Some of my classical music friends are convinced that the art form died in the 1920s — and Schoenberg killed it. Contemporary music is uniformly academic, difficult to perform, and even harder to listen to. Airat Ichmouratov is but one of several contemporary composers who refute those stereotypes time and again. Ichmouratov is a true […]
contemporary classical music
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Dreams of a New Day – Songs of the Black Experience
This is an important album. Its concept and execution make it so. Baritone Will Liverman has assembled a program of art songs by Black composers spanning over a hundred years. Each composer used the foundation of the classical art song. And each created something different that enriches the genre. Liverman commissioned Shawn E. Okpebholo’s “Two […]
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Benno Ammann – Missa Defensor Pacis blends new and old
Swiss composer and conductor Benno Amman embraced the full range of 20th Century composition — from neo-classical to experimental. That eclecticism is, I think, what makes the Missa Defensor Pacis so successful. It’s a work that could only be written in the 20th Century, and yet it seamlessly incorporates traditions of the past. Ammann was commissioned to […]
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London Brass excel with Edward Gregson release
Edward Gregson is world-renowned for his brass compositions. This release features some of his best. In 2008 Gregson from the Royal Northern College of Music to compose full-time. I think it significant that most of the works here are post-retirement. The Symphony in two movements, for example, was written in 2012, and revised in 2014 […]
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Arnold Rosner Requiem — Timeless
Toccata Classics has done a real service to music with this recording. It’s one of Arnold Rosner’s most substantial works. And, unfortunately, one most likely to only be heard through recording rather than live performances. The Requiem is a massive work. It contemplates death through a variety of traditions: Zen Buddhism, the Jewish Kaddish, the […]
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Eric Coates Orchestral Works, Vol. 2 continues to entertain
This release picks up where the first volume left off. It’s another collection of wonderful music by Eric Coates. Coates’ output was fairly consistent. it’s instantly appealing, modest in scope, and always effective in entertaining the listener. This release includes popular favorites such as “London Bridge,” and “Calling All Workers.” The cornerstones of the program […]
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Pancho Vladigerov Reissue Series Leads With Piano Concertos
In his native Bulgaria, composer and pianist Pancho Vladigerov is considered a national treasure. A treasure, perhaps, that was a little too closely guarded until now. For some reason, it’s always been difficult to access Vladigerov’s music outside of his Bulgaria. Thanks to Capriccio, the world will finally discover what it’s been missing. This release […]
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El Canto del Cisne Negro – Latin-American music that merits attention
In the liner notes, the artists write they’re presenting “a collection of largely unknown works for violoncello and piano from Latin America…[These composers] traveled to Europe, where they found themselves torn between their admiration for the culture and their nostalgia for… their own cultural roots. We share their experience, and their music resonated deeply with […]
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Eivind Groven Symphonies solidly Norwegian
Norwegian composer Eivind Groven had a unique compositional voice. It was informed by his intimate knowledge of Norwegian folk music and folk instruments. Groven came from a family of folk musicians and was an accomplished Hardanger fiddle player. While similar to a violin, there are many differences. These differences form the basis of the music […]