This New Music Friday, Navona and Ansonica Records presents music highlighting historical figures both artistic and notorious, along with new explorations into the bright and uplifting qualities of afro-jazz.
Dive in and discover new music from Matthew Heap, Kristina Marinova, The Opus Project, Joanna Marsden, and Trans-Kalahari Quintet.
DILLINGER: AN AMERICAN ORATORIO
Matthew Heap
DILLINGER: AN AMERICAN ORATORIO from composer Matthew Heap in collaboration with librettist Darren Canady dramatizes the life of notorious Great Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger. Seen alternately as both an enemy of the state and a folk hero, Dillinger’s story is a fitting backdrop to Heap’s nuanced exploration of class warfare and the American Dream.
LOVES ME NOT
Kristina Marinova
Bulgarian-born pianist Kristina Marinova harnesses the healing powers of emotional melodies on LOVES ME NOT, a curated selection of soulful classical piano pieces spanning three centuries, from Bach to Rachmaninoff. The compositions are united by their melancholic themes. They bear within themselves a seed of hope, a new beginning.
MICHEL PIGNOLET DE MONTÉCLAIR
The Opus Project
Celebrated Montréal flutist Joanna Marsden explores the work of an eighteenth century French composer on MICHEL PIGNOLET DE MONTÉCLAIR from Navona Records. Orchestrated with flute, viola da gamba, harpsichord, and theorbo, The Opus Project gives new life to these centuries-old compositions for modern audiences.
AT LAST MO LAPENG
Trans-Kalahari Quintet
AT LAST MO LAPENG marks the Trans-Kalahari Quintet’s second sensational release with Ansonica Records. Matt Dacso, Andrew Chinganga, Zakes Gwaze, Lekofi Sejeso, and Arthur “Makhwenkwe” Mengwe bring the ensemble to unbelievable new heights on this album, with funky afro-jazz recordings and spectacular percussive features that are sure to please the ear.
