Quite a fresh spring breeze from PROFIL: a highly successful first quarter of 2010 prompts a look back at impressive international press reviews and awards for "Edition Günter Hänssler" and a highly optimistic look forward at the coming months.

Volume 1 of the "Semperoper Edition" causes a furore

German Record Critics' Prize (Best of 2/2010)

Right on time for the 25th anniversary of the reopening of Dresden's Semperoper after the Second World War, there it was: Volume 1 of the "Semperoper Edition" with the title "Gott welch Dunkel hier" (God what darkness here).

Zero hour. Dresden opera scenes in the first broadcast recordings after 1945. (Order No.: PH 10007). Now the box in Semperoper livery has been awarded the German Record Critics' Prize.

Under the editorial and dramaturgical supervision of Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk and its chief producer Steffen Lieberwirth, this box - consisting of 3 audio CDs, 1 DVD and a 240-page bilingual four-colour booklet - is Profil's most sumptuous and spectacular editorial achievement since the label was founded some seven years ago.

Some press comment: "The documentation (...) in this opening volume of the 'Semperoper Edition' from Profil was so detailed and comprehensive that the release is worth buying just for the accompanying booklet. (...) We hear voices of an expressiveness, elegance and power that our eyes are almost sure to fill with tears." (Audio / April 2010)

"They really are still to be found, the really big surprises, heart-rending, electrifying, overwhelming. One such experience is the new release from Profil Hänssler, 'Gott welch Dunkel hier' (...) What voices, what a vocal culture, what memories. The DVD (with rare film material from the archives of the DEFA foundation, a welcome new sponsor - Ed.) includes authentic film clips of Christel Goltz and Lisa Otto at the very start. (...) Another delight is the richly illustrated 241-page book that accompanies the discs. It is far more than a normal booklet; it is a compelling document of the period. 'Gott, welch Dunkel hier' introduces the series. After enjoying such a lovingly crafted edition, one can only echo Beethoven's words: Oh ineffable joy!" (Hans A. Hey, in "Der Merker" / Vienna)

"Anyone interested in opera is strongly recommended to investigate this documentary release from the house of Günter Hänssler. Not just for the rare historical recordings in good sound quality. Not just for the fine photographs. The box, which could not have been put together without the expert knowledge and passionate commitment of its creator Steffen Lieberwirth of MDR and his assistants, opens up entirely new avenues for the music market. A broadcasting archive is opened, its treasures are quite legally conveyed to the place where they belong — the ears of an intently listening audience. (...) The next project in Hänssler's Semperoper Edition is 'Fidelio', with which the Large House of the Staatstheater of Dresden — the temporary replacement for the ruined Semper opera house — was ceremonially opened in 1948." (Sebastian Sternberg in: Orpheus May / June 2010)

"Even this first part of the Semperoper Edition is a real treasure chest of sound; the wait for the second part will sorely try one's patience!" (Benjamin Künzel: Klingende Schatztruhe in: Klassik.com)

BBC AWARD FOR BYCHKOV'S "LOHENGRIN"

BBC Music Magazine has named the recording of Richard Wagner's opera "Lohengrin" by the WDR Symphony Orchestra of Cologne its "Disc of the Year". Conductor Semyon Bychkov and Günter Hänssler received the prize on Tuesday evening on behalf of the orchestra at London's new cultural venue Kings Place . The WDR recording, released on PROFIL, stood the test against 56 recordings by a total of 19 German orchestras, winning both in the "Best Opera Recording" category, selected by readers voting on the internet, and in the category "Disc of the Year", adjudicated by an expert jury.

WDR radio director Wolfgang Schmitz commented: "We are very proud of this special distinction for the WDR Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Semyon Bychkov. It once again confirms his impressive achievement and the exceptional quality of the orchestra. The prize is the culmination of 13 years working with Herr Bychkov and lends that collaboration an especial distinction." "I am very grateful for the award," said Semyon Bychkov in London. The whole project had been executed with great commitment on the part of all involved. "The fact that this has been recognized both by the public and by reviewers shows that we have succeeded in mediating the timeless qualities of Wagner's masterpiece," Bychkov added. BBC Music Magazine is the world's best-selling classical music monthly, and the BBC Music Magazine Awards are the only such prizes in which the main categories are voted for on the internet by the magazine's readers. The magazine's website recorded more than 30,000 votes for the nominees in a total of 18 categories.

WDR RADIO ORCHESTRA JOINS PROFIL

The WDR Symphony Orchestra is now joined by its sister ensemble, also affiliated to West German Radio (WDR), with a release of its own in the Profil catalogue. The musical orientation of the WDR Rundfunkorchester of Cologne extends from the lighter side of serious symphonic music through operetta, musicals and film music to highly topical computer-game tunes. This ensemble is capable of quite remarkable achievements in classical music, as can be seen from its premiere recording of Alexander Dargomizhsky's opera "Rusalka" in the original Russian with celebrated Russian soloists such as Evelina Dobratseva, Arutyun Kochinian, Vsevolod Grivnov and Marina Prudenskaya.

Order No.: PH 09024

The WDR Rundfunkorchester plays this music with passion and a sure sense of style, with Michail Jurowski as a Principal Conductor who knows the "Russian soul" at first hand. This complete recording is due to be followed shortly by more thrilling releases.

SPECTACULAR PREVIEW WITH CHRISTIAN THIELEMANN

Vol. 31 of the "Edition Staatskapelle Dresden" promises to be the symphonic highlight of 2010. Christian Thielemann makes an exclusive appearance with PROFIL in his spectacular inaugural concert of September 2009. Thielemann's highly regarded performance of Anton Bruckner's Eighth Symphony represented a sensational debut in his new post as future Principal Conductor of the Dresden Staatskapelle. At the same time, the release takes us full circle in the Staatskapelle Dresden series, which now runs from the very first recordings under Fritz Busch (Vol. 30) to the present day.


Volume 31 of the Edition Staatskapelle Dresden appears on June 1, 2010!

Edition Staatskapelle Dresden, Vol. 31 Christian Thielemann: Anton Bruckner Symphony No. 8 Order No.: PH 10031 (advance orders accepted: delivery from the end of May 2010)

More thrilling Profil releases of recent weeks in brief:

Boris Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 2 + Pieces for Piano Kirill Kondrashin, Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra Boris Tchaikovsky, piano PH10038

L. v. Beethoven: Sonatas + Variations Werner Bärtschi, Klavier, Wen-Sinn Yang, Violoncello PH10004

Summer Song Works by: Arnold, Ponchielli, del Aguila, Pascullli, Pierné David Johnson, Piano, Katsuya Watanabe, Oboe PH10001

Chopin Edition Vol. 7: Polish Songs Konrad Jarnot, baritone Eugene Mursky, piano PH04068