Contemporary Colours Vol 2
Catalog #: NV6664
Release Date: November 8, 2024
21st CenturyOrchestralOrchestraLauded by Gramophone Magazine for the “well-drilled performances” delivered in their first installment, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra returns with CONTEMPORARY COLOURS VOL 2, the long-awaited follow up to their 2020 Navona Records release. A keen promoter of Maltese composers, the orchestra brings to life works that explore themes of Greek tragedy, religious symbolism, existential philosophy, struggles that shape the human experience, and more. Conductor Miran Vautopić leads the celebrated ensemble through this exhilarating display of Maltese virtuosity.
Gustav Hoyer: Symphony No. 1
Catalog #: NV6674
Release Date: October 25, 2024
21st CenturyOrchestralOrchestraEmerging from Gustav Hoyer’s innate desire to push the boundaries of his personal musicality, SYMPHONY NO. 1 is the cumulation of a lifetime of affectionate study of orchestral craft. Mirroring Hoyer’s own musical passage from then to now, and commenting on the strange, uncertain state of our world following a pandemic, Symphony No. 1 dances a path of regaining hope in the face of anxiety and strife. Vast instrumentation conveys tense uncertainty and glorious resurrection in a shattering finale that ensures Hoyer’s first symphony will be regarded as a triumph for the composer and an unforgettable experience for listeners.
Royal Coronation Overture
Catalog #: NV6652
Release Date: August 16, 2024
21st CenturyOrchestralOrchestraOrganROYAL CORONATION OVERTURE by Dr. Patrick Brill is a contemporary take on the program overture model of the 19th Century, a genre most commonly heard in concert hall performances, as well as church services and royal coronation ceremonies. Dr. Brill, an expert in Medieval and Renaissance music, capitalized on his extensive background in classical music and experience crafting large-scale orchestral pieces to compose this opulent overture. This studio recording of the piece is also available in a Dolby Atmos immersive audio format, placing listeners directly into the lavish fanfare by which this music is historically accompanied. Carrying on the 200-year tradition of the program overture, this work is a majestic delight for the modern ear.
Dream Vapors Suite (Live)
Catalog #: NV6649
Release Date: August 16, 2024
21st CenturyOrchestralOrchestraMusic can possess the power to take hold of our emotions, guiding us along an imagined journey that stirs our inner being, a concurrently unique and familiar experience. Critically-acclaimed composer Rain Worthington writes music to captivate the listener, creating textural and lyrical worlds that are inhabited by various colors and tones. In this live performance of her piece Dream Vapors Suite from the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, the composer presents intense dreams, intangible perceptions, and musically evocative elaborations.
Symphonic Chronicles Vol III
Catalog #: NV6624
Release Date: June 14, 2024
21st CenturyRomanticOrchestralOrchestraEmbracing the same spirit of innovation and artistic exploration that captivated audiences in its previous installments, SYMPHONIC CHRONICLES VOL III unites a diverse assembly of today’s leading composers and performers. This edition offers listeners a variety of themes and moods to explore, from perspectives of an ancient civilization to Croatian folklore, remembrance of those we’ve lost, odes to the tranquility and vastness of our natural world, and more. Performed by several celebrated ensembles, each piece in this Navona Records release lends a fresh perspective and unique voice to the celebrated tradition of classical orchestral music.
Violin Concerto and Symphony No. 1
Catalog #: NV6627
Release Date: May 10, 2024
21st CenturyConcertosOrchestralOrchestraViolinThe violin concerto is a challenging setup to write for: it beckons with promises of both might and fragility. Composer Christopher Alan Schmitz is well-versed in both the theoretical and practical aspects of composition: his resulting VIOLIN CONCERTO AND SYMPHONY NO. 1 gets the balance just right. The tonal language is reminiscent of Bruckner and Mahler, as raw emotion mixes with splendor. The ultimate success of this precarious, heady concoction rests on the shoulders of conductor Stefan Sanderling and particularly, violinist Amy Schwarz Moretti, member of the acclaimed Ehnes Quartet. Stirringly written and performed to perfection, a success it is.
Máscaras
Catalog #: NV6575
Release Date: February 9, 2024
21st CenturyConcertosOrchestralHarpOrchestraProduced with audio captured from two live concerts held at Merrill Auditorium in Portland ME, the Portland Symphony Orchestra presents a world-class recording featuring works by three living Mexican composers on MÁSCARAS. The PSO makes their opening statement with a newly-revised version of Enrico Chapela’s 2017 work Rotor, an intense rhythmic etude, followed by Arturo Márquez’s Máscaras, a concerto for harp and orchestra inspired by ancient pre-Hispanic Mexican tradition. Ángeles de Llama y Hielo by Ana Lara follows suit, a nod to a 16th century German woodcut print and the cosmological philosophy that inspired it. Polished, authentic, and strong, the performances on MÁSCARAS reflect the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s rich musical energy and commitment to ever broadening its horizons.
