New American Masters Volume 6

WWW.ALBANYRECORDS.COM TROY1669 ALBANY RECORDS U.S. Newly Commissioned works for Flute, Clarinet & Piano 915 BROADWAY, ALBANY, NY 12207 TEL: 518.436.8814 FAX: 518.436.0643 ALBANY RECORDS U.K. - Dog Tales, Matthew Baier - Syzygy BOX 137, KENDAL, CUMBRIA LA8 0XD TEL: 01539 824008 - Reflections, Linda Marcel - Evocare II © 2017 ALBANY RECORDS MADE IN THE USA DDD Ting Ho - I’m Away From My Desk… WARNING: COPYRIGHT SUBSISTS IN ALL RECORDINGS ISSUED UNDER THIS LABEL. Jeff Scott - Poem For A Lost King, Gary Schocker - Trio No. 2

Palisades_1669_book.indd 1-2 3/15/17 12:07 PM dogsitting for neighbors who have two dogs and go away frequently on long trips. One can only The imagine what ensues during those long nights at my house trying to take care of three dogs. Hence, Adrienne Albert: DOG TALES the irregular time signatures and the overlapping motifs. The second movement, The Artful Dodger is Award-winning composer Adrienne Albert (ASCAP) has had her chamber, choral, vocal, orchestral a tone poem to my dear dog who “artfully” managed to “dodge” the traffic and possible horrible and wind band works performed throughout the U.S. and around the world. Having previously worked outcomes on his journey. The last movement, Mutt & Steff, is a short and, I think, humorous homage as a singer with many composers, including , , , and Gunther to a chihuahua (think small dog=piccolo) and a great dane (bass clarinet) who try to figure out how Schuller, Albert began composing her own music in the 1990s. Her music has been supported by to get along and live together. It is with pleasure that I composed this work for Palisades Virtuosi. noteworthy arts organizations including the National Endowment for the Arts, American Composers —Adrienne Albert Forum, MTC/Rockefeller Foundation, Subito Awards, Mu Phi Epsilon Fraternity, ACME, and ASCAP. Recent commissions include works for The Cornell University Chorus, Peter Sheridan, Holyoke Civic Matthew Baier: SYZYGY Symphony, Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation, Palisades Virtuosi, Zinkali Trio, Pennsylvania Academy of Composer and guitarist Matthew Baier received his Bachelor Degree in music from Nyack College, in Music, Palisades, Pacific Serenades as well as private individuals. A graduate of Nyack, New York where he studied composition with Paul Lilijestrand and classical guitar with Stanley UCLA, Albert studied composition with , Stephen “Lucky” Mosko, and orchestration Solow of Nassau Community College on Long Island. He received his MFA degree in Studio Composition with Albert Harris. Her music is recorded on MSR, Naxos, Navona, Centaur, Little Piper, Albany, and from the S.U.N.Y. at Purchase where he studied composition with Dary John Mizelle. From 1999 to ABC Records and is published by Kenter Canyon Music (ASCAP). Adrienne’s music can also be found present he has hosted his annual fall program “A Recital of Original Compositions” in Nyack, New York through FluteWorld, Theodore Front Musical Literature, and Trevco-Varner Music. For more information, at venues including Grace Episcopal Church, The First Reformed Church of Nyack and Saint Paul’s Festival please visit: www.adriennealbert.com. of the Arts. Featuring many of the area’s finest musicians who are dedicated to the performance of contemporary chamber music, this event enjoys a growing audience each year. Each program includes Dog Tales for flute/piccolo, clarinet/bass clarinet) & piano a number of new works in addition to selections from the composer’s growing repertoire of audience When I was commissioned to compose a new work for the November, 2014 concert of Palisades Virtuosi, and performer favorites. Matthew has been a recipient of the Individual Artist Grant from the Arts Council I was told that the theme of the concert was “Music Born of Adversity.” Another holocaust piece, I of Rockland and the New York State Council for the Arts and also the Meet the Composer Fund. Affiliations thought? Or maybe something to do with Ebola? Oh no. Too depressing. How was I to know that, at include the Rockland Conservatory of Music, Long Island Composers Alliance (L.I.C.A.) and New that exact time, my rescue dog, Dodger, would run away from a friend’s home miles from where we Music USA. In addition to composing Mr. Baier has performed classical guitar recitals at the Queens live. Frightened and trying to find his way back home, he ended up even further away. Good fortune Public Library, Suffern Free Library, Nyack Library and The N.Y.U. School of Continuing Education. smiled down upon us! A kind and generous dog lover found him and held him in his car until we made our way to pick up this tired animal who was totally dehydrated and exhausted from running miles to Syzygy for flute, clarinet and piano who-knows-where. Those who know , the enormous distances between places and the The term syzygy is used in relation to the alignment of celestial bodies, specifically the configuration number of cars in the city know that this little creature had to cross many four-to-six lane boulevards of the sun, moon and earth lying in a straight line. While this work contains no factual scientific or and streets before his little legs could carry him no further. As Tennessee Williams said “the kindness mathematic number sequences in relation to the phenomenon, it does contain simple references: a of strangers” was, in this case, what saved my precious dog. To the homeless lady who held him, to my trio ensemble, three main sections to its form and the exchange of musical phrases in threes. friend who drove me to him, and to the man who kept him safe in his car, I forever thank them, wherever Syzygy makes use of the 12-tone method of composition as developed by they are. Each movement of Dog Tale has a story. The first movement,Three Dog Night refers to my (1874 – 1951) however it is framed in the standard Classical era sonata-allegro form. A brief introduction

