Groundbreaking New Music From Mason Bates & The Richmond Symphony On HDCD!
Reference Recordings is proud to present a World Première recording of MASON BATES: Children of Adam, songs of creation - Commissioned by the Richmond Symphony; coupled with RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Dona nobis pacem. These pieces both draw inspiration from Walt Whitman's poetry and this release celebrates his bicentennial (born 1819).
Children of Adam is a collection of exuberant celebrations of creation, from American poets to sacred and Native American texts. The title comes from a Whitman poem that appears throughout the work in the form of brief "fanfare intermezzos." Between these choral fanfares, each movement of the work offers a different perspective on creation.
These works are brilliantly performed by the Richmond Symphony conducted by Steven Smith, and the Richmond Symphony Chorus, Erin R. Freeman, Director. Solo performers on the Vaughan Williams are Michelle Areyzaga, soprano, and Kevin Deas, bass-baritone. Recorded live at the Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center, Richmond Virginia; engineered by Ed Thompson; and produced by Ed Thompson, Victor and Marina A. Ledin.
Recently named the most-performed composer of his generation and the 2018 Composer of the Year by Musical America, Mason Bates serves as the first composer-in-residence of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Championed by renowned conductors such as Riccardo Muti, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Leonard Slatkin, his symphonic work has received widespread acceptance for its unique integration of electronic sounds, and his opera The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, won a GRAMMY® Award for Best Opera Recording".
The Richmond Symphony, conducted by Steven Smith, is the largest performing arts organization in Central Virginia. The organization includes an orchestra of more than 70 professional musicians, the 150-voice Richmond Symphony Chorus and more than 260 students in the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra programs. The Symphony was recently named one of 21 American orchestras selected as a leader in orchestra innovation by the League of American Orchestras through its Futures Fund Initiative.
FRESH! is part of Reference RecordingsÂ’ mission to encourage new artists and give them a strong platform for promotion and sales nationally and internationally.
• HDCD
• World Premiere Recording
• Recorded live at the Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center, Richmond, Virginia
• Engineered by Ed Thompson
• Total time: 61:17
• 28-page booklet
• Made in USA
Musicians:
Richmond Symphony
Steven Smith, conductor
Michelle Areyzaga, soprano
Kevin Deas, bass-baritone
Richmond Symphony Chorus
Erin R. Freeman, director
Selections:
Mason Bates (b. 1977)
Children Of Adam
1. I. "From Pent-Up Aching Rivers" From Children Of Adam, Walt Whitman
2. II. Psalms 144 & 128
3. III. "I Sing The Body Electric" From Children Of Adam, Walt Whitman
4. IV. Tolepe Menenak ("Turtle Island", From The Algonquian), Mataponi Indians Of Virginia, As Told By Sharon Sun Eagle, Dictated By Hope Armstrong Erb
5. V. "Prayers Of Steel" & "Smoke And Steel", Carl Sandburg
6. VI. From The Book Of Genesis
7. VII. From "To The Garden, The World" From Children Of Adam, Walt Whitman
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Dona Nobis Pacem
8. I. Agnus Dei
9. II. Beat! Beat! Drums! Walt Whitman
10. III. Reconciliation, Walt Whitman
11. IV. Dirge For Two Veterans, Walt Whitman
12. V. The Angel Of Death, John Bright
13. VI. 'O Man Greatly Beloved
Reference Recordings is proud to present a World Première recording of MASON BATES: Children of Adam, songs of creation - Commissioned by the Richmond Symphony; coupled with RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Dona nobis pacem. These pieces both draw inspiration from Walt Whitman's poetry and this release celebrates his bicentennial (born 1819).
Children of Adam is a collection of exuberant celebrations of creation, from American poets to sacred and Native American texts. The title comes from a Whitman poem that appears throughout the work in the form of brief "fanfare intermezzos." Between these choral fanfares, each movement of the work offers a different perspective on creation.
These works are brilliantly performed by the Richmond Symphony conducted by Steven Smith, and the Richmond Symphony Chorus, Erin R. Freeman, Director. Solo performers on the Vaughan Williams are Michelle Areyzaga, soprano, and Kevin Deas, bass-baritone. Recorded live at the Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center, Richmond Virginia; engineered by Ed Thompson; and produced by Ed Thompson, Victor and Marina A. Ledin.
Recently named the most-performed composer of his generation and the 2018 Composer of the Year by Musical America, Mason Bates serves as the first composer-in-residence of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Championed by renowned conductors such as Riccardo Muti, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Leonard Slatkin, his symphonic work has received widespread acceptance for its unique integration of electronic sounds, and his opera The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, won a GRAMMY® Award for Best Opera Recording".
The Richmond Symphony, conducted by Steven Smith, is the largest performing arts organization in Central Virginia. The organization includes an orchestra of more than 70 professional musicians, the 150-voice Richmond Symphony Chorus and more than 260 students in the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra programs. The Symphony was recently named one of 21 American orchestras selected as a leader in orchestra innovation by the League of American Orchestras through its Futures Fund Initiative.
FRESH! is part of Reference RecordingsÂ’ mission to encourage new artists and give them a strong platform for promotion and sales nationally and internationally.
a veritable feast for the ears
Add this CD to your shortlist to purchase! You won't regret it. The performances are excellent, spirited and the sound is among the best I've heard on any recent recording. I'm sure that this is, in part, due to the excellent acoustics in the old Loews State theater, but I must also tip my hat to producer/recording engineer Ed Thompson, mastering engineer Mark Donahue and all the folks at Soundmirror for another job well done. Highly recommended.Features:
• HDCD
• World Premiere Recording
• Recorded live at the Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center, Richmond, Virginia
• Engineered by Ed Thompson
• Total time: 61:17
• 28-page booklet
• Made in USA
Musicians:
Richmond Symphony
Steven Smith, conductor
Michelle Areyzaga, soprano
Kevin Deas, bass-baritone
Richmond Symphony Chorus
Erin R. Freeman, director
Selections:
Mason Bates (b. 1977)
Children Of Adam
1. I. "From Pent-Up Aching Rivers" From Children Of Adam, Walt Whitman
2. II. Psalms 144 & 128
3. III. "I Sing The Body Electric" From Children Of Adam, Walt Whitman
4. IV. Tolepe Menenak ("Turtle Island", From The Algonquian), Mataponi Indians Of Virginia, As Told By Sharon Sun Eagle, Dictated By Hope Armstrong Erb
5. V. "Prayers Of Steel" & "Smoke And Steel", Carl Sandburg
6. VI. From The Book Of Genesis
7. VII. From "To The Garden, The World" From Children Of Adam, Walt Whitman
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Dona Nobis Pacem
8. I. Agnus Dei
9. II. Beat! Beat! Drums! Walt Whitman
10. III. Reconciliation, Walt Whitman
11. IV. Dirge For Two Veterans, Walt Whitman
12. V. The Angel Of Death, John Bright
13. VI. 'O Man Greatly Beloved
