This New Music Friday, Navona and Big Round Records present wide-ranging explorations in music, history, and culture, from long-lost works to contemporary pieces that offer unique reflections on the past and more.
Dive in and discover new music from Leonard Bernstein, Kenneth Thompkins, Shawn Okpebholo, Christina Rusnak, Juventas New Music Ensemble, Lawrence K. Moss, Edward “Ted” Messerschmidt, Henry Wolking, David F. Wilborn, Janice Macaulay, Marilyn Bliss, Paul Paccione, Filharmonie Brno, Berl Olswanger, Alias Brass, and David Harris.
MUSIC FOR STRING QUARTET
Leonard Bernstein
Available now on all platforms: the world premiere recording of renowned composer Leonard Bernstein’s long-lost MUSIC FOR STRING QUARTET! Composed by an 18-year-old Bernstein during his studies at Harvard, the historic piece is performed here by Lucia Lin, Natalie Rose Kress, Danny Kim, and Ronald Feldman.
COMPELLING PORTRAITS
Kenneth Thompkins
Drawing upon the works of multiple contemporary artists, COMPELLING PORTRAITS reflects the contribution of contemporary Black composers to a rich musical legacy. These compositions take listeners on a journey from the contemplative to the triumphant, showcasing Thompkins’s range and sensitivity as a performer.
VOICES OF THE LAND
Christina Rusnak
A powerful tribute to the land and the people who shaped it, VOICES OF THE LAND invites listeners to reflect on the complex history of America. The pieces on this album explore the emotions and experiences of settlers, miners, and indigenous people as they navigated the challenges, triumphs, and indignities of early American history.
BRASS TACKS 2
Lawrence K. Moss, Edward “Ted” Messerschmidt, Henry Wolking, David F. Wilborn, Janice Macaulay, Marilyn Bliss, Paul Paccione
It’s no secret that brass instruments can infuse any musical setting with a hair-raising surge of untamed energy and fervor. On BRASS TACKS 2 from Navona Records, the brass family finds itself the spotlight, showcasing unique tones and unhindered expressiveness that’ve been carefully extracted by a variety of seasoned composers and performers.
BERL OLSWANGER IN THE STUDIO
Berl Olswanger
Berl Olswanger, “Mr. Music of Memphis,” returns for a fifth installment of timeless archival recordings on Big Round Records with BERL OLSWANGER IN THE STUDIO, a never-before-heard collection transports listeners back to the pianist’s private studio in 1950’s Memphis where he recorded his early compositions.
PRISM
Alias Brass
When thinking of versatile instrumental setups, the brass quintet might not be the first thing that comes to mind. A grave oversight, according to Alias Brass, who aims to change any such preconceived notions with their vibrant renditions of highly diverse and inclusive music on PRISM.
YOU LOVED ME THEN
David Harris
YOU LOVED ME THEN reflects composer David Harris’ musical journey, from his first experiences with classical, to encounters with psychedelic rock and discoveries of jazz legends. With the help of renowned pianist Paul English and a cadre of exceptional jazz talents, Harris brings some of his favorites to life on this Big Round Records release.
