With many diverse new music releases, the year 2020 is off to a wonderful start! From Vivaldi to Schumann to electronic jazz, read below to find out more about some of the fantastic new music put out by our Schulich alumni, faculty, and students.
Vivaldi: Manchester Sonatas 鈥� Mark Fewer, Hank Knox (Leaf Music)听
Released January 17, 2020
Current professor Hank Knox collaborates with former Schulich faculty Mark Fewer on the first Canadian recording of Vivaldi鈥檚 Manchester Sonatas. Featuring intricate melodies, forms, and harmonic complexities, the recently discovered Manchester sonatas represent the true artistry of Vivaldi鈥檚 chamber music.听Named after the place in which they were discovered only fifty years ago, these sonatas allow the performers with ample opportunity for creativity. The melodies are imaginatively ornamented by Fewer, with Knox expertly improvising the harmony of the bass in the most supportive way. Listen to these sonatas, as they are brought to life by these elegant performers.听听听
and take a listen here:
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 8 鈥� Yannick Nezet-Seguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra听(Deutsche Grammophon)听
Released January 17, 2020
Honorary doctorate Yannick听N茅zet-S茅guin听leads the Philadelphia Orchestra in Mahler鈥檚 epic Symphony No. 8, recorded in 2016, on the 100th听anniversary of the symphony鈥檚 United States premiere. Frequently known as the 鈥淪ymphony for a Thousand鈥�, featuring the orchestra, chorus, and soloists, bring the ensemble numbers to 420. This epic, redemptive symphony is truly a work to behold, and听N茅zet-S茅guin听powerfully leads the orchestra in this sublime, moving performance.听听听
Experience the听multitudes听of sound here:
Max Bruch: 8 Pieces, Op. 83 - Philon Trio (Analekta)听
Released January 24, 2020
These beautiful, rich pieces for clarinet, viola, and piano, are a true expression of Romantic innovation. Recorded by the prize-winning Philon Trio, consisting of Schulich alumni clarinetist David Dias da Silva (ArtDip听鈥�16), violist Adam Newman, and pianist Camilla听Kohnken, Bruch鈥檚听endearing听 features eighth character pieces, all but one in minor keys, that highlight the mellow, rich sounds of the instruments featured. The undulating piano accompaniment lends itself to the engaging conversation between the clarinet and viola throughout each of the movements. This luscious, contemplative work is beautifully explored by the Philon Trio is truly a treat for the ears.听In addition,听Schulich alumnus and former course lecturer听James听Clemens-Seely (BMus '08, MMus '10) was the senior recording engineer for this album, with current MMus student Alex Bohn providing some editing.听
Listen to the first of these eight pieces here:
Mozart: Piano Concertos No. 22, 24 鈥� Charles Richard-Hamelin, Les Violons du Roy (Analekta)听听
Released January 31, 2020
This new release marks pianist听Charles Richard-Hamelin (BMus 鈥�11)听sixth album with Analekta, and his first recording with Les Violons du Roy, as they take听on .听These concerti balance each other well with their relative keys and听under the direction of conductor Jonathan Cohen, Hamelin鈥檚 masterful, expressive playing is supported with the utmost grace from the ensemble.听听
Enjoy this wonderful collaboration and take a listen to the thrilling third movement of the Piano Concerto No. 22 in E flat major:
One 鈥撎齎anille听Paitier听Debray (BA 鈥�18, Qualifying Year 鈥�18)听
Released January 25, 2020
Vanille听Paitier Debray听(BA 鈥�18, Qualifying Year 鈥�18)听is a French singer-songwriter who moved to Montreal to pursue her music studies at 不良研究所. For her , Vanille has collaborated with several members of the Schulich community. Instrumentalists include Alex Dobson (MMus '19) on bass, Cole Barbour (BMus '17, MMus '19) and Nigel Ali-Digweed (current MMus)听on guitar, Clara Troje (BMus '19) on clarinet, Marika Fellegi (BMus '14), Audrey Palmer Steinhauser (current BA) on violin, Arie Kharasch听(current BA) on viola, and Titouan听Paitier听Debray (current BA) on drums. Additionally, this album was recorded and produced by Ben Creelman (Bmus '18, current MMus) and mastered by Jack Kelly (MMus '16, current PhD).听Vanille鈥檚听smooth voice, delicate instrumentals, all coupled with her thoughtful lyrics, renders 鈥淥ne鈥� an elegantly contemplative listen. Infused with hints of bluesy soul, 鈥業鈥檒l Follow You鈥� highlights the heartfelt and earnest expression of her songwriting prowess, while 鈥楤roken Dice鈥� illustrates an understated yet gracefully poignant artist at the piano.听听
You can listen to 'I'll Follow You' here:
Atmosphere 鈥� Cedric de Saint-Rome听听
Released January 10, 2020
Released on January 10, 2020, 鈥淎tmosphere鈥� by Cedric de Saint-Rome听is an upbeat听song that combines aspects of a variety of different genres. Inspired by the cool atmosphere of the summer sky, this song is infused with funky effects and jazzy overtones, giving it a fun, upbeat groove perfect for relaxing, partying, or anything in between.听
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That鈥檚 all for our January Release Radar! And don鈥檛 forget 鈥� if you鈥檙e part of the Schulich community and are looking forward to a February release, let us know to be featured in next month鈥檚 Release Radar! Email us at publicity.music [at] mcgill.ca.
