New Seasons (Mayer, Sinfonia Varsovia)

ALBRECHT MAYERWhen the subject turns to oboists, his name is now de rigeur: Albrecht Mayer. His playing has both listeners and critics raving, with expressions like “divine spark” or the “miraculous oboe” that the German player has elevated to become an “instrument of seduction.” He studied with Gerhard Scheuer, Georg Meerwein, Maurice Bourgue and Ingo Goritzki and began his professional career in 1990 as principal oboist of the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra. Since 1992 he has occupied the same position with the BerlinPhiharmonic. And it’s no wonder that Albrecht Mayer ranks today among the most sought-after oboists and has appeared as a soloist with Claudio Abbado, Sir Simon Rattle and Nikolaus Harnoncourt. Along with his solo projects, Mayer considers it important to find time for chamber music. He has no dearth of requests and opportunities, and performs together regularly with partners such as the pianist Hélène Grimaud, Leif Ove Andsnes and the bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff, with whom he recorded a CD of Bach cantatas.In his search for new repertoire for his instrument, he is constantly fascinated by the idea of lending his voice (that of the oboe) to “foreign” works – pieces written for other instruments or for singers. In that regardMayer, who sang as a child for many years in the Bamberg Cathedral Choir, is especially attracted to the human voice, as the most “natural” of all instruments. He’s already provided convincing proof of that claim in the recording “Lieder ohne Worte” – Bach transcriptions for oboe and orchestra, in which the Baroque style and bel canto are delightfully combined. The CD immediately entered the German classical charts at number 2. In August 2004 the CD „In search of Mozart“ which Albrecht Mayer recorded with Claudio Abbado and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra has been released and once again he made it to the top of the German classical charts. His latest recording “Albrecht Mayer: New Seasons” presents music by GeorgFriedrich Handel in a stunning new light. Albrecht Mayer has been elected „Instrumentalist of the Year“ and rewarded with an ECHO-Klassik Prize by the German Phono-Akademie. In December 2006 Albrecht Mayer has been awarded the E.T.A.-Hoffmann-Prize by his German hometown Bamberg. Albrecht Mayer plays a Buffet Crampon Green Line oboe.More information at www.albrechtmayer.com

1: The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
2: Largo for Oboe, Violin and B.c.
3: Allegro
4: Grave
5: Larghetto
6: Allegro
7: Lascia Ch'io Pianga
8: Andante. Allegro
9: Adagio E Staccato
10: II. Largo
11: Allegro Ma Non Troppo
12: Country Dance (from 'Water Music' Suite No.3 in G, HWV 350)
13: II. Largo
14: Adagio
15: Allegro
16: II. Largo
17: Allegro
18: Ombra mai fu (from Opera 'Serse' HWV 40)
19: Adagio
20: Allegro
21: Adagio
22: Menuett
23: Variations 'The Harmonious Blacksmith' for Oboe, Bassoon and Harpsichord (HWV 430)

Composer: George Frideric Handel

Number of Discs: 1

Orchestra: Sinfonia Varsovia

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