Palisades_1669_book.indd 3-4 3/15/17 12:07 PM precedes the piece where the original tone row is displayed between the piano and clarinet with the Reflections flute playing it in its retrograde form. The multi-sectional sonata-allegro form [exposition, development Reflections was commissioned and premiered in 2015. The piece is at its heart, a melodic and deeply and recapitulation] is reflected in the work’s main sections marked Allegro non troppo, Intermezzo emotional work. Its expressive lyricism shines through in spite of its highly chromatic harmonic struc- misterioso & cantabile and Fuga 1 & 2 - giocoso. As the work undergoes its periodic variations and ture. This rhythmic and harmonic lineage can be traced back to the free form Jazz experiments of the corresponding transitions it maintains a dance-like feel with Baroque performance sensibilities that 1960’s in which I participated, as a Jazz saxophonist. create buoyant and recognizable phrases. Syzygy’s last section contains two fugues with the last —Gary William Friedman being a double fugue that gives homage to Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750). —Matthew Baier Ting Ho: I’M AWAY FROM MY DESK… Ting Ho has received awards and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Gary William Friedman: REFLECTIONS Endowment for the Humanities, the American Music Center and the New Jersey State Council on Gary William Friedman is a versatile composer best known for his groundbreaking score for the the Arts, and is the recipient of the Louis Lane Prize. His original compositions have received perfor- Tony-nominated, winning musical “.” Born in , New York, mances at Alice Tully Hall and Weill Recital Hall in , the Kennedy Center in Washington, he graduated from where he completed his post-graduate studies in education. He DC, and elsewhere in the United States and abroad. One of his works was featured in a Voice of studied electronic music composition at Columbia University with , and advanced America broadcast to the Orient. Dr. Ho received his MA at Kent State University and his PhD at classical composition privately with Hall Overton and Jan Meyerowitz. His Outer Circle Critic’s Award the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester. He is currently on the music faculty of winning off-Broadway musical “Taking My Turn” was chosen for presentation on PBS Television’s Montclair State University. Great Performance Series. His orchestral, operatic and dance works have been commissioned and performed at venues including the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Lancaster Music I’m Away From My Desk… Festival and the Columbus Symphony. He has co-produced, and composed original material for several It’s summer, when we’re often thinking about adding the message “I’m away from my desk...” as our internationally acclaimed jazz recordings by his wife, Stevie Holland. Gary served as Music Director voice or e-mail response. Although we can only dream of the getaways we’d like to take, music of for TV’s “,” for which he wrote many songs including the popular “Spider Man our thoughts will often reflect foreign locales. I’m Away From My Desk... is a three-movement excur- Theme Song.” Recent premieres include “Butterfly: A Musical Journey of Hope,” Friedman’s orchestral sion, beginning with the anticipation—by boat, plane or something more exotic? Then a quiet respite, settings of poems written by children incarcerated in Theresienstadt, which was performed at Trinity perhaps in a tropical locale. Finally, an evening in dance mode, samba perhaps... Lutheran Seminary, in Bexley, Ohio. His chamber orchestral work, “A Poe Triptych,” inspired by works —Ting Ho of Edgar Allan Poe, was commissioned and recently premiered by the acclaimed Pit Stop Players, in New York City. A selection of his symphonic works is available on the CD “Colloquy.” Fanfare Magazine’s Linda Marcel: EVOCARE II review of “Colloquy,” described Friedman as “a composer who has mastered his craft,” and whose Linda Marcel’s compositions have been performed internationally; New York City, Rome, Adria and “music successfully combines accessibility with artistic integrity, lyricism with abstraction, and abundant Bevagna, Italy, Potsdam, Germany, Oxford England, Malaga and Sevilla, Spain, and also in Paris, France. heart with refined design.” She is a board member of the International Composers and Interactive Artists (iCIA) Inc. and CEO of International Arts Educators Forum, (IAEF) Inc. Linda has presented at numerous conferences in North America and Europe. She was awarded the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development – Excellence in Teaching Award, and was chosen for the 2006 MCFP Princeton University Fellowship

