The PARMA production team knows how to make the most out of 28 days. From traveling internationally to record new music from numerous composers and performers, to producing full scale video sessions, recording a long lost work by Leonard Bernstein, and finishing four albums, here’s an inside look at PARMA’s February productions.
Historic Productions
The production team kicked off this month with the recording of Leonard Bernstein’s long lost Music for String Quartet at Rockport MA’s Shalin Liu Performance Center. The piece, composed by Bernstein in 1936 at age 18 while a student at Harvard University in Cambridge, was performed by Lucia Lin, Natalie Rose Kress, Danny Kim, and Ronald Feldman, and recorded by PARMA Senior Producer Brad Michel on February 6.
Read the full session report and the original story of its rediscovery here:
Carnegie Hall with Trio Casals
As Bernstein’s piece received its world premiere recording in Rockport during the day, PARMA team members touched down in New York that same evening to see Trio Casals give a live performance of their 2021 Navona Records release, MOTO ETERNO at Carnegie Hall. Featuring the works of numerous international composers, the ensemble performed for a lively audience.
Members of Trio Casals (Alexandr Kislitsyn, Anna Kislitsyna, Ovidiu Marinescu) take a bow after their February 6, 2023 concert at Carnegie Hall
Chamber Works with Sarah Walin Huff
The PARMA production team returned to the Shalin Liu on February 7, this time to capture composer Sarah Walin Huff’s Ayre of Grievances. Performed by violist Mark Berger, violinist Julia Glenn, and flutist Jessica Lizak, this recording marks the final piece to be included on her upcoming album of chamber music, to be released on Navona Records.
Live Concerts with the Kühn Choir
On the other side of the Atlantic, the production team was gearing up to capture a live video concert of works from VOICES OF EARTH AND AIR VOL 4 from Navona Records. Filmed live at Korunní Chapel, the program was performed by the Kühn Choir of Prague and conducted by Lenka Navrátilová.
New Music with the Brno Contemporary Orchestra
Shortly after, the production team synced up with the Brno Contemporary Orchestra at Brno’s Orlí Street Theater to record composer Michael Roush’s Stearns Wharf, and composer James Shrader’s I Saw Three Ships and Watchman Tell Us of the Night, a set of Christmas tunes that were completed in two one-hour sessions.
The Latest from Trio Casals
Back in the United States, the production team recorded the final works to be included on a new album from Trio Casals. Set up in West Chester University’s Madeline Wing Adler Theater, the team captured works by composers Bruce Babcock, Andre’ E. Godsey, and the late Hilary Tann, all of which will be featured on A GRAND JOURNEY VOL 2.
Trio Casals cellist Ovidiu Marinescu during a recording session for A GRAND JOURNEY VOL 2
Video Productions with Carl Vollrath
The team proceeded south to Mobile County AL, where video productions were underway in Bellingrath Gardens, a 65-acre public garden and historic home to Walter and Bessie Bellingrath. The film captured will be used in a full-scale video production of Carl Vollrath’s symphonic suite by the same name, performed by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
Composer Carl Vollrath at Bellingrath Gardens
Benda Quartet Sessions
The production team then wrapped up recording for a Fall 2022 Featured Recording Opportunity this month at Czech Radio Ostrava with composer Christopher Brakel. Performed by the Benda Quartet, Brakel’s piece Word-Shadows will be included on an upcoming visual album from Navona Records.
Christina Rusnak at the Shalin Liu
February productions concluded back at the Shalin Liu, this time with the Juventas New Music Ensemble, who recorded five works by composer Christina Rusnack. Each of the works will be featured on an upcoming album of chamber music, which will be her second standalone project with PARMA.
