Lera Auerbach is a prodigiously talented Russian pianist and composer who was born in the city of Chelyabinsk, located to the east of the Ural mountain range, near the Siberian border. Auerbach's promise at the keyboard was discovered early, and she made her debut as a pianist with an orchestra at the age of 8. At the age of 11, Auerbach composed an opera that proved a cause celèbre when it was staged in Russia, and a touring version of the work was seen throughout the Soviet Union. When Auerbach was 17, she was sent to the United States on a concert tour, but decided to defect to the West; she was one of the last Soviet artists to do so. Auerbach continued at Juilliard, where she studied composition with Milton Babbitt and piano with Joseph Kalichstein.
In 2000, Auerbach served the first of two artist residencies at the Baden-Baden home of Johannes Brahms at the behest …….
From AllMusic

50 Chillout Lounge Classics Vol. 2 - well, the name gives it away pretty much: The finest tracks for relaxing, chilling, lounging!. Great tracks by Poeppelbaum & Eigenart, Rene Ablaze pres. Simonen, Saafi Brothers, Henning Richter and many more! 50 Chillout Lounge Classics Vol. 2!

The meteoric rise of Jamie Cullum has been one of 2004's biggest success stories. From being a virtual unknown this time last year, the release of his major label debut Twentysomething last October has led to him becoming the acceptable face of easy listening. From teenagers too cool for Busted et al, through to grannies, his wide spectrum of appeal has seen him well on his way to becoming a household name. Recorded in the beautiful surroundings of Blenheim Palace earlier this year, this was Cullum's biggest show to date but he doesn't display any hints of nervousness.

Luciano Berio was one of the most important Italian composers of the second half of the twentieth century, a leader of the international avant-garde who has managed to write music that is communicative and pleasing to audiences. He received musical instruction from his father and grandfather, organists in Oneglia, and continued musical training through his school years. After World War II he went to Milan to study law but also became a composition pupil with Ghedini, a composer known for his interest in many styles. He passed that interest on to Berio, who started his career as a neo-Classicist.
While in school Berio met met a remarkable American singer, Cathy Berberian. They married and went to the U.S. on their ……..
From Allmusic