Leshnoff Symphony No. 3 & Piano Concerto SACD

Reference Recordings proudly presents two new works from leading American composer Jonathan Leshnoff. Distinguished by The New York Times as "a leader of contemporary American lyricism, ' Leshnoff is renowned for his music's striking harmonies, structural complexity, and powerful themes. These world premiere recordings showcase the Kansas City Symphony performing his third symphony, inspired by World War I letters home, with texts sung by baritone Stephen Powell. It is coupled with Leshnoff 's new and exciting piano concerto, dedicated to and performed by pianist Joyce Yang.

The Kansas City Symphony has a vision to transform hearts, minds and its community through the power of symphonic music. Founded in 1982, the Symphony has established itself as a major force in the cultural life of the community. Praised for performances of uncompromising standard, the orchestra is the largest in the region and holds a national reputation under the artistic leadership of Music Director Michael Stern.

This is the eighth album in Reference Recordings' series with Kansas City Symphony. Previous albums are Shakespeare's Tempest; the GRAMMY® Award-winning Britten's Orchestra, an Elgar/Vaughan Williams project, Miraculous Metamorphoses, an all-Saint-Saëns CD featuring the magnificent Organ Symphony, an album of works from contemporary American composer Adam Schoenberg (nominated for two GRAMMY® Awards), and most recently Gustav Holst's The Planets and The Perfect Fool. Two additional projects, featuring one-movement symphonies by Barber, Scriabin and Sibelius; and a live recording of works of Johannes Brahms, have been recorded and slated for future release.

This hybrid SACD release was recorded in the beautiful and acoustically acclaimed Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts by the team at Soundmirror, whose outstanding orchestral, solo, opera and chamber recordings have received more than 100 Grammy nominations and awards. For over 40 years, Soundmirror has recorded for every major classical record label, including Reference Recordings.

Since 1976, Reference Recordings has been one of the most innovative and respected independent labels in the music business. Reference Recordings releases are highly praised for their dedication to high quality sound in the service of great music. After more than 175 releases, RR is still recording what many consider to be the finest-sounding classical, jazz and blues discs in the world.

Music as fastidiously composed as this warrants a recording of the highest quality and certainly receives it from the Soundmirror team of Dirk Sobotka and Mark Donahue. They have captured with unerring skill both the fine acoustic ambience of the Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and the superb playing of the Kansas City Symphony... I recommend it unreservedly.