Rzewski - People United Will Never Be Defeated - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Spain, as so often, went it's own way the 19th century was characterized by a music oriented towards national traditions; in contrast to Central Europe, there were less great symphonies and operas but rather numerous songs with the classical accompanying instrument of the guitar. This, of course, says nothing about the compositional quality - two of the great exponents of Spanish music of that time, Enrique Granados and Manuel de Falla - who of course also composed symphonic music - served this genre with numerous treasures that excellently combine folkloristic melodies and compositional sophistication. Their two cycles Doce tonadillas en estilo antiguo and Siete canciones populares españolas both show a very individual personal style, which inspired the world-famous and multiple award-winning soprano Nuria Rial to a fascinating vocal cosmos off the usual paths.

Clarissa Bevilacqua writes InchDear Listener, Welcome to Dream Catcher, an album that journeys through ten unique compositions, ten bewitching stories that lead us away from the constant Rush of everyday lives... As a new artist in the industry myself, I feel a certain calling to break this pattern by championing and performing works that reflect our present instead of our past, and by striving to surprise my audiences with music that they can discover and even relate to. This debut album is my first of hopefully many projects that strive to achieve this, and it is also my reply to all those people who believe classical music is a thing of the past. I met Augusta Reed Thomas by total surprise about five years ago in Chicago, where I was performing a recital that included her InchCapricious Toccata Dandelion SkyInch. It was the first time that I had had the opportunity to discuss a piece of music with the actual composer, and I became absolutely fascinated with the world of possibilities that such a dialogue can lead to. I instantly started to study other works of hers, and began programming them in several of my recitals throughout the years. The more I performed these pieces and became familiar with Augusta's compositional style, the more I felt myself wanting to create something tangible and long-lasting with these works. And thus, at the beginning of the global pandemic a few years ago, the idea for this album was born. This album features Augusta's complete works for solo violin, as well as the world premier recording of her Violin Concerto No. 3 InchJuggler in ParadiseInch...Inch

New-music icon Ursula Oppens, who commissioned, premiered, and made the first recording of maverick American composer Frederic Rzewski's The People United Will Never Be Defeated!, a remarkable, monumental set of solo piano variations, has rerecorded that landmark 1975 work to mark it's 40th anniversary.