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Catalog #: NV6590
Release Date: February 2, 2024
21st CenturyConcertosOrchestralOrchestraVoiceRenowned composer Gustav Hoyer comes to Navona Records with an ambitious and harrowing seven-part orchestral setting of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER. Hoyer melds the spoken word and musical text-setting traditions into a hauntingly atmospheric narrative concerto, the Budapest Film Orchestra coming to life as supernatural forces and creatures in the text. Meanwhile, the narrator speaks of the Mariner’s eternal penance, a stark contrast to the roiling orchestral timbres that puts listeners in the shoes of the frightened wedding guest fated to hear the Mariner’s tale. An undoubtedly ghoulish but incredibly sophisticated musical illustration of Coleridge’s famed narrative, Hoyer is no-holds-barred in his talent for the narrative orchestra, producing a musical journey packed with all the intensity and horror of the text from which it hails.
Symphonic Chronicles Vol II
Catalog #: NV6584
Release Date: January 5, 2024
21st CenturyRomanticOrchestralOrchestraHailed by critics as a “descriptive and evocative” collection of contemporary classical music, the SYMPHONIC CHRONICLES series returns with a brand new roster of celebrated composers from a wide variety of backgrounds and influences. Anthony Wilson’s Númenor examines the sudden shifts in society that can bring us from peace to turmoil, while Octavian Nemescu’s The Inner Staircase courageously confronts forces of tyranny. In contrast, Stearns Wharf by Michael Roush follows the journey of two lovers in an impassioned pas de deux, while Margaret Brandman’s Gentle Summer Rain comments on the ethereal beauty found in juxtaposing aspects of nature. With performances by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava, Brno Contemporary Orchestra, and Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra, SYMPHONIC CHRONICLES VOL II offers listeners a variegated palette of new music.
Music of People and Place
Catalog #: NV6586
Release Date: December 1, 2023
21st CenturyFolk MusicConcertosOrchestralOrchestraComposer Vincent Kennedy and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra bring MUSIC OF PEOPLE AND PLACE to Navona Records. Selected from some of his most beloved works and inspired by the people, mysticism, mythology, history, and landscapes of his native Ireland, this album is a rich collection of 19 stories, each appealing to the human spirit with sublime performances by the superb musicians of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra.
Dashing Vol. 4
Catalog #: NV6569
Release Date: November 10, 2023
21st CenturyFolk MusicHolidayOrchestralChoirOrchestraPianoLight the fireplace, don your coziest sweater, and let the festive sounds of DASHING VOL. 4 from Navona Records whisk you away on a joyful journey through holiday music both new and familiar. Featuring a fresh line-up of contemporary composers, this edition of the series fuses the magic and warmth of holiday tones with the modern flair of today’s classical music, making for a neatly-packaged gift that's sure to spark the spirit of the season. From new choral and orchestral expressions to cherished melodies and bluesy interpretations of classic tunes, DASHING VOL. 4 spares no expense in merriment and good cheer.
Comme Bon Lui Semble
Catalog #: NV6560
Release Date: October 27, 2023
21st CenturyOrchestralSolo InstrumentalOrchestraPianoViolinComposer Sophie Dupuis presents dazzling, profoundly eclectic compositions inspired by visual art on COMME BON LUI SEMBLE. Dupuis' musical language is measured, almost minimalist, but the colors she weaves into bright tapestries of sound certainly aren't. Pop culture or high culture, she draws inspiration from numerous sources — leading to compositions that are at once highly abstract, yet highly descriptive. It's a tightrope to walk, and at dizzying heights, but thankfully, Dupuis is not susceptible to musical vertigo.
Brass Tacks 2
Catalog #: NV6556
Release Date: September 8, 2023
21st CenturyOrchestralSolo InstrumentalLarge EnsembleTromboneTrumpetIt's no secret that brass instruments can infuse any musical setting with a hair-raising surge of untamed energy and fervor. On BRASS TACKS VOL 2 from Navona Records, the brass family finds itself the spotlight, showcasing unique tones and unhindered expressiveness that’ve been carefully extracted by a variety of seasoned composers and performers. Spanning joy rides in stylish sports cars, jazz-influenced passages, fusions with percussive instruments, and more, this release explores a wide range of emotions and compositional styles, each uncovering an inherent intensity and bravado that pushes the boundaries of brass repertoire.
Voices of the Land
Catalog #: NV6553
Release Date: September 8, 2023
21st CenturyOrchestralLarge EnsembleVOICES OF THE LAND from composer Christina Rusnak guides listeners on a journey through America, celebrating its landscape and its people. Featuring the Juventas New Music Ensemble, the pieces on this album explore the emotions and experiences of settlers, miners, and indigenous people as they navigated the challenges, triumphs, and indignities of early American history. Drawing inspiration from the Homestead Act and the Klondike Gold Rush to the John Day River and Pine Meadow Ranch, Rusnak’s music weaves together the rhythms and sounds of nature with the stories of the nation’s early inhabitants. This album is in keeping with Rusnak’s other work as a composer, focusing on the intersection of place, nature, culture, history, and art. A powerful tribute to the land and the people who shaped it, VOICES OF THE LAND invites listeners to reflect on the complex history of America.
