As part of the global music relief effort to benefit those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, some of the biggest names of the classical music world have come together to release Classics for Japan – Music for Healing, a digital-only album released on April 6, with all proceeds going to the Japanese Red Cross Society.
Featuring favourites of the classical music repertoire, such as the Andante from Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.21, Massenet’s Meditation from Thais and Beethoven’sMoonlight Piano Sonata, the album boasts a stellar list of artists who are either Japanese or who have enjoyed particular success in Japan, including Mitsuko Uchida, Daniel Barenboim, Seiji Ozawa, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Alice Sara Ott and Akiko Suwanai.
The featured world-class artists hope to demonstrate to classical music lovers across the world the uniting force of music, bringing comfort and relief to all both through the power of music and through the direct proceeds of the album. Funds will be used for the provision of immediate relief and resources, and for the ongoing recovery of the affected population.
Deutsche Grammophon and Decca Classics are working together to release and promote Classics for Japan – Music for Healing. Universal Music is donating its total income from the album to the Japanese Red Cross Society, the artists having waived all their royalties.
Classics for Japan – Music for Healing
Available now from all online retailers! iTunes
Album tracklist (tracks will also be available individually):
1. Faure: Pavane Boston Symphony Orchestra / Seiji Ozawa
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No 21 – II. Andante Mitsuko Uchida / ECO / Tate
3. Tarrega: Recuerdos de la Alhambra Kaori Muraji
4. Mozart: Piano Sonata No 16 ‘Facile’ – II. Andante Mitsuko Uchida
5. Massenet: Meditation from Thais Anne-Sophie Mutter / WPO / Levine
6. Bach: Air on the G String (Orch. Suite No 3) Berlin Phil / von Karajan
7. Beethoven: Symphony No 7 – II. Allegretto Saito Kinen Orchestra/Seiji Ozawa
8. Beethoven: Piano Sonata No 8 ‘Pathetique’ – II. Adagio cantabile Vladimir Ashkenazy
9. Brahms: Symphony No 1: Andante Sostenuto Saito Kinen Orchestra / Seiji Ozawa
10. Chopin: Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 – Vladimir Ashkenazy
11. Saint-Saens: The Swan (Carnival of the Animals) Mischa Maisky cello / Orpheus CO
12. Mozart: Clarinet Concerto: Gervase de Peyer clarinet / LSO / Peter Maag
13 – 15. Tchaikovsky: Souvenir d’un lieu cher Akiko Suwanai violin / Philip Moll piano
16. Liszt: La Campanella Alice Sara Ott
17. Beethoven: Violin Concerto – II. Larghetto Anne-Sophie Mutter / Berlin PO / von Karajan
18. Mozart: Lacrimosa (Requiem) Wiener Singverein / WPO / von Karajan
19. Beethoven: Piano Sonata Op 27 No 2 ‘Moonlight’ Daniel Barenboim
20. Traditional arr. George Martin: Amazing Grace Hayley Westenra
21. Chausson: Poeme: Akiko Suwanai violin / Philharmonia Orchestra / Charles Dutoit
