Recording of the Year: Terry Riley, Sun Rings, Kronos Quartet, Volti (Nonesuch) Terry Riley’s 2002 work Sun Rings simultaneously celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Voyager exploration and soberly reflects on September 11, 2001. Kronos Quartet, longtime collaborators with Riley, the ethereal voices of Volti, and a collection of space sounds are combined toContinue reading “Recordings of the Year”
Monthly Archives: December 2019
Stile Antico’s Spanish Nativity (CD Review)
A Spanish Nativity Stile Antico Harmonia Mundi 902312 The “Golden Age” of Spanish polyphony (during the sixteenth century) yielded a number of pieces suitable for Christmastime by some of the finest composers of the Renaissance: Tomás Luis de Victoria, Franciso Guerrero, and Cristóbal de Morales. On the a cappella vocal group Stile Antico’s latest disc,Continue reading “Stile Antico’s Spanish Nativity (CD Review)”
Vienna Boys Choir at Carnegie Hall
Vienna Boys Choir Carnegie Hall December 8, 2019 By Christian Carey NEW YORK – On Sunday, the Vienna Boys Choir performed a Christmas program at Carnegie Hall. It included much standard Christmas fare, both carols and pops selections. However, there were also a number of more substantial pieces, both Renaissance polyphony and 20/21st century music.Continue reading “Vienna Boys Choir at Carnegie Hall”
Tallis Scholars: new CD, Concerts in Princeton and New York
Now in their forty-sixth year of singing, the Tallis Scholars, directed by Peter Phillips, have long made an annual December concert at Church of St. Mary the Virgin in midtown Manhattan a stop on their winter tour. Part of Miller Theatre’s Early Music Series, these concerts have focused on Renaissance polyphony, but there have alsoContinue reading “Tallis Scholars: new CD, Concerts in Princeton and New York”
BMOP Plays George Perle (CD Review)
George Perle Serenades Boston Modern Orchestra Project Gil Rose, conductor BMOP Sound Composer George Perle passed away a decade ago, but his music has remained part of the repertory. This is noteworthy in that, upon their deaths, many composers are eclipsed for a time. An excellent example of the resilience of Perle’s work is aContinue reading “BMOP Plays George Perle (CD Review)”
Two new recordings feature Carey compositions; new choral pieces
Out on Friday, December 6th, via New Focus Recordings, Wendy Richman’s Vox/Viola recording includes a piece I wrote for her in 2010, “He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven.” The CD significantly enlarges the repertoire for singing violists, with pieces by Ken Ueno, Everette Minchew, Arlene Sierra, Jason Eckardt, and others. Recently released on WestminsterContinue reading “Two new recordings feature Carey compositions; new choral pieces”
John Luther Adams – Become Desert (CD Review)
Become Desert John Luther Adams Seattle Symphony, Seattle Symphony Chorale, Ludovic Morlot, conductor Cantaloupe Music “Become Desert is both a celebration of the deserts we are given, and a lamentation of the deserts we create.” – John Luther Adams Born in Mississippi, John Luther Adams first came to the attention of listeners as a composerContinue reading “John Luther Adams – Become Desert (CD Review)”
Jan Garbarek and Hilliard Ensemble (CD Review)
Remember Me, My Dear Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensemble ECM New Series 2625 The Hilliard Ensemble disbanded five years ago. Happily, they made a few recordings for ECM that have allowed listeners to continue to enjoy new music from them. Remember Me, My Dear was recorded on their last tour in 2014 at theContinue reading “Jan Garbarek and Hilliard Ensemble (CD Review)”
Christian B. Carey 