Palisades_1669_book.indd 5-6 3/15/17 12:07 PM Program. While a Professor of music at Bergen Community College (1982-2016), Linda founded the Trio No. 2 Paul Marshall Memorial Scholarship, a foundation scholarship that sponsors students majoring in The Trio No. 2 consists of three movements. I. Flip — As in flippant, this movement opens with a music at Bergen Community College. She was a leader and contributor to the Ron Mazurek Memorial frisky upbeat quality giving way to some dissonance, nothing too disturbing however. Things work Scholarship, a foundation scholarship that sponsors students majoring in Electronic Music at Bergen out pretty much ok after an unexpected waltz interlude where the players do a leap into thin air, a kind Community College. For more than two decades Linda directed the Ars Nova and Ars Electronica of question mark ending. II. Old Flame — As in torch song. The clarinet begins the melancholy and Concert Series at Bergen Community College. She now produces concerts under iCIA and IAEF. Her work the flute carries the torch higher. Eventually the piano also is the featured melodist before returning supports digital media, dance, drama and music performance while exploring techniques of interactive to its sad chordal accompaniment. Things are again left on a question mark, with the wind players performance systems. She is dedicated to educational collaborations with institutions worldwide. left alone and in unison. III. Fancypants — A fast minuet, in 6/8 not 3/4, this is Haydn-inspired, although, sudden bursts of 32nd notes require a kind of uphill pedaling you would not find in Haydn. Evocare II The melodies gives way to an Italianate theme and eventually all becomes little points of sound as Evocare II was commissioned and premiered by Palisades Virtuosi in 2013. It is an evocative exploration we disappear again. of sound that blossoms into an intense lyricism and finishes in a meditative state. It requires the use —Gary Schocker of Tibetan prayer bowls played by the musicians in several different ways both inside and outside of the piano. Jeff Scott: POEM FOR A LOST KING —Linda Marcel Jeff Scott has composed many solo and chamber works for winds, brass, strings and voice as well as for jazz ensembles. Some of these works were featured on his recently released cd entitled the Gary Schocker: TRIO NO. 2 “Urban Project.” His works are published by International Opus, Trevco Music, To The Flutist-composer-pianist Gary Schocker is an accomplished musician of outstanding versatility. At age Fore Music and self-published at www.MusicbyJeffScott.com. Jeff started the French horn at age 14, 15, he made his professional debut when he performed as soloist with the and receiving an anonymous gift scholarship to go to the Brooklyn College Preparatory Division. He received the Philadelphia Orchestra. Schocker has composed sonatas and chamber music for most instruments his bachelor’s degree from Manhattan School of Music (studying with David Jolley), and master’s of the orchestra. He also has written several musicals, including Far From the Madding Crowd and The degree from SUNY at Stony Brook (studying with William Purvis). He later continued his horn studies Awakening, which can be heard on Original Cast Recordings. Both shows were winners of the Global with Scott Brubaker and the late Jerome Ashby. He has been a member of the Alvin Ailey and Dance Search for New Musicals in the UK and were performed in Cardiff and at the Edinburgh Festival, as Theater of Harlem orchestras since 1995 and has performed numerous times under the direction of well as in New Zealand. In New York, they were winners of the ASCAP music theatre awards. Schocker Wynton Marsalis with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Jeff Scott is also the french hornist in the has won the International Clarinet Association’s annual composition competition twice and the National internationally acclaimed wind quintet Imani Winds. Jeff Scott has been on the horn faculty of the Flute Association’s annual Newly Published Music Award numerous times. He is the most-published music department at Montclair State University (New Jersey) since 2002. living composer for the flute with more than 200 pieces in print. Many prominent musicians have played his compositions, including James Galway, who gave the American premier of Green Places Poem For A Lost King with the New Jersey Symphony. Schocker was commissioned to write the required piece Biwako Poem For A Lost King pays homage to the many African Kings (particularly West African), elders and Wind for the International Flute Competition in Biwako, Japan for which he also served as judge. tribal chiefs abducted from their land during the ‘Middle Passage’ era. This programmatic work is informed by their uncertainty of freedom through generations and the hope that there can one day be a sense of reconciliation and true peace or “Hálá” (from the West African language of Mawu). There

