while Vitalij Kowaljow , praised for his Wotan as ‘splendidly focused of voice and suitably imposing in presence’ ( MusicWeb International ), embodied Pimen with gravitas. Their combined artistry enriched the production, complementing Petrenko’s musical leadership and Serebrennikov’s vision, ensuring the premiere resonated as both a theatrical and musical triumph.

Vasily Petrenko

Tomasz Konieczny

•

Also available on Blu-ray video: NBD0194V Playing time: 181 minutes Picture format: HD 16:9 Sound format: PCM stereo and DTS MA 5.1 Language: Russian Subtitles: English, German, Dutch, Japanese, Korean Region code: A, B, C No. of disc/s: 1 (BD 50) Release date: 13 Nov 2026

Ya-Chung Huang

Vitalij Kowaljow

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NOVEMBER 2026 NEW ON NAXOS

Audiovisual releases from the Dutch National Opera

SEP 2026

The best pairing I’ve seen on film of opera’s most famous twins. Robert Carsen’s production is a radically fresh interpretation, but it works really well, and it’s wonderfully sung and conducted.’ – MusicWeb International

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‘A stunningly well-thought-out production from Amsterdam of Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera Königskinder .’ – MusicWeb International

‘Musically this production is excellent. The cast is nearly all first-rate. Christopher Maltman in the title role has a rich and fruity voice. He really sings the part and makes the character sympathetic, even though only on the edge of sanity… Marc Albrecht conducting is an old hand at this kind of work and you would think it was standard repertory from the way the orchestra play.’ – MusicWeb International

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Remy Franck’s Journal about Classical Music

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GERMAN RECORD CRITIC’S AWARD QUARTERLY CRITIC’S CHOICE

Leó WEINER (1885–1960) Complete Works for Orchestra, Vol. 5 Violin Concerto No. 2 * Ballade for Clarinet and Orchestra ** Suite on Hungarian Folk Dances Csaba Klenyán, Clarinet ** • Júlia Pusker, Violin * MÁV Symphony Orchestra, Budapest • Valéria Csányi Leó Weiner created a unique synthesis between German/French Romantic traditions and the Hungarian musical language at the beginning of the 20th century. The Ballade , admired for its beautiful dreamlike lyricism, was one of his most successful works. Weiner took inspiration from folk music as an escape from the 20th-century rise in modernism – his Suite integrates dance melodies into a work of symphonic scale and structure. The Second Violin Concerto is a defiantly Romantic post-war masterpiece in which darkness and light co-exist as an expression of humanity in an age of violence. Key features: • Leó Weiner is renowned as one of the leading music educators of the 20th century, though his firm adherence to musical conservatism meant his compositions received less attention than those of his more avant-garde contemporaries. Nevertheless, his works have consistently delighted audiences, and the enthusiastic reception of our ongoing edition of his complete orchestral works confirms their enduring appeal. Each new release has attracted considerable interest, establishing this series as one of our most desirable collections. • Vol. 4 (8.574707) was praised by BBC Music Magazine for Júlia Pusker ’s ‘beautifully shaped account of [Weiner’s] Violin Concerto No. 1 … in an expressive and playful dialogue with the MÁV Symphony Orchestra ,’ with the accompanying works delivered ‘with equal colour and style under Valéria Csányi.’ Fanfare also admired the performances, noting the concerto as ‘a very attractive composition’ and commending Pusker as ‘a fine player’ with the recording offering ‘believably projected balance.’ Earlier releases drew similar acclaim: Classical Lost and Found described Vol. 3 (8.574125) as ‘highly recommendable,’ while Vol. 2 (8.573847), featuring the symphonic poem Toldi , was hailed by MusicWeb International as ‘played with real verve and virtuosic empathy’ and by ClassicsToday.com as ‘as committed as one could ask’. • This fifth volume continues the tradition of excellence with leading soloists. Júlia Pusker, who gained international recognition at the 2019 Queen Elisabeth Violin Competition, returns alongside clarinettist Csaba Klenyán , principal of the Concerto Budapest Symphony. Klenyán also featured in our acclaimed recording of Weiner’s chamber works (8.574731), further strengthening the reputation of this series as a definitive exploration of Weiner’s orchestral legacy. NOVEMBER 2026 NEW ON NAXOS

8.574756 Release date: 13 Nov 2026

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Listen to an excerpt from Violin Concerto No. 2 in F sharp minor, Op. 45: II. Presto LISTEN

MÁV Symphony Orchestra, Budapest

1 Ballade, Op. 8 (1911) (version for clarinet and orchestra, 1921) Suite on Old Hungarian Folk Themes, Op. 18 (1931) 2 I. Allegro risoluto e ben marcato 3 II. Andante poco sostenuto – Allegro con fuoco 4 III. Andante poco sostenuto – Pesante, poco maestoso 5 IV. Presto

