This New Music Friday, Navona and Ravello Records present a selection of socially-oriented works that draw influences from art, magical archetypes, deep introspection, and the power of unity.
Dive in and discover new music from The Crossing, Kevin Lee Sun, Cornelia Sommer, Michael K. Slayton, Paul Cohen, and Allison Brewster Franzetti.
WAYS YOU WENT
The Crossing, Martin Bresnick, Mason Bates
Recently named Musical America’s 2024 Ensemble of the Year, Donald Nally’s chamber choir The Crossing stuns with their latest studio album, WAYS YOU WENT. Vibrant, exhilarating, and uplifting, this new release features original compositions by composers Martin Bresnick and Mason Bates. Both of their works, one introspective, the other socially oriented, are snapshots of a time gone by. The Crossing brings both to life with perfect mastery.
THE PEOPLE UNITED
Kevin Lee Sun
Kevin Lee Sun delivers an electrifying call to action in THE PEOPLE UNITED, a monumental set of 36 variations by the late American composer Frederic Rzewski. Its theme originated in Chile when composer Sergio Ortega heard the soul-stirring chants in Santiago, months before the 1973 Chilean coup d’etat. Inspired by Ortega’s music and Chile’s upheavals, Rzewski combined the chant with revolutionary songs from various cultures to deliver a clear message of solidarity in his 1975 hour-long masterpiece, eponymously named The People United Will Never Be Defeated!
NEW ENCHANTMENTS
Cornelia Sommer
Fairy tales have deeply and consistently fascinated humanity throughout the centuries. Enter NEW ENCHANTMENTS, bassoonist Cornelia Sommer’s exploration of magical archetypes that features music by living composers along with new arrangements by Sommer herself across six world premiere recordings. Enriching and engrossing, this album could not be more aptly titled.
MIRÓRS
Michael K. Slayton
Navona Records is pleased to present Mirórs, the first single from composer Michael K. Slayton’s forthcoming album SAGE BRUSHES. Mirórs seeks to honor the visionary work of Spanish painter and sculptor Joan Miró (1893–1983). Each movement highlights the flute, violin, and clarinet, respectively, attempting to aurally render the thematic heartbeat of Miró’s work.
AMERICAN LANDSCAPES
Paul Cohen
Saxophonist Paul Cohen’s AMERICAN LANDSCAPES presents three centuries of original American Music for Saxophone, from Caryl Florio’s concerto (1879) for saxophone and orchestra, to 20th and 21st century works (saxophone and piano) by Alec Wilder, Steve Cohen, Percy Grainger, Richard Lane, and Elie Siegmeister. Cohen is joined by pianist Allison Brewster Franzetti and the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra in this Ravello Records release.