Palisades_1669_book.indd 7-8 3/15/17 12:07 PM are specific sections within the work to help depict this story which are: Introduction, Village Children season. An important part of Palisades Virtuosi’s mission is to record and disseminate its new at Play, Dance of the Village Elders and Chiefs, The Furtive Attack, The Abduction and the Dance for compositions. With the assistance of substantial grants from the Argosy Foundation Contemporary Hálá. “Hálá” describes a society or relationship that is operating harmoniously and without violent Music Fund, the Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University, and private donations, this is the sixth conflict, healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, safety in matters of social volume recorded and released [by Albany Records]. These recordings have garnered rave reviews or economic welfare and the acknowledgement of equality and fairness in political relationships. from such publications as Fanfare Magazine, American Record Guide, and Living Music Journal. Equal- Peace be with you. ly passionate about more traditional music, PV has recorded an album [“Palisades Virtuosi in Recital”/ —Jeff Scott High Point Records], which features music of Bloch, Gaubert, Debussy, Scriabin, Saint-Saens and Danzi. The Palisades Virtuosi is the artist ensemble of PV Music Trio, Inc. (formerly known as Palisades Virtuosi, Inc.) which is a 501(c)(3) organization established to promote and enrich the repertoire for flute, clarinet and piano.

The Performers Margaret Swinchoski, flutist, began her musical studies at the age of nine in Vermont. She graduated Palisades Virtuosi with degrees and high honors both in Performing Arts and Music Education from Johnson State Dubbed “The Commissioners” by Chamber Music America magazine, Palisades Virtuosi has established College, Johnson, Vermont. She received her Master of Arts degree from Aaron Copland School of an enviable presence in the chamber music world since its inception fourteen years ago. The founders Music at Queens College. In addition to her private studio, Ms. Swinchoski is now on the faculty of are three friends, all who had hitherto enjoyed considerable success as individual performers, and The Ridgewood Conservatory. She is also a frequent associate artist with the renowned “di∙vi∙sion” who also shared a love of ensemble playing. After performing a few concerts together as a trio, they chamber ensemble. Ms. Swinchoski was a featured soloist at the National Flute Association Convention discovered that they had virtually exhausted the existing repertoire for flute, clarinet and piano. In the in the World Premiere of Leo Kraft’s “From The Hudson Valley” and also premiered Richard Lane’s midst of gathering frustration an idea presented itself: why not begin commissioning new works Flute Concerto with the Adelphi Chamber Orchestra. She has appeared as a concerto soloist with [by American composers] for their instrumental configuration? The concept was enthusiastically many other orchestras. Ms. Swinchoski was presented in her debut recital by Artists International at embraced and implemented. Now, to date, PV’s portfolio boasts more than 75 new pieces, acquired Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall. She has served as principal flutist with the Westchester