Simply Stunning original compositions performed solo.  Critically acclaimed Michika Fukumori on thirteen moving solo piano tunes, which are conversations between the piano and Michika. On “Piano Images” she combines music from her favorite composers (Rodgers, Porter, Jobim) with her stunning original compositions…there is ‘one’ piece, “Oceans in the Sky” that is ‘four-hands’ (with Steve Kuhn) that lights up the program…

Award winning Canadian cellist Shauna Rolston is considered by peers, the press, and fans alike to be one of the most compelling and distinctive musical voices on the stage today. Praised for her blazing technique and her ability to captivate the imagination and touch the heart of each audience member, Shauna continues to delight and astonish with a busy schedule of concerts, recordings, and world premieres.

“Guitarist Nobuki Takamen is … quite talented. Born in Japan but based out of New York City during recent years, Takamen is inspired most by Wes Montgomery (particularly when he plays octaves), swings well at fast tempos, and sounds most contemporary when stretching out on ballads. Three Wishes, which was recorded in Tokyo, has Takamen performing eight originals and “Scarborough Fai” with bassist Toshiyuki Tanahashi, either Naoki Aikawa or Akihito Yoshikawa on drums and, on two numbers, pianist Hitoshi Kanda. From bebop to introspective ballads, Nobuki Takamen shows throughout Three Wishes (his fourth album as a leader) that he is ready to be taken seriously as a major jazz guitarist.” – Scott Yanow, L.A. Jazz Scene

Many music lovers are not aware that the father of composer Richard Strauss was himself a composer, although better known as one of the great French horn players. Franz Strauss (1822-1905) was principal horn of the Munich Court Opera Orchestra for over 40 years and played in the world premieres of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, Die Meistersinger and Parsifal. This definitive recording of Richard Strauss’s two famous horn concertos is greatly enhanced by the inclusion of one of his father’s works. Steven Gross is currently principal horn of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and professor of horn at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Principal horn of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since February 1966, Dale Clevenger also pursues an active international conducting career. The Philharmonia Orchestra of Bratislava comprises the leading performers of the capital city of the Slovak Republic.

Besides being the father of composer Richard Strauss and one of the preeminent hornists of the 19th century, Franz Strauss (1822-1905) was also a composer of importance for the horn. Complementary works by Robert Schumann and Richard Strauss round out the album.

Hickman’s performance on this CD is laudable…his sound is brilliant in all registers…a fine performance… — ITG Journal

Besides being the father of composer Richard Strauss and one of the preeminent hornists of the 19th century, Franz Strauss (1822-1905) was also a composer of importance for the horn. Complementary works by Robert Schumann and Richard Strauss round out the album.

Many music lovers are not aware that the father of composer Richard Strauss was himself a composer, although better known as one of the great French horn players. Franz Strauss (1822-1905) was principal horn of the Munich Court Opera Orchestra for over 40 years and played in the world premieres of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, Die Meistersinger and Parsifal. This definitive recording of Richard Strauss’s two famous horn concertos is greatly enhanced by the inclusion of one of his father’s works. Steven Gross is currently principal horn of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and professor of horn at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Principal horn of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since February 1966, Dale Clevenger also pursues an active international conducting career. The Philharmonia Orchestra of Bratislava comprises the leading performers of the capital city of the Slovak Republic.

Many music lovers are not aware that the father of composer Richard Strauss was himself a composer, although better known as one of the great French horn players. Franz Strauss (1822-1905) was principal horn of the Munich Court Opera Orchestra for over 40 years and played in the world premieres of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, Die Meistersinger and Parsifal. This definitive recording of Richard Strauss’s two famous horn concertos is greatly enhanced by the inclusion of one of his father’s works. Steven Gross is currently principal horn of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and professor of horn at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Principal horn of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since February 1966, Dale Clevenger also pursues an active international conducting career. The Philharmonia Orchestra of Bratislava comprises the leading performers of the capital city of the Slovak Republic.

Besides being the father of composer Richard Strauss and one of the preeminent hornists of the 19th century, Franz Strauss (1822-1905) was also a composer of importance for the horn. Complementary works by Robert Schumann and Richard Strauss round out the album.