Winter's Warmth

Andrew Schultz

John A. Carollo

R. Barry Ulrich

J.A. Kawarsky

 

 

OVERVIEW

 

One of the central tenets of Albert Camus’ philosophy is the indomitability of the human spirit, a subject on which he famously mused that “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” This quote encapsulates the theme of WINTER’S WARMTH, Navona’s latest orchestral compilation featuring works from John A. Carollo, J.A. Kawarsky, Andrew Schultz, and R. Barry Ulrich. These composers present conceptual pieces that all act as soundtracks to our resiliency during the toughest moments of the human experience.

 

Let Freedom Ring, the first of Carollo’s two contributions to the album, focuses specifically on the freedoms of the American experience, utilizing an aesthetic of performer interpretation to exemplify the inalienable rights of Americans. A triumphant instrumental mood conjures intense feelings of patriotism despite being set in a minor key.

 

The shifting phases of Kawarsky’s Episodes speaks to the need to overcome life’s unpredictable changes. Amidst the crawls and crescendos of the piece’s orchestral mood, the piano retains center stage through the piece, pointing to a steadfast confrontation of turbulent times. The piano and orchestra often engage in a call-and-response manner of conversation, with strings and piano working to develop the central theme introduced with clarinet as the piece concludes.

 

Carollo’s second piece, The Transfiguration of Giovanni Baudino, similarly focuses on these themes of change, with the composer describing his fascination with the process of transfiguration and the “transformations we experience as human beings living through life’s demands and delights, its turmoil and tribulations.” The composition is appropriately tumultuous, journeying through numerous, intense orchestral moods.

 

Schultz contributes the majestic Falling Man/Dancing Man, a piece inspired by two contrasting depictions of human reactions to war – a photo of a man leaping to his death from the burning World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 and a snapshot of celebration in the streets after an allied victory in World War II. This creates a clear juxtaposition of themes throughout, given life by the composition’s lofty three movements which breathe in and out with orchestral swells. Throughout, an inspired organ performance provides the work’s trailblazing element.

 

The album’s name sake manifests in Ulrich’s Russian Winter, a short segment of a larger, string suite written in G minor. The title perfectly matches the imagery conjured by the cinematic nature of the composer’s writing; it’s easy to picture this piece playing in the background as grandiose shots of the cold Russian tundra loom in the distance.

 

Despite the numerous themes explored on WINTER’S WARMTH, there remains an underlying feeling of hope which points to the triumph of humanity within times of hardship. These four composers’ talents work towards a cohesive album rife with musical commentary on what it means to thrive within the human experience.

 

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HIGHLIGHTS

 

WINTER’S WARMTH is the latest orchestral compilation from Navona Records, bringing together four composers who’ve all written pieces revolving around the idea of strength and perseverance throughout the human experience.

 

A teacher for nearly 40 years, now retired R. Barry Ulrich is currently an active member of the Southern Oregon chapter of the National Association of Composers/USA. Written in G minor for string orchestra, Russian Winter is part of a larger suite which the composer intended to “recall the extreme weather in the steppes of Russia.”

 

J.A. Kawarsky teaches music theory and composition at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in Princeton, New Jersey. His musical inspiration behind Episodes was drawn from a variety of artists and musical styles, including Dave Brubeck, Modest Mussorgsky, Jacques Offenbach, Gerald Finzi, and Jewish Yom Kippur services.

 

Australian composer Andrew Schultz has taught at schools across the globe, presently teaching music at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. Schultz’s work Magnificat appeared on a past Navona compilation called FOUNDATIONS, with The Music Trust declaring that the piece “would sit well beside Bach.”

 

Born in Torino, Italy and brought to the U.S. by his adoptive parents, John A. Carollo finally settled in Hawaii and has been composing full-time for the past decade. One of eight composers featured on ABRAZO, Ansonica Records’ debut album recorded in Cuba, Carollo’s contributions to the record were described as a “fun field day” by Jazz Weekly.

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ALSO ON NAVONA RECORDS

 

(NV6050) SPARKS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Release Date: April 14, 2017

Catalog #: NV6091

 

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TRACK INFO

 

Andrew Schultz

 

Falling Man/Dancing Man for solo organ and orchestra, Opus 68 (2005)

Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra  |  Petr Vronsky conductor

Karel Martínek organ

 

1  Infinity Jinx

2  Deep Crossing

3 The Laughing Man

 

John A. Carollo

 

4  Let Freedom Ring

Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra  |  Petr Vronsky conductor

 

5  The Transfiguration of Giovanni Baudino

Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra  |  Petr Vronsky conductor

 

R. Barry Ulrich

 

6  Russian Winter

Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra  |  Petr Vronsky conductor

 

J.a. Kawarsky

 

7  Episodes

St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra  | Vladimir Lande conductor

Peter Laul piano

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CREDITS

 

Andrew Schultz

 

Falling Man/Dancing Man for solo organ and orchestra, Opus 68 (2005)

Recorded September 13, 2016 at Dům Kultury in Ostrava, Czech Republic

Session Producer Vít Mužík

Session Engineers Aleš Dvořák, Jan Košulič

 

John A. Carollo

 

Let Freedom Ring

March 1, 2016 at Reduta Hall, in Olomouc CZ

Session Producer Vít Mužík

Session Engineer Pavel Kuncar

 

The Transfiguration of Giovanni Baudino

Recorded September 12, 2016 at Reduta Hall, in Olomouc CZ

Session Producer Vít Mužík

Session Engineers Aleš Dvořák, Jan Košulič

 

R. Barry Ulrich

 

Russian Winter

Recorded September 14, 2016 at Reduta Hall, in Olomouc CZ

Session Producer Vít Mužík

Session Engineers Aleš Dvořák, Jan Košulič

 

J.a. Kawarsky

 

Episodes

Recorded June 30, 2016 at Studio 1, House of Radio

in St. Petersburg, Russia

Producer & Engineer Alexei Barashkin

 

Executive Producer Bob Lord

Executive A&R Sam Renshaw

A&R Alex Bourne, Chris Robinson

Audio Director Jeff LeRoy

Editing, Mixing & Mastering Shaun Michaud,

Lucas Paquette, Levi Brown

Art & Production Director Brett Picknell

Graphic Design Ryan Harrison

Marketing Samantha Granville, John Higgins