Lisa Bielawa - Bielawa: Vireo (Various Artists) - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

?The idea to record a CD of chamber music for clarinet and piano by composers from Germany, Denmark and Russia arose quite spontaneously. The starting point of our research was the InchFantasiestückeInch by Niels Wilhelm Gade Op. 43. After we had successfully performed this cycle in some concert programs, the desire came to look at the genre of European instrumental romantic miniatures of the 19th and the first half of the 20th century. So it was only logical that our choice fell on the InchFantasiestückeInch by Robert Schumann Op. 73. His work is a kind of starting point for the whole CD concept. The Second Sonata by Alexander Gretschaninow came into our repertoire not long ago, but took a permanent place thanks to it's luminosity, sublimity of figures and sincerity of romantic statement. The same is true of the unique InchSonata-VocaliseInch by Nikolai Medtner, which is an excellent example of an organic synthesis of German and Russian schools of composers and embodies the continuity of Schumann's artistic ideals. The multidimensional term InchfantasyInch (in the old variant InchphantasyInch) means Inchto imagine somethingInch, Inchto improviseInch. And it is precisely the rich, radiant, outstanding and - this is actually the most important thing - free imagination of the artists presented on the CD that has given us the happiness of encountering their art. This joy of fantasizing, full of inspiration, we would like to share with you.

Introspection can be born from any number of events. Losing a valued mentor is a moment that would give anyone pause. Esthesis Quartet members Dawn Clement and Elsa Nilsson searched deep inside to come to terms with the loss of their mentor, Ron Miles. Along with bandmates Emma Dayhuff and Tina Raymond, the quartet creates a program of music inspired by self-reflection, contemplation and self-discovery on their new album, Sound & Fury, that features the fantastic Bill Frisell on guitar. The four musicians of Esthesis Quartet met through happenstance. Clement was first introduced to Swedish flutist Elsa Nilsson when Nilsson came to study with Clement at Cornish College in Seattle. Later, Clement crossed paths with the Los Angeles based drummer Raymond at the Reno Jazz Festival and Raymond met the Chicago-based Dayhuff when the bassist visited Los Angeles as an accompanying musician for an improvising dance troupe and sat in at a local jam session. During the pandemic, Clement and Nilsson invited Raymond and Dayhuff to create a compositional support group, workshopping music together via Zoom. Once restrictions were loosened, the quartet become more than a workshop band, as they had become a cohesive and original ensemble. They called themselves Esthesis Quartet. Since then, the Quartet has released two albums.Clement moved to Denver to join the faculty at Metropolitan State University in 2018. She came excited with the prospect of working alongside trumpeter Ron Miles. Miles was the reason Clement decided to leave Seattle, as Miles had been instrumental in her performing career as a bandmate with Matt Wilson's Honey & Salt band and in building her self-esteem as an educator. Nilsson met Miles as an undergraduate at Cornish College. She was immediately struck by how he could slough off his modest nature when he played or spoke, filling the room with a joyful energy. It

Edo Righini writes of this new InchBeyond the Sum of All Parts isn't about Jazz or Rock, riff or runs, but an attempt to reflect the beauty humankind is most capable of when boldly advancing in pursuit of emotional expressiveness. This recording successfully embodies the here-and-now of our Jazz department at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, documenting the collaborative spirit and the multitude of music dialects that populate our classrooms, stages, and studios. More than ever, our educators and students continue to push the boundaries of music education, challenging themselves to explore the very edge of their comfort level and stretching their learning and teaching into new and different areas. I believe this recording taps the spirit of Jazz, an art form that is known for bringing people together from all backgrounds and walks of life. On this album, our students, alumni, and educators-representing different generations of players-have come from several parts of the world, and dive into Reinier and Johan's music with an evident sense of mutual trust, respect, and integrity. And although the focus here lies heavily on the music that is around us-and potentially ahead of us-an omnipresent sense of respect for the history of this unique art form can be sensed from each and every player. I am proud to present you the latest recording featuring the CvA Concert Big Band, a unique tapestry of talented players whose sum of personalities forges an endeavor that truly goes beyond the sum of all parts.Inch