New Dynamic Records Presents...
Influence presents the listener with the paradox of music composition. At the heart of every composer there is a desire to break free from the musical ideas of the past in an effort to put one's unique stamp on our current musical landscape. At the same time, music has the power to bind our culture together, giving rise to an equally strong desire of the composer to be a part of something larger than him/herself. Some of the greatest works of our time have been written as a result of this reality, combining the expression of the individual with that of a shared cultural tradition.
The music from this CD invites you to experience five works by composers who incorporate "influence" from an outside source. Each composition creates a unique voice by weaving together the composers' musical language with music from other sources such as spirituals, Chinese folk music, the music of Stravinsky, pop music, and in one case, the sound exploration of various instruments. Influence features two premiere releases, Goldstein's Motherless Child Variations and Gibson's Three Etudes, in addition to other works recorded by critically acclaimed ensembles and soloists.
"The recording is a splendid introduction to the work of five contemporary composers... The performances--by the Aurelia Saxophone Quartet, eighth blackbird and the Amelia Piano Trio--are all first-rate and the sound quality is exceptional."
- Jerry Bowles, Sequenza 21 March 14, 2006
Available now at CDBaby.com!