The Chamber Works

Of Allen Brings

 

 

OVERVIEW

 

This triple re-release contains a collection of works for small ensembles comprised of a diverse selection of instruments.  Along with two albums from Allen Brings, this reissue includes a compilation titled CONTRA-PUNCTUS (1994).

 

Brings’ DUOS, DUOLOGUES, AND A DUETTE (2006) stays true to its name with a set of duets for a mix of performers, including several different violinists, pianists, cellists, violists, clarinetists, flutists, and oboists. On MUSIC DA CAMERA (1997), the composer varies his performer pairings to include solo performers and trios for a series of fantasy-themed compositions.

 

While MUSIC DA CAMERA retains many of the same instruments as DUOS, DUOLOGUES, AND A DUETTE, Brings experiments with unique selections, including Chimeric Fantasy, a trio for alto saxophone, cello, and piano, as well as Fantasy Piece, a piano piece requiring four hands. Additionally, the album features members of the Meridian String Quartet, performing Trio for violin, viola, and cello.

 

American Record Guide praised MUSIC DA CAMERA for Brings’ “sincere, honest, and tough-minded expression of late 20th Century romanticism,” noting that while “his music relies on traditional materials in traditional forms, there is a knowingness about it that makes the overall effect more than backward-looking.”

 

On CONTRA-PUNCTUS, Brings resumes his duo performer writing, contributing Duo Concertante for violoncello and piano.

 

Both a composer and a pianist, Brings has twice served as chairman of the eastern region of the American Society of University Composers and currently serves as vice president of Connecticut Composers. He has received an ASCAP Award every year since 1975.

 

Additionally, Brings has taught at a number of schools, and holds professor emeritus status at his alma mater, the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College of the City University of New York, where he was coordinator of the theory and ear training program. He is now a director of the Weston Music Center and School of the Performing Arts in Connecticut, where he teaches piano and theory.

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CREDITS

 

Tracks 1-12

Recorded at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in New York City, NY

Recording Engineer David Hancock

 

These recordings were supported in part by a grant from The City

University of New York PSC-CUNY Research Award Program and from

a bequest by Constance Coates

 

Published by Mira Music Associates (ASCAP)

199 Mountain Road, Wilton CT 06897-1526

 

Tracks 13-27

Recorded in the LeFrak Concert Hall at The Aaron Copland School

of Music at Queens College, City University of New York, NY

Recording Engineer Rick Krahn

Editing & Mastering Da-Hong Seetoo

Piano Technician Andrew Saderman

 

Published by Mira Music Associates (ASCAP)

199 Mountain Road, Wilton CT 06897-1526

 

Executive Producer Bob Lord

Executive A&R Sam Renshaw

Audio Director  Jeff LeRoy

Engineering Manager  Lucas Paquette

Art & Production Director Brett Picknell

Graphic Design Ryan Harrison, Aaron Filderman

Marketing  Samantha Granville, John Higgins

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ALSO ON NAVONA RECORDS

 

(NV6077) SPECTRA

 

 

Release Date: April 14, 2017

Catalog #: NV6090

 

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TRACK INFO

 

1 DUO CONCERTANTE for violoncello and piano

Peter Rosenfeld, violoncello; Morey Ritt, piano

 

2 FANTAISIE for flute and harp

Lisa Hansen, flute; Susan Jolles, harp

 

3 FANTASY PIECE for piano, four-hands

Morey Ritt and Donald Pirone, piano

 

4 CHIMERIC FANTASY for alto saxophone, cello and piano

Cynthia Sikes, alto saxophone; Leo Grinhauz, violoncello;

Allen Brings, piano

 

SONATA DA CHIESA for solo violoncello

Alexander Kouguell, violoncello

5 First Movement

6 Second Movement

7 Third Movement

8 Fourth Movement

 

TRIO for violin, viola and cello

Members of The Meridian String Quartet; Sebu Sirinian, violin;

Liuh-Wen Ting, viola; Wolfram Koessel, violoncello

9 First Movement

10 Second Movement

11 Third Movement 

12 Fourth Movement

 

13 DUOLOGUE 7 for violin & piano

Daniel Phillips, violin; Morey Ritt, piano

 

DUO for cello & piano

Garfield Moore, cello; Stephanie Watt, piano

14 First Movement

15 Second Movement

16 Third Movement

 

DUOLOGUE 8 for viola & cello

Deborah Wong, viola; Adam Grabois, cello

17 Duologue 8a

18 Duologue 8b

 

19 DUOLOGUE 5 for clarinet & cello

Edward Gilmore, clarinet; Adam Grabois, cello

 

20 DUOLOGUE for oboe & clarinet

Matt Sullivan, oboe; Edward Gilmore, clarinet

 

21 DUOLOGUE 2 for flute & oboe

Lisa Hansen, flute; Gary Hamme, oboe

 

DUO for clarinet & piano

Esther Lamneck, clarinet; Judith Olson, piano

22 First Movement

23 Second Movement

24 Third Movement

 

DUETTE for flute & piano

Lisa Hansen, flute; Allen Brings, piano

25 First Movement

26 Second Movement

27 Third Movement