Notes and Editorial Reviews
Joseph Schwantner was born in Chicago in 1943 and is a prominent figure in American contemporary music, his works receiving many accolades including the Pulitzer Prize for 'Aftertones of Infinity', Friedheim Awards first prize for 'Music of Amber' and a Grammy Award nomination in the category, 'Best New Classical Composition' for 'A Sudden Rainbow'. Until recently he was Professor of Music at Yale University. His music has been peformed extensively worldwide and is commonly compared to the likes of Berg, Crumb, Messiaen and Debussy; however, the modern nature of his work should not scare people off as this is accessable music, powerfully emotive and cinematic in style, with luminous textures and dramatic imagery. 'A Sudden Rainbow' is
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Schwantner's earliest work on this disc and calls for amplified piano and celesta and gives a prominent role to pitched and unpitched percussion. 'Angelfire' is written for and performed on this disc by violinist Anne Akiko Meyers and explores the unique expression aspects of the violin. Again Schwantner requests that the solo instrument be amplified so that it can compete with the sonorities of such a large orchestra. The 'September Canticles' was commissioned by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and written as a personal tribute to the victoms of 9/11. The combination of menacing, chromatic tonal suspensions and a heart-wrenching melody from the strings enhances the powerful and poignant nature of this one-movement work. Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Angelfire by Joseph Schwantner
Performer:
Anne Akiko Meyers (Violin)
Conductor:
Andrew Litton
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 2001; USA
2.
A Sudden Rainbow by Joseph Schwantner
Conductor:
Andrew Litton
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1986; USA
3.
Beyond Autumn by Joseph Schwantner
Performer:
Gregory Hustis (French Horn)
Conductor:
Andrew Litton
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1999; USA
4.
September Canticle by Joseph Schwantner
Performer:
James Diaz (Organ)
Conductor:
Andrew Litton
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 2002; USA
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