Steinway & Sons Announces New Record Label
Steinway & Sons recently announced the launch of its new Steinway & Sons record label. The first release on this label, Bach On A Steinway, debuted earlier this month at #3 on the Billboard Traditional Classical Album Chart. Bach On A Steinway features keyboard masterworks by J. S. Bach as performed by pianist Jeffrey Biegel, whose extensive embellishments and ornaments in a Baroque style give the recording a unique flavor. The album was produced by 15-time Grammy winner Steven Epstein.
“Biegel is a sensitive and imaginative interpreter who brings this music to life,” writes Jed Distler of ClassicsToday.com. “This auspicious and superbly engineered debut bodes well for the success of this new label.”
Until corrective surgery at the age of 3, Jeffrey Biegel was unable to hear or speak. The “reverse Beethoven” phenomenon can explain Mr. Biegel’s life in music, having heard only vibrations in his formative years. His electrifying technique and mesmerizing touch have garnered Mr. Biegel much critical acclaim, including high praise from Leonard Bernstein – who called him “a splendid musician and a brilliant performer.”
The Steinway & Sons label will highlight stars from Steinway’s Concert & Artist program performing on exceptional Steinway grand pianos. Each of the planned four releases per year will feature a repertoire with broad appeal.
“The opportunity to bring the talents of Steinway Artists to the public through new recordings, impeccably produced and engineered, has always been an exciting concept for us at Steinway & Sons,” said Ron Losby, President, Steinway & Sons Americas. “We are thrilled with the early success of this new venture.”
View album at arkivmusic.com
Comments
Interesting use of a wet acoustic to compensate for non-pedaling.
a tremendous nice steinway grand,gives Bach to us pure by a n real artist…,soundtrack clean and super!!
amazing…
Wonderful interpretation! I hope this label is a start of the “classical music revival”…
Fresh and masterful playing. i haven’t heard of this pianist before but in today’s world there are a many such as Jeffrey Biegel who deserve to be heard and appreciated more. I know that Steinway has an impressive roster of artists for such a project and i commend them for launching it with this excellent recording. The production is impeccable as well — again clear and fresh sounding. Personally I prefer to hear Bach on a Steinway more than other period instruments.
I am always interested in hearing new keyboard recordings of Bach. Most important question: Does this Biegel fellow keep his gob shut during recording? No stupid singing or humming, like that creep Glenn Gould, who was apparently a brilliant musician but ruined everything he touched with his grotesque vocalizations?