Martin Helmchen, Arabella Steinbacher, Nareh Arghamanyan, Mari Kodama, Julia Fischer - Creating Timeless Classics (2014) [SACD]

This timeless collection is pretty much every piece you would expect to be included, and then some. A good variety of music to please every palate, from an inimitable and incredibly precise performance by Julia Fischer to Mari Kodama’s solo piano whose splendid movement allows you to experience the full glory of Beethoven’s music.
But that's no surprise, since PENTATONE has some of the finest interpreters in its catalogue to draw from and over 150 surround-sound albums - each and every one a top-quality DSD recording.
This compilation can be enjoyed by both the curious beginner and classical aficionado. Includes music by Schumann, Tchaikovsky, Bach, Corelli, Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Korngold, Blake, Rachmaninov, Schubert, Shostakovich, Saint-Saëns.
Around the start of the new millennium, three music enthusiasts came together to launch a new music label that promised to redefine the way people listen to classical music. Their vision was crystal clear: to offer an unrivalled classical music experience through superior audio technology.
The introduction of 5-channel surround sound which made this experience possibly came at a time when classical music sales were suffering. But PENTATONE’s founders were unwilling to compromise their vision, so convinced were they of the new technology that they launched their own label in 2001. After a somewhat rocky start, the label quickly began adding talented artists to its roster. Now, 13 years later, PENTATONE enjoys a reputation for excellence, its catalogue comprising some of the very best that classical music has to offer.
For all their diversity, the artists featured on PENTATONE have one thing in common. They all put their heart and soul into the music, drawing on every last drop of creativity, skill, and determination to perfect their compositions.
PENTATONE exists to extract everything that went into creating these timeless classics and put it before the listener with a resolution and crispness not found anywhere else. We don’t dabble in technology for technology’s sake – we believe it’s the only way to truly appreciate these great works of art. As we celebrate 13 years of PENTATONE and prepare for a changing of the guard, it is time to reflect on our achievements and look toward the future.