MEMENTOS OF CONTEMPORARY COMPOSERS COMING IN AUGUST

Navona Records is proud to present Mementos, a compilation of modern orchestral works. This all-new release features four original and widely diverse compositions from four young contemporary composers. Keith Kramer, a Maryland-based composer and educator, opens the disc with “Emerge,” which he says “reflects the simplest and yet the most intricate aspects of existence.” Kramer’s description is fitting of the piece, which ranges from minimal and arrhythmic to percussive and cinematic. Stephen Yip, a Hong Kong native currently residing in Texas, presents “Raining in Autumn,” for solo violin and orchestra. The music evokes the sights, sounds, and smells of a damp October afternoon, along with the emotions that accompany such days. Next is Jason Barabba’s “Conjecture.” The Los Angeles-based composer creates a piece where the solo clarinet and orchestra appear to be simultaneously inspired based on one another’s ideas. Shawn Crouch’s “City Columns” closes out the disc. Inspired by the art-deco architecture of New York City, this percussive urban soundscape evokes a morning stroll through mid-town Manhattan. The composers featured on Mementos use each of their works to form a compilation that is surprisingly coherent, while remaining consistently varied and surprising.

Mementos will be available everywhere on August 25, 2009. Distributed by Naxos.

Posted: June 10th, 2009  |  No Comments »