Violin Concerto No. 2 in F sharp minor, Op. 45 (1957) 6 I. Allegro non tanto, ma appassionato 7 II. Presto 8 III. Larghetto 9 IV. Moderato – Presto – Larghetto – Allegro alla marcia

NOVEMBER 2026 NEW ON NAXOS

About Valéria Csányi, Conductor The Hungarian conductor Valéria Csányi (b. 1958, Budapest) studied at the Liszt Academy of Music, obtaining a music teacher’s and choral conductor’s diploma in 1982 and a conductor’s diploma in 1984. She has attended masterclasses given by Karl Österreicher in Vienna, Péter Eötvös in Szombathely and Milan Horvat in Salzburg, and since 1983, has been a member of the Hungarian State Opera, initially as a répétiteur. She was given the opportunity to conduct opera in 1988, leading several works, including premieres, and between 1995 and 2009 she took part in all of the ballet productions of the State Opera. She has worked extensively at the Hungarian State Opera, conducting more than 700 performances. She has toured Austria, Germany, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Mexico. Csányi has made recordings for Naxos including the operetta Fürstin Ninetta by Strauss II with the Stockholms Strauss Orkester [8.660227-28] as well as the first complete recording of Erkel’s opera István király (‘King Stephen’) [8.660345-46], Széchényi’s Complete Dances for Orchestra [8.573807], and Weiner’s ballet Csongor and Tünde [8.573491], Toldi – Symphonic Poem [8.573847] and Divertimentos Nos. 1 and 2 [8.574125]. In November 2025, Csányi conducted the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in Doha at the invitation of BAFTA, Golden Globe and GRAMMY Award-winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla, with whom she had previously collaborated with in Pécs in November 2018.

Previous releases from the series

‘Conductor Valéria Csányi shapes the score as if she really loves it, right from the opening movement, “Prince Csongor and Mirigy the Witch”, and in the third, “[Fairies’] Dance and Mirigy”, with its highly imaginative woodwind-writing.’ – Gramophone

‘Their flawless playing allowed me to get swept up in the flow of her pacing, her elegant phrases, buoyant rhythms, and excitement. This is the kind of album and music that allows you to sit back, relax the brain, and enjoy the pleasures of superb musicality.’ – American Record Guide

Remy Franck’s Journal about Classical Music

‘The music is episodic; the movements are connected, making the sense of narrative even stronger. The score is absolutely action-packed. The Budapest Symphony Orchestra MÁV under Valéria Csányi is one of the few ensembles that might have some experience with Weiner, and they deliver an exciting, enthusiastic performance, augmented by strong engineering from a Hungarian Radio studio. Delightful.’ – AllMusic.com

‘Júlia Pusker offers a beautifully shaped account of his Violin Concerto No. 1 , orchestrated from the 1911 Sonata, in an expressive and playful dialogue with the MÁV Symphony Orchestra. The accompanying works are delivered with equal colour and style under Valéria Csányi.’ – BBC Music Magazine

Remy Franck’s Journal about Classical Music

NOVEMBER 2026 NEW ON NAXOS

Gioachino ROSSINI (1792–1868) Il vero omaggio Cantata (1822) Libretto by Giulio Genoino (1773–1856) and Gaetano Rossi (1774–1855) Sofia Mchedlishvili, Soprano • Teresa Iervolino, Mezzo-soprano Michele Angelini, Giorgio Misseri, Tenors Roberto Lorenzi, Bass-baritone Kraków Philharmonic Chorus and Orchestra Antonino Fogliani Rossini’s Il vero omaggio , or ‘The True Homage’, is a cantata written for a gala concert at the Congress of Verona in 1822. The composer used his pre-existing work La riconoscenza almost in full but added extra music, composed a new finale, and adapted several pieces for different voice categories. The story is of a pastoral couple on their wedding day – a self-confident shepherd and a timid shepherdess – and reveals Rossini’s effortless skill in crafting a ‘new’ work of personal and expressive warmth. Key features: • Antonino Fogliani is a leading Italian conductor renowned for his mastery of his country’s operatic repertoire. He has conducted Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, Verdi and Puccini at Bayerische Staatsoper, Teatro alla Scala and the Semperoper, and has been Music Director of the Rossini in Wildbad Festival since 2011. His Naxos recordings span Rossini, Mercadante, Morlacchi, Bellini and Vaccai, with Opera News praising his Il viaggio a Reims (8.660382-84) for its ‘spirited, stylistically astute performance… ending on a note of notable exhilaration’. • Sofia Mchedlishvili , winner of the Lado Ataneli Competition and the International Bel Canto Prize, has shone at Rossini in Wildbad and recorded Demetrio e Polibio (8.660405-06) and Il viaggio a Reims with Fogliani. American Record Guide commended her ‘confident and communicative, bright and very precise’ colouratura, while Gramophone described her performance as ‘something of a tour de force’. • Rising bel canto talents include Teresa Iervolino , hailed by MusicWeb International for ‘consistent vocal allure and standard of performance’; Michele Angelini , praised by ConcertoNet.com for ‘superb breath control, beautiful tone and a dramatic sensibility’; and Giorgio Misseri , recognised by Opera-charm.com as ‘an excellent interpreter of the bel canto repertoire’.