and Harrisburg either directly through PV’s “Mission to Commission,” or by a work being gifted to PV by several and Symphony Orchestras, and travels to Ohio each summer to play principal flute with the Lancaster various composers. The collection, taken as a whole, exhibits an astounding richness and depth; the Festival Orchestra. Her solo debut CD “From The Hudson Valley” was released by Albany Records in ages of the composers range from sixteen to eighty, displaying a staggering array of styles and approaches. 2000 and garnered rave reviews from Fanfare magazine and American Record Guide. Ms. Swinchoski (For a comprehensive listing of the “Honor Roll,” you are invited to visit the composers page at our can also be heard on the Newport Classics, CRI and High Point labels. She formed the Legacy Duo website).The geographical “home-base” of PV is Bergen County, New Jersey, where they have performed with harpist Emily Mitchell in 2006 with which she concertized through the tri-state area and with their subscription concert series for the past 13 years. They have also travelled extensively, appearing whom she was heard on radio and television stations in the New York area. Ms. Swinchoski was at important venues which have included Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall, the Bruno Walter Auditorium/ honored recently with an Outstanding Alumni Award from Johnson State College. NY Public Library at Lincoln Center, the venerable Stratford Summer Music Festival (founded by Glenn Gould), the University of Hawaii, Honolulu (where they have an informal residency), and the New York Donald Mokrynski, clarinetist, is a native of metropolitan New York and has played with many of the Flute Club, to name a few. Recently, PV has been named Visiting Artists at Bergen Community College area’s finest ensembles. Currently principal clarinetist with the Garden State Philharmonic, Don has (New Jersey) and are currently celebrating their new Residency at The Ridgewood Conservatory this played principal with the Albany and New Haven Symphonies and was recently principal clarinetist

Palisades_1669_book.indd 9-10 3/15/17 12:07 PM with the national tour of “Phantom of the Opera” and with “The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber” starring Michael Crawford. Mr. Mokrynski has also performed with the New Jersey Symphony, Solisti New Acknowledgments York, and Orchestra New England, as well as the Jersey Lyric, New Haven and Connecticut Grand Producer: John Ostendorf Opera Companies. He is on the faculty of The Ridgewood Conservatory, the Thurnauer School of Recording Engineer: Paul Antonell Music at JCC on the Palisades as well as a large private studio. An avid chamber musician, Don has Assistant Engineer: Bella Blasko performed with members of the Orchestra and is a frequent associate artist with Recorded at the Clubhouse Studio in Rhinebeck, New York, July - August, 2016 the renowned “di∙vi∙sion” chamber ensemble. Graduating with honors from the Eastman School of www.theclubhousestudio.com Music and completing a master’s degree from the Juilliard School, Don has also attended the music festivals of Aspen, Waterloo and Heidelberg and has recorded for Koch International, Soundstream, Elektra and High Point records. Photo of Palisades Virtuosi: John V. Bentz, [email protected]

