The first new album by a member of the Oregon Symphony is the long-awaited debut CD of OS Principal violist Joël Belgique (the project spanned seven years from inception to delivery of the CD’s). It comprises perhaps the most recorded work (other than the two Brahms sonatas and the seven Hindemith sonatas) in Rebecca Clarke’s beautifully evocative work for viola and piano (which famously tied with Bloch’s Suite 1919 in a competition sponsored by Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge), and continues with three other works that are much less known to the general public and even to violists. The sonatas by Marion Bauer (a contemporary of Aaron Copland), Jacob Avshalomov, and Tomas Svoboda all have connections to Portland. Marion Bauer was born in Walla Walla, Washington, but moved to Portland with her mother after the death of her father in 1890. Jacob Avshalomov was the Portland Youth Philharmonic’s music director from 1954 to 1995. Tomas Svoboda is Professor Emeritus from Portland State University (where he taught composition for 27 years), and lives in Portland to this day.
The album is beautifully played, with sensitive work from all three collaborators. Local go-to pianist Cary Lewis accompanies Belgique on the first three sonatas, while composer Tomas Svoboda himself plays the piano for his own composition. The Clarke stands up well to all of the available recordings, but this CD is most worthwhile for the three remaining sonatas, which have seen little recording activity, with the Svoboda making its recorded debut with this release. Well worth purchasing for any viola aficionado.
midcentury modern: four sonatas for viola and piano
joël belgique, viola; cary lewis and tomas svoboda, piano
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Coming soon to iTunes Store.
The 14 swinging holiday tracks on this debut CD of this combination of members of the Oregon Symphony Brass are sure to get your foot tapping in a festive rhythm in short order. The sparkling arrangements of veteran arranger Sean O’Laughlin and virtuosic playing of members of the OS’s stellar brass section (Jeffrey Work and David Bamonte, trumpets; Joseph Berger, horn; Aaron LaVere, trombone; JáTtik Clark, tuba; along with drummer Timothy Rap) were all recorded in the chapel at Reed College this past October. It’s a sure buy for any brass fan in your life, and for anyone who loves sly, cheeky, swing- and jazz-influenced holiday fare. Great fun!
cool yule
members of the oregon symphony brass
arrangements by sean o’laughlin
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