Albany Records: New Music from Bowling Green, Vol. 8

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The Bowling Green Philharmonia continues its impressive series of recordings of new music by American composers.

The eighth volume of New Music from Bowling Green includes orchestral compositions by Aaron Jay Kernis, Marilyn Shrude, Richard Cornell, Dalit Warshaw, Martin Kennedy, and David Liptak. Conductor Emily Freeman Brown has been the driving force behind this series, which now has recorded more than 40 works by American composers. Brown has appeared as conductor with orchestras in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and South America. In addition to her work for Albany Records, she has recorded for Naxos, Linn, and Opus One Records. Soloists include violinist Ioana Galu, a native of Romania and now on the faculty at the University of South Dakota, and trombonist Brittany Lasch, who is on the faculty at Bowling Green State University.

Aaron Jay Kernis, composer
Aaron Jay Kernis comments
Aaron Jay Kernis

Aaron Jay Kernis, composer
On Wings of Light
Bowling Green Philharmonia; Emily Freeman Brown (conductor)

Marilyn Shrude, composer
Marilyn Shrude comments
Marilyn Shrude

Marilyn Shrude, composer
Libro d'Ore
Uiaba Galu (violin); Bowling Green Philharmonia; Emily Freeman Brown (conductor)

Dalit Warshaw, composer
Dalit Warshaw comments
Dalit Warshaw

Dalit Warshaw, composer
Responses
Bowling Green Philharmonia; Emily Freeman Brown (conductor)

Richard Cornell, composer
Richard Cornell comments
Richard Cornell

Richard Cornell, composer
Sinfonia
Bowling Green Philharmonia; Emily Freeman Brown (conductor)

Martin Kennedy, composer
Martin Kennedy comments
Martin Kennedy

Martin Kennedy, composer
Theme and Variations for Trombone and Orchestra
Brittany Lasch (trombone); Bowling Green Philharmonia; Emily Freeman Brown (conductor)

David Liptak, composer
David Liptak comments
David Liptak

David Liptak, composer
Northern Light
Bowling Green Philharmonia; Emily Freeman Brown (conductor)

Review:

The 8th installment of this New Music from American Composers series brings Aaron Jay Kernis, Marilyn Shrude, Richard Cornell, Dalit Warshaw, Martin Kennedy, and David Liptak to a handful of very diverse compositions. The bright brass and booming percussion of “On Wings Of Light” opens the listen with its warm, triumphant spirit, and it isn’t long until Ioana Galu’s violin prowess is spotlighted on the very well thought out “Libro d’Ore”. In the middle, “Responses” unfolds in 3 movements that bring mystery and awe into the cinematic demeanor, while “Sinfonia” offers a tense and rumbling display of dynamic and exciting musicianship. Moving towards the end, “Theme And Variations For Trombone And Orchestra” showcases Brittany Lasch’s trombone amid the precise strings, and “Northern Light” exits the listen under David Liptak’s guidance in the chilling and impactful delivery of timeless orchestral ideas. Each artist turns in a very well executed contribution here, where the meticulous solos and strong attention to detail make for a splendid listen for the orchestral inclined. (takeeffectreviews.com) Freeman Brown to conduct their music…The performances on this disc and the recorded sound are all any composer could hope for. There is a sense of joy in the playing throughout. Accompanying the spoken introductions, the booklet includes helpful notes by the composers, along with brief informative bios…I do not claim that each of these pieces is a contemporary masterwork, however you wish to define the term, but all six are compositions of substance. For any listener who is interested in hearing new music, this release is warmly recommended. (Fanfare)

The Bowling Green Philharmonia continues its impressive series of recordings of new music by American composers.

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