Ron Levy, internationally acclaimed pianist, has been called “first-class” by the New York Times. He New American Masters, Volume 6 would not have been possible without the generous contributions regularly appears in major venues, both as a soloist, and in partnership with many of the world’s of our donors at kickstarter.com including: leading singers and instrumentalists. A graduate of Oberlin, Mr. Levy has been pianist and harpsichordist ANGELS: Harry D. Mokrynski and Steve Perillo of the Oberlin Orchestra, the Westchester Symphony, and the Albany Symphony, among others. PATRONS: Matthew Baier and Michael J. Szymanski Presently, he is the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood Music Director, Associate Artist with the All Seasons Chamber Players, and is the pianist of the Orpheus Men’s Chorus. For more than 20 years, BENEFACTOR: Linda Marcel | SPONSOR: Sue & Bob Biskeborn Mr. Levy was associated with the Manchester (Vermont) Music Festival, of which he was a faculty and FRIENDS: Patrick Finley, Hal & Kay Gellert, Julie Greller, Ting Ho, Steven Lavitan, Larry Levy, Jim Lisanti, Board member. While living in Vermont, he was Music Director and Conductor of the Opera Theatre in Alis W. McCurdy, Teddy O’Farrell, Argine & Tigran Safari, Jeff Scott, Roger Stubblefield, William Vollinger Weston, and impresario of the “Third Saturday” chamber music series at the historic Equinox Hotel, as well as the “Music on the Hill” music series at the Southern Vermont Art Center. Mr. Levy has The members of Palisades Virtuosi would like to thank their families for their amazing and constant support taught at numerous colleges and is currently on the faculty of the Cali School of Music at Montclair and also their patrons and board members for their help without which this recording would not be possible. State University; he maintains an active and on-going affiliation with the Manhattan School of Music, Juilliard, and NJ PAC. A two-term President of the Professional Music Teachers’ Guild of New Jersey, he is a contributing editor to BIM Music Publications, Switzerland. In the Spring of 2016, Mr. Levy Adrienne Albert’s Dog Tales is published by Kenter Canyon Music celebrated the 50th Anniversary of his concerto debut in solo appearances with the Montclair Wind Matthew Baier’s Syzygy is published by the composer and available upon request Symphony, the Monmouth Symphony and the Rockland [New York] Symphony. Recordings by Gary William Friedman’s Reflections is published by 150 Music Mr. Levy are available on the Albany, Centaur, Eroica, Koch International, MMF and High Point labels. Linda Marcel’s Evocare II is published by C. La Mer Publishing Company Music for Ting Ho’s I’m Away From My Desk… is available from the composer ([email protected]) Jeff Scott’s Poem For A Lost King is published by Music By Jeff Scott www.musicbyjeffscott.com Gary Schocker’s Sonata No. 2 is published by Theodore Presser Company

Palisades_1669_book.indd 11-12 3/15/17 12:07 PM Palisades Virtuosi New American Masters, Volume 6

New American Masters, Volume 6 Adrienne Albert (b. 1941) Ting Ho (b. 1946) Dog Tales (2014) I’m away from my desk… (2011) for flute/piccolo, for flute, clarinet & piano clarinet/bass clarinet & piano 7 I. Stepped out [3:55] 1 I. Three Dog Night [5:34] 8 II. Stepped out again [4:08] 2 II. The Artful Dodger [6:50] 9 III. Stepped out last time [4:16] TROY1669 3 III. Mutt and Steff [3:27] Jeff Scott (b. 1978) Matthew Baier (b. 1957) 10 Poem For A Lost King (2012) 4 Syzygy (2005) for flute, clarinet & piano [12:34] for flute, clarinet & piano [8:07] Gary Schocker TROY1669 Gary William Friedman Sonata No. 2 (2014) 5 Reflections (2015) for flute, clarinet & piano for flute, clarinet & piano [10:30] 11 I. Flip [3:32] 12 II. Old Flame [5:24] Linda Marcel (b. 1958) 13 III. Fancypants [4:22] 6 Evocare II (2013) for flute, clarinet, piano Total Time = 78:50 & Tibetan singing bowls [6:09]

WWW.ALBANYRECORDS.COM TROY1669 ALBANY RECORDS U.S. 915 BROADWAY, ALBANY, NY 12207 TEL: 518.436.8814 FAX: 518.436.0643 ALBANY RECORDS U.K. BOX 137, KENDAL, CUMBRIA LA8 0XD TEL: 01539 824008 © 2017 ALBANY RECORDS MADE IN THE USA DDD WARNING: COPYRIGHT SUBSISTS IN ALL RECORDINGS ISSUED UNDER THIS LABEL. Palisades Virtuosi New American Masters, Volume 6

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