Sigma Alpha Iota

PAN PIPES Spring 2020 15 REVIEWS A BLACK BIRCH IN WINTER American and Estonian Choral Music Works by Brown, Kõrvits, Seppar, Smith, & Uusberg. VOCES MUSICALES Chamber Choir; David Puderbaugh, conductor. MSR Classics, MS 1675 An album of contemporary American and Estonian choral music, which resulted from the conductor's travels and study of Estonia's national song festivals, the "laulupidu." The songs are accessible, and the performances highly enjoyable. NIGHT BRIGHT DAYS Works by Britten, Holst, Meechan, & Purcell. Chicago Gargoyle Brass and Organ Ensemble MSR Classics, MS 1704 This collection of music for brass ad organ showcases the talents of many Chicago area musicians. Two pieces — Purcell's Come Ye Sons of Arts and Britten's Four Seas Interludes from Peter Grimes — are artfully arranged by Craig Grimes to fully showcase the players' abilities. POCKET GROOVES Music for Bassoon, Piano, Percussion, and Electronics Works by Bombardier, Grainger, Hendricks, Koshinski, Moellering, Shields, & Sondheim. Jefferson Campbell, bassoon, with Alexander Sandor, piano, & Gene Koshinski, percussion. MSR Classics, MS 1707 A collection of contemporary and engaging music for bassoon commissioned by Jefferson Campbell to enlarge the instrument's repertoire. An active performer and presenter, Campbell displays mastery of these fun but challenging works. ALYSSA MORRIS - A HIGHER PLACE Chamber Music for Oboe Alyssa Morris, oboe, Christina Haan, piano with Elizabeth Darling, flute; Andrea Vos-Rochefort, clarinet; & Jessica Findley Yang, bassoon. MSR Classics, MS 1668 Composer-oboist Alyssa Morris delights with this world premiere recording of her spirited music. Currently the principal oboist of the Topeka Symphony Orchestra, Morris has performed as a soloist around the globe and had works commissioned by numerous ensembles, conventions, and artists. PAUL REALE: CHILDREN'S PALACE Chamber Music for Winds and Piano The Borealis Wind Quintet and Christopher Guzman, piano. MSR Classics, MS 1715 In a nod to Ravel's L'enfant et les sortileges, an opera where everyday objects come to life, composer Paul Reale's Children's Palace features each member of the winds in their own work and then ties them together with his humorous Eleven Miniatures for Wind Quintet. DAN LOCKLAIR: SYMPHONY NO. 2 "AMERICA" Slovak National Symphony Orchestra, Kirk Trevor and Michael Rohac, conductors; Peter Mikula, organ. Naxos American Classics, 8.559860 A world premier recording of four recent orchestra works by composer Don Locklair, who said it "unabashedly celebrates America." The title work consists of three movements: 1. Independence Day, 2. Memorial Day, and 3. Thanksgiving Day. The works are powerful and rhythmic.

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