8.574759 Release date: 27 Nov 2026

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Listen to an excerpt from Recitativo: Dov’ Elpino? Alla reggia LISTEN

Giorgio Misseri Il genio d’Austria

Teresa Iervolino Alceo

Roberto Lorenzi Elpino

Michele Angelini Fileno

Sofia Mchedlishvili Argene

NOVEMBER 2026 NEW ON NAXOS

About Antonino Fogliani, Conductor Antonino Fogliani was born in Messina and graduated as a pianist before studying conducting at the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Milan. He went on to work with Franco Donatoni and Ennio Morricone at the Accademia Chigiana and was an assistant to Gianluigi Gelmetti. His acclaimed debut at the Pesaro Rossini Opera Festival in 2001 was followed by engagements in major opera houses including Teatro La Fenice, Teatro dell’Opera, Teatro di San Carlo, the Opéra Comique and Teatro alla Scala. International engagements have taken him to Monte Carlo, Moscow, Houston and Barcelona, among others. He has conducted countless performances for Deutsche Oper am Rhein and at the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, including Macbeth and Il trovatore for the Opernfestspiele. Fogliani made his debut at Rossini in Wildbad in 2004 and was appointed music director in 2011.

Rossini in Wildbad

‘This is the best recording we have yet heard of Ermione … The conductor Antonino Fogliani holds the whole drama powerfully on course, as does the Ermione, Serena Farnocchia… Such continuity helps with the all-important task of keeping this harrowing music drama thrillingly on course.’ – Gramophone

‘The Moravian orchestra and Polish chorus perform with spirit and tight ensemble, much as in the previous Wildbad recordings, and Antonino Fogliani sets convincing tempos. Definitely worth the attention of all lovers of bel canto-era opera.’ – American Record Guide 筆者の「今月の推薦盤」特選盤まであと一歩推 RECORD GEIJUTSU RECOMMENDATION OF THE MONTH

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Remy Franck’s Journal about Classical Music

Das Klassik- & Jazz-Magazin

‘There is much to enjoy in the vocal performances. Serena Farnocchia inhabits the title role with regal authority, yet the voice is sufficiently light and nimble to negotiate the more florid passages with ease… A particular treat is the fact that the recording boasts two ideal “Rossini tenors” in Kabongo and Süngü.’ – BBC Music Magazine

‘This new version is very good… All four soloists generally sing quite well, both technically and interpretively… Antonio Fogliani is a fine conductor with a good understanding of the Rossini idiom… The chorus and orchestra sing and play well and are well recorded.’ – Fanfare

NOVEMBER 2026 NEW ON NAXOS

Ignaz PLEYEL (1757–1831) String Trios, Ben. 401–403 Three Duos for Violin and Cello, Ben. 504–506 Pettman Ensemble Ignaz Pleyel, a pupil of Haydn, was arguably the most popular composer in Europe during the early years of the 19th century with his works published, republished and pirated across the continent. The String Trios and Duos illustrate the subtlety of his motivic links between themes and a rich variety of contrasts as well as unexpected excursions that surprise and entertain. Pleyel also liberates the cello from its previously functional basso role, and employs subtle chromatic inflections, revealing compositional mastery and freshness of invention. The Pettman Ensemble’s recording of Pleyel’s String Quintets can be heard on Naxos 8.574492. Key features: • The Pettman Ensemble has recorded Ignaz Pleyel’s chamber music for Naxos (8.574492), released in July 2026, with Pizzicato praising the ensemble for playing ‘with a keen feel for this music: stylishly, yet intensely, and above all very spontaneously and with palpable enthusiasm’. They have also recorded Hummel’s arrangements of Beethoven’s symphonies (Naxos 8.574200), which have been warmly received. The Dvořák Society Newsletter praised these recordings as ‘revisions of a quality which encourage the listener to hear the music through fresh ears… Both of the Naxos Beethoven/ Hummel discs issued to date are of consistently high quality… This time it is the same flautist with the gifted Australian/New Zealand Pettman Ensemble, in equally vivid interpretations.’ • Further acclaim came from the American Record Guide , which noted: ‘Hummel shows his imagination in full force, but this is comfortable to listen to, especially as played with the vigour and enthusiasm of the Pettman Ensemble.’ These reviews highlight the Ensemble’s artistry and vitality, confirming their reputation as one of the most engaging chamber groups performing today.

