Sigma Alpha Iota

22 Summer 2024 • sai-national.org RACHMANINOFF: RHAPSODY ON A THEME OF PAGANINI; RESPIGHI: TOCCATA FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA; CASELLA: PARTITA FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA Joshua Pierce; RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, Anton Nanüt MSR Classics MSR Classics presents a collection of neo-classical music performed by multiple GRAMMY®-nominated pianist Joshua Pierce, along with the Slovenia Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Anton Nanüt. Each piece brings something unique to the table, and is a reflection of Pierce's talent as an artist and musician. This album is quite special, not only in that it is a remaster by the renowned Candlewood Digital, but that it contains a world-premiere recording of Alfredo Casella's Partita for Piano and Orchestra and the only digital version of Ottorino Respighi's Toccata for Piano and Orchestra. All three works stem from the early twentieth century, and all three were designed for tours in the United States. Pierce, Nanüt, and the SSO work seamlessly as a team, breathing new life into works that some may know and others may be experiencing for the first time, in a musical conversation between and with pianist and orchestra. Pierce's striking and accentuating style in Respighi's Tocatta is a reflection of the word itself; according to the liner notes, "tocatta" comes from the Italian word "tocarre," which means "to touch or strike." The stern yet rich rhapsody from Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff is passionate, even nostalgic at times. And if you could ride sheet music like a carnival attraction, Burlesca — the third movement of Alfredo Casella's Partita for Piano and Orchestra–captures what that might feel like. The album is available for purchase on msrcd.com. For centuries, the sacred has played a major role in the spread and influence of music, and is one of the many timeless themes in the art itself. MSR Classics presents for listeners a collection of works by National Arts Associate Barbara Harbach. The album contains primarily sacred music, including pieces for Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter. However, there are a few pieces near the end which are secular in nature. Harbach's modern composition style still leans into classic compositional tropes, creating a refreshing yet nostalgic sound, perfect for fans of contemporary composers like Eric Whitacre. For those who were raised in the church–especially the Catholic tradition–these will definitely conjure those old memories. This is especially the case for "Sing, Alleluia;" despite only having two words for the text, the way the harmonies dance with each other, combined with gorgeous flute and a heartfelt piano performance, can take one back to simpler days. The singing credits for the Apollo Voices of London are wide and diverse, ranging from a live performance of the music from Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, to appearing in the film score for Shrek: Forever After. Their versatility and talent clearly shows in this album, including a stand-out performance by Louise Clare Marshall on "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child." You can definitely hear the way African-American Spirituals influenced quintessential modern genres such as blues in this solemn, melancholic tune. Truly, it sounds like a piece that would play during a montage at the end of a drama like one on Netflix. The album is available for purchase on msrcd.com. Reviews UNSTOPPABLE The Piano Guys Released November 10th, 2023 What originally began as a marketing plan for a piano store in Utah, The Piano Guys have since toured around the world, releasing several albums and viral music videos of piano and cello covers of songs throughout the ages. Their latest release, Unstoppable, is a collection of covers and mashups from the past two years. Each selection is diverse in its genre, time period, and arrangement. You'll find recent Billboard hits such as a charming rendition of Harry Styles' As It Was and an enchanting lullaby version of Taylor Swift's Enchanted. Classic disco and pop tunes find their home here too, with a light- hearted, fun interpretation of September by Earth, Wind & Fire that plays with slight improvisation and key changes, and a heartfelt twist on the Rick- Roll meme itself, Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up. However, it is through their mashups that their creativity as musicians shines the most. Carmen's Libertango is by far the most interesting track on the album, as it is a mashup of Carmen Fantasy by Pablo de Sarasate and Astor Piazzolla's Libertango. It is actually a mashup of a mashup; de Sarasate's piece is a combination of themes from Bizet's classic opera Carmen! This spicy tango breathes new life into these pieces, introducing modern audiences to two centuries-old composers. The album is available on CD and is coming soon on vinyl. It is also available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music. Sheet music for select tracks is also available for purchase. — Reviews by Rebekah Strain, see bio on page 13. MUSIC OF BARBARA HARBACH, VOLUME 17 - CHORAL MUSIC I Apollo Voices of London; Genevieve Ellis, Conductor; Timothy End, Piano; Louise Clare Marshall, Alto; Sarah-Jane Lewis, Mezzo-Soprano MSR Classics

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