The latest recording by Zuzana Růžičková, a world-acclaimed harpsichordist inseparably associated with J. S. Bach´s music, here introducing 20th century compositions, with which she reaped success during her tour of Japan in 1997. Comprising a number of world premieres, the recording was made in January 1998 on a modern instrument designed to match the character of the works by Viktor Kalabis, Bohuslav Martinů, Jan Rychlík, Peter Miegg, Béla Bartók.

Viktor Kalabis: Akvarely, op.53, Preludio, Ara e Toccata
Bohuslav Martinů: Sonate pour clavecin, Deux pieces de clavecin, Deux Impromptus pour clavecin
Jan Rychlík: Hommaggi Gravicembalistici
Peter Miegg: Pour le clavecin
Béla Bartók: 3 bulharské tance z cyklu Mikrokosmos (kniha VI)
 

Ivan Ženatý – violin, Zuzana Růžičková – harpsichord, Petr Hejný – viola da gamba

This CD of Bach´s less familiar sonatas offers a glimpse into works not only by Bach, the father, but also those by his sons. Though originally ascribed to Johann Sebastian and given BWV catalogue numbers, musicologists today suspect some of them may well have been composed by his sons. However, this measure of doubt about the actual authorship detracts nothing from their sheer musical beauty, enhanced as it is by the virtuoso performance of all the players.

Jana Herajnová – violin (Felicce Beretta, 1779)

All of Paganini´s 24 Capriccios as played by Jana Herajnová, soloist of the Czech Nonet. The violinist´s way of interpretation together with her period Italian gut-stringed violin lend the recording the kind of authenticity that makes you feel like being at an early 19th century salon.

Radek Němejc - Dan Fiedler - Jan Šimůnek - Antonín Šturma - Petr Zelenka - Jan Čížek - Radek Zapadlo - Petr Kroutil - Pavel Klikar

This live recording came into existence in repopnse to two entirely different stimuli. One came from the idea to preserve the atmopshere of jazz clubs and cellars where enthusiasts - musicians and jazz fans alike - meet to jointly create music of the given moment. The other was provided by Jiří Kolář´s works of art which inspired improvizations on the present CD.