Thea Musgrave & Tobias Picker Headline New CD/DVD Releases
By Francisco SalazarThis week audiences can stream works by three acclaimed contemporary composers. Here is a look at the new recordings.
Opera Without Words
Naxos will release a recording featuring one of Tobias Picker’s most performed symphonic works, “The Encantadas,” with narration by the composer, paired with Picker’s newest symphonic work, “Opera Without Words,” in its world-premiere recording. The recording features the Nashville Symphony conducted by Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero.
In a statement about the works, Picker said, “There is a gap between the symphony orchestra culture and the opera culture. I’ve inhabited these two worlds for a long time and have seen how they tend to be unaware of each other. So, by returning to one of those worlds I’d been away from for so long, I wanted to bridge that gap for myself and, hopefully, for others.”
The Voice of Our Ancestors
LYRITA releases highlights of three important choral works by Thea Musgrave. The album will include “Rorate Coeli (1973),” “Missa Brevis (2017),” and “The Voices of Our Ancestors (2014)” and features the New York Virtuoso Singers under the direction of Harold Rosenbaum. Guest artists include the American Brass Quintet, Sarah Griffiths, Sishel Claverie, Chad Kranak, and Elijah Blaisdell.
Sing, Wearing the Sea
Naxos’ new recording features composer Jake Runestad’s 10 choral works. The album is performed by the Kantorei Choral Ensemble under the direction of its artistic director, Joel Rinsema. Among the works included are “The Secret of the Sea” and “Let My Love Be Heard.”
Lieder
Tenor Jonathan Antoine releases a brand-new EP recorded at Abbey Road, Air Studios and Capitol Studios in LA with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The new EP features “Dien Ist Mein Ganzes Herz,” “Amor Ti Vieta,” “Caruso,” and “Nessun Dorma”
In a press statement, Jonathan said, “I sincerely hope that you enjoy this token of my gratitude to you all. In these songs, I give myself wholly to you, and all I ask in return is that you take a few moments away from the scramble of the wild adventure that is modern life to enjoy some music.”
Requiem
Naxos releases the world-premiere recording of Alexander Kastalsky’s Requiem in its complete and revised, 17-movement version for orchestra, choir, and soloists. The album, which was recorded live in Washington’s National Cathedral, features the combined forces of the Cathedral Choral Society, Clarion Choir, Kansas City Chorale, soloists, soprano Anna Denis and bass-baritone Joseph Beutel. Leonard Slatkin conducts the Orchestra of St. Lukes.