8.574491 Release date: 27 Nov 2026

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Listen to an excerpt from String Trio in D major, Ben. 402: II. Rondeau: Allegretto LISTEN

String Trio in E flat major, Ben. 401 (before 1787) 1 I. Allegro 2 II. Rondeau String Trio in D major, Ben. 402 (before 1787) 3 I. Allegro 4 II. Rondeau: Allegretto String Trio in F major, Ben. 403 (before 1787) 5 I. Allegro con spirito 6 II. Rondeau: Moderato

Duo for Violin and Cello in G major, Ben. 504 (before 1787) 7 I. Moderato 8 II. Rondeau: Allegro Duo for Violin and Cello in A major, Ben. 505 (before 1787) 9 I. Adagio 0 II. Rondeau: Allegretto

Duo for Violin and Cello in B flat major, Ben. 506 (before 1787)

! I. Moderato @ II. Menuetto

NOVEMBER 2026 NEW ON NAXOS

About the Pettman Ensemble The Pettman Ensemble is a flexible touring group of musicians from New Zealand and Australia dedicated to performing chamber music from early Classical repertoire to contemporary works. The ensemble collaborates with leading Australasian performers and emerging young artists in a wide variety of chamber music formations. The Pettman Ensemble has appeared throughout New Zealand, Australia, the UK and Europe, with engagements including performances for the Royal Overseas League in London, the University of Glasgow concert series, and Opera North, as well as broadcasts on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune . Recent projects have included recordings of Hummel’s arrangements of Beethoven’s symphonies (Naxos 8.574200) and the chamber music of Ignaz Pleyel (8.574492). The ensemble served as ensemble in residence at The International Akaroa Music Festival from 2023 to 2025, presenting concerts, masterclasses, and collaborative performances with guest artists and young musicians. Alongside its international touring activities, the Pettman Ensemble continues to develop new recording and performance projects across Australasia and beyond.

Wenhong Luo , Edith Salzmann and Curt Thompson © Daniel Ng

Ignaz Pleyel, Composer

‘The Australian-New Zealand Pettman Ensemble delivers interpretations that respect the classical style while also striving to capture the atmosphere for which Pleyel wrote these works. They have succeeded admirably… the five musicians play with a keen feel for this music: stylishly, yet intensely, and above all very spontaneously and with palpable enthusiasm.’ – Pizzicato ‘Well-crafted and bounces right along – tuneful, too… The performances by the Finnish orchestra… under their French conductor- soloist are first-rate: lively, concentrated, polished, and direct.’ – American Record Guide

‘The performances are replete with enthusiasm and momentum and, drawing upon a winning combination of instinct and convention, they evoke not only a distinct personality, but also exhibit poise, coupled with an exceptional sense of vitality and elegance.’ – Fanfare

‘Performed with classically light touch by the young American-based Ensō Quartet, who acquit themselves well on their first recording. Their playing is neat, well balanced and lyrical, and they show a lively and intelligent engagement with the music.’ – Gramophone

WETA CD PICK OF THE WEEK

‘All the soloists… play with conviction and a keen sense of style. The Baltimorians are sufficiently attuned to the needs of Pleyel and to appropriate stylistic turns of phrase that make this a most rewarding release in excellent sound.’ – Audiophile Audition

‘Pleyel is well worth a hearing. These modern-instrument performances are well judged and have plenty of vitality and sensitively chosen tempos, and the Bratislava group play with skill.’ – Gramophone

WETA CD PICK OF THE WEEK

NOVEMBER 2026 NEW ON NAXOS

Christian SINDING (1856–1941) Romantic Piano, Vol. 13 Piano Works Piano Sonata in B minor • Caprices • Fantaisies Yanfeng Tony Bai, Piano Norwegian composer Christian Sinding benefitted from some of Oslo’s finest music teachers, later studying in Leipzig and encountering Ferruccio Busoni. With his rich melodic gifts Sinding became seen as Grieg’s successor, though his music avoided Norwegian folk-music influences and looked more towards the high Romanticism of Liszt and Wagner. In keeping with his lyrical gifts, the Sonata in B minor is driven by melodic invention with Brahmsian influences that also emerge in the 15 Caprices . This collection is a fine representation of the sheer melodiousness and energy that made Sinding’s music incredibly popular in its day. Sinding’s Rustle of Spring and Am spinett are available for streaming and download on a digital single (9.70394). Key features: • Internationally acclaimed, Christian Sinding was honoured with the Order of St Olav in 1905, promoted to Commander in 1916, and awarded the Grand Cross in 1938. Despite these accolades, his post-war reputation in Norway diminished, and while his symphonies and Violin Concerto have been recorded, his piano works – such as those featured here – remain rare on disc. • Launched in September 2025 with Julius Benedict’s works (8.574586), the Naxos Romantic Piano series was warmly welcomed by MusicWeb International : ‘we must above all be grateful to Naxos… for their enterprise in exploring an area of the repertoire that must be totally unknown to all but a very few experts in the period’. The series champions little-known composers and unusual repertoire, with subsequent volumes featuring Charles Gounod, Friedrich Kiel, and Józef Wieniawski. • Vol. 2 with Wilhelm Taubert’s sonatas (8.574585) was praised by Interlude as ‘a reminder of the breadth of 19th-century musical life, where many composers made meaningful contributions to the piano repertoire, even if they did not become household names’. Vol. 7 with Theodor Kullak’s works (8.574673) earned admiration from MusicWeb International : ‘[Roman Fediurko] clearly revels in this music and brings great character and a rich vein of passion while negotiating its technical hurdles with bold, musical consideration and consummate ease’.

