The album features three world-premiere recordings: Vijay Iyer’s Bruits; Reena Esmail’s The Light is the Same; and Frederic Rzewski’s Sometimes—all of which speak directly to current social and political issues, and tell stories about people whose lives have made a difference in our world.
Read More“The members' sterling command of their respective instruments impresses, but it's the connectedness exemplified by their ensemble playing that makes Imani Winds the special outfit it is.”
Read More“The sadness of the lyrics really comes to fore in this stripped down arrangement”
Read More“These stories are told with impeccable artistry and versatility from Imani Winds and their featured guests, and the result is an album that will challenge, educate, and empower all who listen.”
Read More“Bruits is powerful. It is provocative. It is timely. It is heart-wrenching,” writes Monica Ellis. “It makes both the listener and the performer—especially me, as a performer and the mother of a Black boy—feel a way that few pieces of music allow.”
Read More"It’s a disc to die for, in which Tinnemans’ universe – and ours – is described with ethereal beauty from end to end."
-Raul da Gama
“This collection of five recent pieces by Jobina Tinnemans - born in Holland, resident in the UK since 2007 - is perched omewhere between seriously entertaining and entertainingly serious.”
-Philip Clark
“Gordon's adaptable melodies allied with a sensitive artistic soul prove perfect for exploring situation and emotion, while illuminating the story's unanswered questions.” -Clive Paget, Musical America (September 2020)
Read More“Gordon’s personal journey through dark times infused ‘Ellen West’ with honest emotion that flowed from his heart.” -David Salazar, OperaWire (September 2020)
Read More“The performances clearly reflect Gookin's virtuosic command… but the playing is always used in the service of bringing the composer's material to its optimal realization.” -textura (September 2020)
Read More“I was woefully ignorant of Amanda Gookin before this inspired listen, but I have surely become among her greatest fans. A significant and most welcome collaboration for the times.”
Read More“To mark the centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, a salute to American women composers, from Mary Howe and Undine Smith Moore to Laurie Anderson and Gabriela Lena Frank.”
Read More“The journey that resulted for Mike, is both personal and social, internal and external, psychological and geographic.”
Read MoreBlock is expanding the out-reach and acceptance of the cello with his tone, musicality, and collaborations that make Guzo a must-have.
Read More“Now, the idea of a cellist making music that draws connections between many parts of the world is not new: Yo Yo Ma and his Silk Road Ensemble have been doing just that for over twenty years. In fact, Block has been a member of that group since 2005, and Ma has called him “the ideal musician of the 21st century.””
Read More“The track, part of Block’s upcoming world music album, Guzo, set for an Aug. 21 release, features Omani musician Amal Waqar on oud and vocals.”
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