Juniper Fuse - Matt Choboter: Nagual - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Karel Ancerl was one of the most tragic Conductors of the Twentieth century he survived the Extermination Camps, in which he lost his wife and children. After the war, with Vaclav Talich, he was certainly the greatest Bohemian Conductor. Known above all for his recordings of Smetana and Dvorak, he stood out for his interpretations (early 1960s) of the great European repertoire of the 19th century. This double CD testifies to his approach to three very different, and significant, composers such as Mahler, Sibelius and Janacek. High quality Studio recordings.

The brilliant saxophone quartet Project Fusion make their debut recording featuring two major works- Glazunov's richly contrapuntal Quartet, op. 109, with it's tips of the hat to Chopin and Schumann, and the late David Maslanka's Recitation Book (2006), a work based on music by J.S. Bach. Extraordinary chamber playing! Formed in 2010 by graduates of the Eastman School of Music, Project Fusion captured the Gold Medal at the 40th Fischoff Chamber Music Competition and First Prize at the Music Teachers Nation-al Association Chamber Music Competition, and was the first saxophone quartet to win the Grand Prize, as well as the Audience Choice Award, at the 6th Plowman International Chamber Music Competition. Comprised of passionate teachers, Project Fusion is dedicated to public arts outreach, and has presented convocations, clinics, and workshops in numerous schools, as well as recitals, residencies, and masterclasses at colleges and universities throughout the United States. The ensemble has recently appeared at the Kingston Chamber Music Festival, Chamber Music Yellow Springs, and the Bridge-hampton Chamber Music Festival.

... like a skilled boxer, he stays within himself, confidently bobbing and weaving melody through the steady rhythm, jabbing and dancing, soloing in flurries of notes. JAZZ REVIEW. From New York to Los Angeles and Kansas City, saxophonist Matt Otto always cultivated an inspired musical community with which to surround himself. Now having 14 years of performances with the energized and spontaneous KC duo of bassist Jeff Harshbarger and drummer John Kizilarmut, the vibrancy of their interactions is a given, and apparent, as the trio provides the momentum for this set of nine Otto originals. On several tracks, Matt Villinger's Fender Rhodes provides astute chordal realizations of Otto's harmonies, while guitarist Alex Frank adds an edge of free, '70s-era fusion energy. Also featured is the Paris-based trumpeter Hermon Mehari, who returns to his Kansas City roots occasionally and was in town to add his sparkling voice to three pieces.