8.574719 Release date: 13 Nov 2026

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Listen to an excerpt from 15 Caprices, Op. 44: No. 4. Allegretto LISTEN

Piano Sonata in B minor, Op. 91 (1909) 1 I. Allegro non troppo 2 II. Andante – 3 III. Vivace 15 Caprices, Op. 44 (1898)

4 No. 1. Allegro passionato 5 No. 2. Andante con moto 6 No. 3. Marcato 7 No. 4. Allegretto 8 No. 5. Allegretto 9 No. 6. Non troppo allegro 0 No. 7. Allegretto scherzando ! No. 8. Animato @ No. 9. Presto # No. 10. Andante $ No. 11. Presto % No. 12. Allegretto ^ No. 13. Agitato & No. 14. Allegretto * No. 15. Poco maestoso

5 Fantaisies, Op. 118 (pub. 1914)

Christian SINDING Caprice 9.50356 * Release date: 16 Oct 2026

Christian SINDING Piano Works Rustle of Spring • Am spinett 9.70394 * Release date: 13 Nov 2026

( No. 1. Décision ) No. 2. Méditation ¡ No. 3. Caprice ™ No. 4. Nocturne £ No. 5. Conte

* Only available for download and streaming

NOVEMBER 2026 NEW ON NAXOS

About Yanfeng Tony Bai, Piano Chinese pianist Yanfeng Tony Bai is a laureate of numerous international competitions, including the Olga Kern International Piano Competition, China Shenzhen International Piano Concerto Competition, International Grotrian Piano Competition and the China Central Television Piano Competition. An accomplished chamber musician, Bai is a founding member of Trio Azura. The trio was named Young Concert Artists’ (YCA) inaugural Ensemble-in-Residence following the 2025 Susan Wadsworth International Auditions, and in 2024 it swept the board at the 51st Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, winning the Grand Prize, Gold Medal, Lift Every Voice Prize and the Horszowski Trio Prize. Bai has performed with orchestras including the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, China Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra Antonio Vivaldi and New Mexico Philharmonic, collaborating with conductors such as James Conlon and Miguel Harth-Bedoya. He has appeared across North America, Europe, Oceania and Asia, including at the Aspen Music Festival and Brisbane Festival. He is currently the chamber musician-in-residence at the Colburn Conservatory of Music and a YCA artist, and he completed his Artist Diploma at the Colburn School under Fabio Bidini.

Previous releases from the series

SEP 2026

NEW

‘Semykras plays with rhetorical flair and renders both the somewhat wistful and the dramatic passages with great expressiveness… the Ukrainian pianist has managed to carve out a prominent place for himself in the Rheinberger repertoire with his inspired playing.’ – Pizzicato ‘Serbian pianist Vladimir Aćimović has made this music his own. He plays with virtuosity, handles all the rhythmic challenges with ease, adds colour and nuance wherever possible, and ensures that the listener remains attentive at all times –

‘Avagyan is an inspired interpreter of the smaller pieces, dances, songs, and marches, giving each of the little miniatures its own character and thus ensuring variety so that the sequence never becomes monotonous.’ – Pizzicato

‘[Fediurko] plays everything with engagement and technical mastery…’ – American Record Guide UPERSONIC S

