Perspectives - Perspectives: Piano Works of Donald Betts - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Donald Betts - Soundings Piano Works [COMPACT DISCS] date 08/12/2000

Elles Bailey's forthcoming album 'Beneath The Neon Glow', released under Cooking Vinyl, is an exploration of love's myriad forms. Through lyrically vulnerable and brutally honest songwriting, she delves into the depths of heartbreak, the resilience of friendship, and the enduring power of love that spans a lifetime. With beautifully uplifting melodies and instrumentation, this record captures the essence of all the shades of love that have shaped Bailey's life. From the fleeting moments to the love that withstands the test of time, she fearlessly navigates through the spectrum of human emotion, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into her journey.

The contributions of female composers have long been neglected. Violinist Dawn Wohn and pianist Esther Park have begun to change that with Perspectives, a beautiful album featuring works from a vast variety of female composers including Nocturne by Lili Boulanger and Legenda by Vitezslava Kapralova- both composers died tragically while in their 20s. Commissioned especially for this album, Star-Crossed by Jung Sun Kang tells the story of two unlucky lovers. Deserted Garden and Elfentanz by Florence Price highlights the talents of this African American composer whose works are just beginning to receive the attention they deserve. This diverse also includes works by Amy Beach, perhaps America's best-known female composer, a two-movement piece by Pulitzer-prize winning composer Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, and works by Chihchun Chi-sun Lee, Reena Esmail, and Vivian Fine. Wohn and Park have been making music together since their days as students in Juilliard's Pre-College program. This exceptional album will almost certainly introduce listeners to some pieces they have never heard and expand the horizons for the great diversity in works by female composers.