Shanghaied Paisano
Catalog #: NV6545
Release Date: August 25, 2023
21st CenturyOrchestralLarge EnsembleComposer and double bassist Peter Paulsen presents SHANGHAIED PAISANO, featuring the contemporary music ensemble TurksHeadKnot joined by The Dali Quartet. TurksHeadKnot, which includes Paulsen on double bass and as director, Chris Hanning on percussion, and Chris Bacas on saxophones, incorporates the discipline and precision of modern classical composition with the expressive flow of jazz improvisation. The ensemble is accompanied on this album by The Dali Quartet, a string ensemble known for mixing Latin American, Classical, and Romantic repertoire. SHANGHAIED PAISANO features Paulsen’s Shanghaied Paisano, a four-movement work inspired by Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s Americus IV, as well as Paulsen’s arrangement of Chega De Saudade by Antonio Carlos Jobim.
Bee-Sharp Honeybee
Catalog #: NV6539
Release Date: August 25, 2023
21st CenturyOrchestralString OrchestraBEE-SHARP HONEYBEE from composer Rae Howell is an immersive journey through the secret life of bees, performed here by the Sunwrae String Orchestra, intertwined with the hum of a live honeybee hive. It is the foundation of a large-scale multimedia work, featuring live animated projections synchronized with the music, and a real-time stream of honeybees, filmed, amplified, and intermittently fed through the live performance. Developed from extensive research into bee (buzz) rhythm, pitch, and "waggle dance" patterns (the sophisticated system of communication between bees, detailing the distance and direction of nectar in the environment), BEE-SHARP HONEYBEE magnifies the subtle intricacies of the beehive, highlighting these distinct patterns, identified through field recordings made during the initial research and development of the project.
Sublimitas
Catalog #: NV6544
Release Date: August 11, 2023
21st CenturyOrchestralOrchestraNavona Records is proud to present SUBLIMITAS, a symphonic album bringing to life the posthumous works of composer Michael G. Cunningham. Performed by the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra, Cunningham’s 5th and 6th Symphonies soar with spirited flair and clarity. These works are thoughtfully paired with his Mountain Poem, a jubilant and moving piece composed with musical peaks and valleys that simulate a thrilling adventure. As a composer whose works span 11 previous Navona Records releases, the works presented on SUBLIMITAS make for a delightful final parting gift from an artist who showed an unwavering dedication to sharing his music with the world.
Dimensions Vol. 5
Catalog #: NV6542
Release Date: July 28, 2023
21st CenturyOrchestralOrchestraHot on the heels of its preceding installments, DIMENSIONS VOL. 5 from Navona Records highlights the works of seven celebrated composers. These orchestral pieces showcase a broad range of innovative compositional styles featuring traditional and modern influences, drawing inspiration from an opera about a mystical wolf, moments of uncertainty and reflection in life, the music of Handel, and traditional Latvian folk music, just to name a few. Leveraging musical passion and orchestral ferocity, DIMENSIONS VOL. 5 offers listeners a broad example of some of the most exciting work in contemporary orchestral music.
Dancing in the Palm of God’s Hand
Catalog #: NV6522
Release Date: May 26, 2023
21st CenturyOrchestralSolo InstrumentalOrchestraSaxophoneVoiceDANCING IN THE PALM OF GOD'S HAND from J.A. Kawarsky and Navona Records isn't at all a typical worship album; rather, it's a cross section through Kawarsky's oeuvre that encompasses minimalist solo pieces, intimate chamber music, and grand orchestral works. The themes on this album are vast and sweeping, at once lavish and carefully measured, reflecting the great and the minute, like an interplay between human and God. It's an almost philosophical experience, and one needn't be religious to enjoy its uplifting qualities.
Symphonic Chronicles Vol I
Catalog #: NV6519
Release Date: April 28, 2023
21st CenturyOrchestralOrchestraPianoViolinSYMPHONIC CHRONICLES VOL I from Navona Records features the works of celebrated living composers from a wide variety of backgrounds and influences. Performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the music touches on topics ranging from jazz to the COVID pandemic, racial injustice, and more. Steve Law’s melodic and rhythmic Piano Concerto draws inspiration from Gershwin, Rachmaninoff, and Prokofiev while assimilating the influences of jazz, pop, and minimalism. In Barbara Jazwinski’s Fantasy on Jazz, the composer meditates on the complex and ever-evolving music of New Orleans. Simon Andrews’ Interlude No. 3 from “The Scars On His Back” recounts the story of legendary Native American freedom fighter Po’pay, and the revolt against the Spanish colonists he helped inspire. These examples are just a taste of the evocative works found on SYMPHONIC CHRONICLES VOL I.