perhaps even following Draeseke’s escapades with a sense of wonder.’ – Pizzicato

Das Klassik- & Jazz-Magazin

NOVEMBER 2026 NEW ON NAXOS

Tableaux en miroirs RACHMANINOV • RAVEL Catalin Serban, Piano

Rachmaninov’s Études-tableaux, Op. 39 is a masterpiece of late Romanticism, full of extreme contrasts with an overwhelming melancholy. Ravel’s Miroirs explores a concise and colourful language, exemplified by sonic experiments, rarefied timbres and a refinement of utterance demanding meticulous technical clarity. Pianist Catalin Serban has long wanted to present these two great piano cycles juxtaposed, exploring the tensions between them and finding an inner arc that spans both cycles. Key features: • Pianist Catalin Serban has recorded Fauré and Enescu Piano Quartets on Naxos 8.551477. This album has drawn strong critical attention: Fanfare noted that ‘the performance [of Enescu’s Piano Quartet No. 1 ] by this ad hoc quartet is a good one and is the reason to acquire this [disc],’ while The Strad praised ‘the finale [as] brilliantly executed. Fauré’s Piano Quartet No. 1 … offers more flair… an Adagio that deftly blends the tragic with the serene and a finale that unerringly shows off the players’ individual talents.’ • Further acclaim came from Gramophone , which wrote: ‘I find the rapturous quality of Serban’s performance utterly mesmeric. …in no way do Serban and his team stint on drama. …they still lead one on a thrillingly wild ride.’ These reviews highlight both the expressive depth and the technical brilliance of Serban’s chamber music performances, confirming his reputation as a pianist of distinction. • Serban has won numerous awards at international piano competitions, including the Bremen Piano Competition. He was a scholarship holder of the Berlin University of the Arts, the Paul Hindemith Society in Berlin and the Marie-Luise Imbusch Foundation in Lübeck. As a chamber musician he has performed at the Berlin Philharmonie, the Konzerthaus Berlin and other renowned venues, as well as at international festivals. In addition to the Naxos release mentioned above, his discography includes recordings for Romanian Radio and Radio Bremen, alongside solo albums featuring works by Scriabin and Chopin.

8.551495 Release date: 13 Nov 2026

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Sergey RACHMANINOV (1873–1943) Études-tableaux, Op. 39 (1916–17)

Maurice RAVEL (1875–1937) Miroirs, M. 43 (1904–05)

1 No. 1 in C minor: Allegro agitato 2 No. 2 in A minor: Lento assai 3 No. 3 in F sharp minor: Allegro molto 4 No. 4 in B minor: Allegro assai 5 No. 5 in E flat minor: Appassionato 6 No. 6 in A minor: Allegro

0 I. Noctuelles. Très léger ! II. Oiseaux tristes. Très lent @ III. Une barque sur l’océan. D’un rythme souple

# IV. Alborada del gracioso. Assez vif $ V. La Vallée des cloches. Très lent

7 No. 7 in C minor: Lento lugubre 8 No. 8 in D minor: Allegro moderato 9 No. 9 in D major: Allegro moderato. Tempo di marcia

NOVEMBER 2026 NEW ON NAXOS

About Catalin Serban, Piano The pianist Catalin Serban lives in Berlin and received his early musical training at the George Enescu Music High School in his hometown of Bucharest. His early exposure to vocal music within his family continues to influence his approach to the piano to this day. He studied at the Berlin University of the Arts and the Lübeck University of Music, and performs internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. Performances have taken him to numerous concert halls, including the Konzerthaus and the Philharmonie in Berlin, the Bucharest Athenaeum, the Stadtcasino in Basel and the Glocke in Bremen, as well as to festivals across Europe and Asia. From a young age, he has been a prize-winner at several international competitions, including in Germany (Bremen Competition), Italy (Senigallia) and Romania.

His recordings are characterised by thematic coherence and a particular affinity for late Romantic and Impressionist music. His recordings include the solo albums Des cloches sonores featuring works by Enescu, Schubert and Scriabin, and Resemblances with music by Chopin and Scriabin, as well as the album Mélodies infinies , released by Naxos, featuring piano quartets by Enescu and Fauré. In addition to his concert career, Catalin Serban works as a teacher, lecturing at the Lübeck University of Music and the Hanns Eisler Academy of Music in Berlin.

Other solo piano recordings

‘Han Chen seeks not only the showy and virtuosic elements in Anton Rubinstein’s music, but also offers nuanced interpretations and a rich interpretive imagination. The result is a lively and engaging recording.’ – Pizzicato

‘Tadokoro is spectacular – a young pianist in the height of his power delivering a tremendous performance. His physical mastery of the instrument is regulated by great cultured taste, passionate devotion, guided with striving for the ideal.’ – American Record Guide

Remy Franck’s Journal about Classical Music

NOMINEE

De Standaard

‘The great draw here is the tonal beauty and unforced lyricism that Giltburg achieves, proving himself to be particularly memorable in Rachmaninov’s most inward and intimate music.’ – Gramophone

‘Giltburg has lived inside these sonatas for some time and in the greatest detail. …He has a tremendous dynamic range and can bring out inner voices at the quietest level …I found Giltburg’s performance wonderfully committed and well worth listening to.’ – Fanfare

