History of Arabesque Recordings, LLC
Managing Member, Marvin M. Reiss

Arabesque Recordings has always stood as an independent leader in the classical market.  Founded in 1983, the original company was created to produce quality recordings from artists who were not recorded by mainstream recording labels.   At its commencement, Arabesque quickly established itself as a leader in nineteenth and twentieth century chamber and piano music, with luminaries such as Ian Hobson, Garrick Ohlsson, and the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio.

After previous focus on historic recordings, in 1986 Arabesque started producing original recordings which featured a wide range of repertoire.   The company's early projects included pianist David Golub's piano recordings, including the works of Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Rachmaninoff.   In addition, the Golub/Kaplan/Carr Piano Trio released The Piano Trios of Smetana and Tchaikovsky which won the FMIM Indie award for the best classical ensemble in 1995.

In 1991, Garrick Ohlsson started his ambitious recording of the Chopin series entitled The Complete Chopin Piano Works.   Completed in 2002, this thirteen volume set includes the orchestral works with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, a songs volume featuring soprano Ewa Podles and flutist Elizabeth Mann, as well as, the chamber works with Leila Josefowicz on violin and Carter Brey on cello.

Today, the company prides itself on presenting our traditional repertoire of piano and chamber music, in addition to contemporary and orchestral works.   In 2003, Arabesque's traditional recordings include Garrick Ohlsson's Beethoven Piano Sonatas series and the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio's Beethoven: The Complete Cycle of Trios, Volumes I and II.   Recently released albums which feature contemporary repertoire include Bruce Brubaker's Inner Cities: Music for Piano by John Adams and Alvin Curran; Anne-Marie McDermott's Prokofiev: Piano Sonatas Nos. 8, 3, 1, & 9; and In the Arms of the Beloved: Music of Richard Danielpour.   Our orchestral albums include Symphony at the Opera: Great Opera Interludes, with Grammy nominated conductor Donald Runnicles and the San Francisco Opera Orchestra.

In 1992, Arabesque Recordings broadened its commitment to audience demands with the creation of Arabesque Jazz.   An extension of the original company, Arabesque Jazz first featured artists such as Jane Ira Bloom, 8 Bold Souls, and Carmen Lundy.   Shortly after establishing a jazz line, Arabesque became home to jazz legends Art Farmer and Charles McPherson.   In addition to supporting traditional artists.   Arabesque Jazz expanded stylistically, featuring artists such as Dave Douglas and Bobby Sanabria.   Arabesque Jazz's upcoming releases include albums from Donny McCaslin, Chico Freeman, and Charles McPherson.

Arabesque Recordings have also released Latin jazz piano sensation Hilton Ruiz's Enchantment Jane Ira Bloom's Chasing Paint: Jane Ira Bloom Meets Jackson Pollack, and Donny McCaslin's sophomore album, The Way Through, featuring Luciana Souza and Ben Monder.

Arabesque Recordings continues to maintain its commitment to producing fine recordings in the classical and jazz genres, while creating new projects, such as "Pioneering Spirit!" dedicated to producing contemporary American music of the 20th and 21st centuries.   Pioneering Spirit is a line of contemporary American music, spanning from the beginning of the 20th century to today.   Works in this Arabesque subcategory include composer Aaron Kemis's Simple Songs, Richard Danielpour's String Quartets with the American String Quartet, among others.