Remy Franck’s Journal about Classical Music

GRAMOPHONE CHOICE

GERMAN RECORD CRITIC’S AWARD QUARTERLY CRITIC’S CHOICE

CLASSICAL FINALIST

Remy Franck’s Journal about Classical Music

NOVEMBER 2026 NEW ON NAXOS

21st-Century Australian Guitar Music BALLAM-CROSS • DAVIES • D’NETTO HARRISON • SDRAULIG • YOUNAN Hamish Strathdee, Guitar Emma-Shay Gallenti-Guilfoyle, Guitar Guitarist Hamish Strathdee’s collaboration and strong artistic connection with the Australian composers featured on this recording testify to his deep belief in working closely with composers to bring new music to life. The serious intent of Harry Sdraulig’s Sonata also displays exuberant playfulness and contemplation, contrasting with the virtuosity of Elizabeth Younan’s Fantasia No. X , and the calmly intense portrayal of Australia’s Carnarvon Gorge in Paul Ballam- Cross’s This Wide Quietness . The strange dances of Connor D’Netto’s Tarantism form a set of miniatures, while the gentle softness of Olivia Bettina Davies’ In Flow preludes the bluegrass, jazz and rock music sound world of Holly Harrison’s Bee’s Knees . Key features: • This diverse programme consists entirely of world premiere recordings, including three works commissioned by the Duo. The composers represented here each bring strong credentials, among them Harry Sdraulig , known for collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott, and widely performed, award- winning figures such as Connor D’Netto , Holly Harrison and Elizabeth Younan . With booklet notes written by the composers themselves and state-of-the-art recording quality, this album is a distinguished addition to our ever-collectable Guitar Collection series. • Appearing here in their Naxos debut, the Contra Guitar Duo was formed by Hamish Strathdee and Emma-Shay Gallenti- Guilfoyle while at university. They released their debut EP Contra on the Move label in May 2023 and have since made numerous concert appearances across Australia. • Contra Guitar Duo’s earlier recording Contra (2023) featured works by Segovia, Houghton, Puccini and Tansman, showcasing their love of lyricism, complex rubato and colour. Critical responses were enthusiastic: The Music Trust praised ‘the tone is liquid amber … the phrasing is quite exquisite,’ while O’Connell the Music highlighted their ‘flawless confidence in each other’ and ‘sensitively structured partnership.’ These reviews underline the Duo’s artistry and vitality, qualities that shine through in their Naxos debut.

8.579175 Release date: 27 Nov 2026

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Listen to an excerpt from SDRAULIG, H.: Sonata for Solo Guitar: I. Moderately LISTEN

Harry SDRAULIG (b. 1992) 1 – 3 Sonata for Solo Guitar (2025) Elizabeth YOUNAN (b. 1994) 4 – 6 Fantasia No. X for Solo Guitar (2025) Paul BALLAM-CROSS (b. 1989) 7 This Wide Quietness (2022) Connor D’NETTO (b. 1994) 8 – ! Tarantism – Suite for Guitar (2015–16) Olivia Bettina DAVIES (b. 1988) @ In Flow (2020) Holly HARRISON (b. 1988) # – % Bee’s Knees (2025)

NOVEMBER 2026 NEW ON NAXOS

About the Contra Guitar Duo Opposing yet complementary performers can create thrilling artistry – this is the basis on which Contra Guitar Duo was formed by Hamish Strathdee and Emma-Shay Gallenti-Guilfoyle. The pair met at their university auditions in 2011 and have been making music together ever since. Their contrasting musical personalities and charming personal chemistry put a dynamic spin on the guitar duo. Brisbane-based Contra Guitar Duo has performed extensively in Europe and Australia, with performance highlights including the Dubai World Expo, Staatsoper Hamburg, Melbourne Guitar Festival and Darmstädter Gitarrentage. The duo has been invited to perform concerts and present masterclasses and workshops across Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

Recommended guitar duo recordings

‘This is an excellent recording of music you’ve likely not heard before, performed by two artists who have invested their efforts well to create something worth hearing.’ – American Record Guide

‘This disc is a fine example of contemporary music that stretches the listener’s ears but not to the point of breaking, performed by two excellent artists who have combined their talents to move the art form forward.’ – American Record Guide

‘The arrangements themselves are beautiful, maximising the use of various effects such as palm muting and artificial harmonics to evoke not just the sounds of the orchestra but the sights and smells of the Spanish campo. The performances, too, are beautiful.’ – Gramophone A madeus

‘Kleger and Ivanov play beautifully, enchanting the listener with every single note. For Bach and Goldberg fans, this [disc] is an absolute must.’ – Pizzicato UPERSONIC S NOMINEE

Das Klassik- & Jazz-Magazin

NOVEMBER 2026 NEW ON NAXOS

Teitur LASSEN (b. 1977) TEENS – Questions to Teenagers Ólöf Arnalds, Nive Nielsen, Vocals Teitur Lassen, Vocals, Electronics • Ensemble MidtVest

The concerns, joys and fears of teenagers in the Nordic countries is the focus of TEENS , a project by Faroese composer and performer Teitur Lassen. Their responses to his questions became the basis of 18 songs, for various permutations of instruments, sung by Lassen, Nive Nielsen and Ólöf Arnalds – quirky, funny, droll and sensitive songs about spiders, grandparents, a horse and many more. The recording also preserves the voices of the teenagers themselves, as they answer the questions Lassen posed to them. The result is a new collection of contemporary songs – a genuine collaboration between teenagers, charismatic singers and the acclaimed Ensemble MidtVest. Key features: •

This album is aimed at teenagers in the Nordic countries, offering them a platform for their ideas and perspectives. Faroese composer and performer Teitur Lassen collaborated with organisations and schools across the region, reaching out to young people with questions that became the basis for the lyrics. The result is 18 songs for voice, wind quartet, piano, strings and electronics, performed with Ólöf Arnalds – an Icelandic composer known for collaborations with Björk, Murgison and Slowblow – and Nive Nielsen , the Greenlandic Inuk singer-songwriter and actress who fronts the internationally touring band Nive and the Deer Children.

9.70392 * Release date: 13 Nov 2026

1 I Dress Like My Sister 2 The Weather 3 Confused 4 Seriously 5 Try To Sleep 6 Twinkle 7 I Just Got Here 8 I Am Afraid 9 Long Game

0 Spiders ! Two Meters @ Snapchat # Granny $ Pregnant % Good Person ^ My Mother & In The Barn * Sunshine

• Critical responses to Teitur’s artistry have been consistently strong. British folk singer KT Tunstall described him as ‘the sound of melting ice, haunted woods, and beautiful honesty,’ while composer and instrumentalist John Mayer wrote that ‘music like this is jet fuel on the fire of a broken heart.’ The Guardian praised him as ‘never less than extraordinary,’ and Gramophone admired his album Confessions as ‘brilliantly witty, strangely compelling and at times subtly affecting.’ These voices underline the originality and emotional power that characterise Lassen’s work. • The performances here are supported by Ensemble MidtVest , a group that regularly collaborates with leading artists such as Pekka Kuusisto, Jennifer Stumm, Bo Skovhus and the Danish String Quartet. EMV has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Kings Place in London and at prestigious international festivals, bringing its distinctive energy and refinement to this project. Together with Lassen and his collaborators, the Ensemble ensures that Teens – Questions to Teenagers stands as a striking and imaginative addition to contemporary Nordic music.

Teitur LASSEN I Dress Like My Sister LISTEN 9.50251 * Release date: 2 Oct 2026

9.50352 * Release date: 23 Oct 2026

Teitur LASSEN Confused LISTEN

* Only available for download and streaming

Ensemble MidtVest and Teitur Lassen

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About Teitur Lassen, Composer, Vocals, Electronics Teitur Lassen (b. 1977) is a Faroese composer, producer, musician and singer-songwriter. Lassen left the Faroe Islands as a teenager in a bid to access the technology and musical professionalism that he felt wasn’t available at home. As a solo artist he has released seven studio albums, has worked with major international artists, and contributed to several film and TV soundtracks. In 2003 Lassen’s first album, Poetry & Aeroplanes attracted the attention of artists such as Rufus Wainwright, Aimee Mann and KT Tunstall, all of whom took him on tour. In 2006, he released his second album Stay Under the Stars , which won two Danish Grammys. Third album, The Singer was released in 2008 and was his first album to be issued in the UK garnering critical praise from The Guardian and The Sunday Times . A collaboration with American composer Nico Muhly followed, along with writing/producing for other artists, and embarking on a world tour. In 2013 he released the album Story Music , which features more than 70 musicians and singers ranging in age from 8 to 80. Further projects have included collaborations with the well-known German singer Judith Holofernes, and in October 2016 Nonesuch released the album Confessions , a collaboration with Nico Muhly and the Holland Baroque orchestra. Most recently, he has released the album Songs from a Social Distance with Aarhus Jazz Orchestra (2023), and he featured on the single Louise by Danish artist eee gee. Teitur Lassen was knighted by the Queen of Denmark Margrethe II in 2021.

Recommended Nordic recordings

‘The highly varied programme is performed at a high technical level by thoroughly committed musicians, including the soloist. Well worth a listen!’ – Pizzicato * Only available for download and streaming

‘The recording itself is truly excellent, the soloist well integrated into the sound- picture. The engineers have fully captured the room’s warm ambience without any loss of clarity and there is a good front to back perspective. I look forward to more recordings from these performers.’ – MusicWeb International

NOMINEE FOR RECORDING OF THE YEAR

RECORDING OF THE MONTH

UPERSONIC S

‘Einar Steen-Nøkleberg has recorded every note of music Grieg composed for the piano. He as impressive musical credentials and is, among other things, the author of a book on Grieg’s piano music and its interpretations. His survey displaces earlier sets in quality: he is responsive to mood and is searchingly imaginative in his approach.’ – Penguin Guide

‘I listened to this two days in a row and enjoyed it more the second time. Both vocalists sing very well... The recording is outstanding…’ – American Record Guide

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