Kernis: Chamber Music

Editorial Reviews
Raymond Tuttle: Fanfare Magazine
The level of musicianhip on this CD is very high.......I enthusiastically recommend this CD.

Album Description
This collection of chamber music, written over the course of more than a decade, shows Kernis composing in a number of different styles with consistent creativity and artistic success. The earliest work on this disc, "Meditation", was written as a response to the shooting of former Beatle John Lennon. Based on 'the tonal harmonies and melodic shapes of Lennon's beautiful song "Imagine", Meditation sounds like parts of Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time -- specifically, the rapturous fifth movement -- but recomposed along even more static (yet emotionally gripping) lines. "Before Sleep and Dreams", written in the late 1980s, is a suite of five piano pieces that purports to depict a small child's getting ready for bed. Kernis looks deeply into his material and sees that sleep is death's brother, and the music's innocence is tempered by the realization -- although it is not made explicit -- of darker colors and more existential thoughts. Kernis's piano writing is marvelously distinctive, and full of rhythmic and harmonic interest. "The Four Seasons of Futurist Cuisine" (to use its English title) is an outrageous work first performed in 1991. Scored for violin, cello, piano, and narrator, it's a setting of Italian artist F.T. Marinetti's 'cookbook' cum artistic manifesto. In these texts, Marinetti seems to be asking, 'What should our gleamingly efficient new art taste like?' The result is brilliantly surreal -- a synesthetic banquet, if you will. Kernis leaps into the fray with both feet, composing music that is at times fiery, at times tender, but never far from nose-thumbing mockery. He has a great deal of fun quoting other composers -- everyone from Bruckner to Chopin -- but no matter how absurd it all seems, perhaps Kernis is saying that the right combination of familiar ingredients can give rise to the most wonderfully unfamiliar stews. Air is the most recent work on this CD. It already has been recorded for Argo by Joshua Bell in its version for violin and orchestra. The music has a wide-open-spaces feel, but it also sounds intensely personal and romantic. Kernis dedicated it to his wife, who is the pianist on this recording.

Tracks:

Colored Field
Pandora Dance
Hymns And Tablets
Musica Celestis
Air

Customer Reviews:

A Beautiful Recording of Good Music.......2007-01-12

Kernis's 3-part "Colored Field" (cuts 1-3, 22:24) and "Air" (cut 5, 11:46) are good, but I bought this CD primarily for "Musica Celestis" (cut 4, 12:22), which I had heard on Sirius. On either side of a somewhat more energetic and up-tempo middle section, "Musica Celestis" is very relaxing and simply beautiful -- a great piece to "unwind" by. It is reminiscent of Barber's "Adagio" and even portions of Holst's outer planets, "Uranus" and "Neptune." All the music on this recording is good, but I would have bought the disc just to have "Musica Celestis."

What I expected.......2005-10-26

I heard the piece "Musica Celestis" performed by the Seattle Symphony and immediately ordered this CD. The piece is beautiful and the others included on the CD give an interesting overview of Kernis' other work.

Heard it live at its introduction.......2005-08-03

I had to share with those lucky enough to have found this wonderful composition and composer. I'm biased to the MN Orch as its my hometown team; despite that bias, I believe this to be a composition difficult to describe in words -- beautiful and awesome are too bland. The narrative arc that carries you through the piece gives me hope that the 21st century will produce great works yet.

I had a chance to hear the debut of this piece when Kernis was Artist in Residence and the audience's reaction at the end of the piece was indicative of the wonder of this music. There was a slight, yet palpable, collective intake of breath, a pause,then the warmest, geniune outpouring of appreciation through applause and cheers.

I highly recommend this collection.

A Masterpiece.......2002-05-01

Yesterday, I heard this work for the first time and was greatly moved by it. While I very rarely do this, I felt compelled to listen to it again today. I guess critical mass was achieved the second time, because on the second hearing I was totally and completely emotionally blown away by this work, as much if not more so than any work of music I have ever heard!

It's my custom to not read the cover notes of a CD until after I have formed some initial impression of a work. Like the Rouse Symphony No. 2, which I recently commented on, it was clear that this work was dealing some very deep, and at times tragic, painful issues. There is also a section of exquisite beauty. Certainly, this work seemes to have been inspired by something that greatly moved the composer.

The Rouse was in part an attempt to dealt with the death of a friend and colleague. The first movement of "Colored Field" is directly inspired by the memory of the systematic extermination of millions. Kernis visited Auschwitz and Birkenau in 1989. While there he saw "children chewing on a blades of grass", which led to the realization "that the ground from which they sprang [the grass] was once blood soaked: an outlandish combination of regenerative innocence and latent evil".

I almost didn't buy this CD based on Daniel Felsenfeld's review on ClassicsToday.com. He refers to the music as "soupy" (he is entitled to his opinion of course, but I STRONGLY disagree with him on this point). Since the work had been previously written for English horn, he seems to question why even bother substituting the cello. I quote: "You have to wonder, though, what the point is of a release from a living composer that contains no new works" and "revamped solo cello part (read: double-stops!)". I wonder how closely Felsenfeld compared the two solo parts? The composer may disagree with Felsenfeld. I quote "the new version brings a different expression to the solo line". I listened to snips of the "English horn" version on Amazon and it sounds a *lot* different to me.

Why Felsenfeld gave an 8 to the performance escapes me. Truls Mork's (the "o" should be slashed) cello playing is state-of-the-art. I even forgive him for his sometimes audible gasps for air (some cellists do this as part of their phrasing). Ironically, in this work it's possibly an effective addition. The Minnesota and Oue seem to be in total command of the music. I would think the fact Kernis is the "New Music Director" of the orchestra gives added authority to this performance.

I give this a 10/9+ (performance/recording). In addition to an exceptional performance the sound is just fine, thank you. It's full, well-balanced, and in no way hinders the enjoyment of the piece.

The work itself is a genuine masterpiece. This is yet another work that SHOULD be widely placed in symphony halls, but likely will not. Thankfully, it has earned a major award by becoming the winner of the 2002 University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition. The award also includes a $200,000 stipend. Hopefully, this will allow Kernis to focus on his next masterpiece, which I will greatly look forward to hearing it after it is released.

Heard on radio.......2001-12-27

Tonight, on Public Radio, I heard this orchestra play Musica Celestis. It was like listening to Barber's Adagio, only more joyful. I rushed into the house to see whether there was a commercial recording available, and simply had to share my discovery with other Amazon customers. I intend to buy this CD, and use it whenever I need serenity.

Average customer rating:

Dirty Little Secret

Manufacturer: Endeavour Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000NA279E
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Tracks:

The Body Of Your Dreams - Jacob Ter Veldhuis
Beat - Gerard Beljon
Carnaval Noir - Derek Bermel
A Dirty Little Secret - Daniel Felsenfeld
Maple Leaf Rag - Scott Joplin
Boogie Woogie Etude - Morton Gould
China Gates - John Adams
Fanfares - Gyorgy Ligeti
Poltergeist Rag - William Bolcom
Jaunt - Derek Bermel
Lullaby - Derek Bermel
Me Bu-to-so - Amonte Parsons
Medieval Induction - Marc Mellits
Superstar Etude No.1 - Aaron Jay Kernis

Album Description

2007 Grammy nominee Andrew Russo rides his supercharged piano into the twenty-first century with fourteen dirty little secrets packed with verve and humor, crankiness and delight, sweat and sarcasm, attitude and acrobatics, power and peril, joy and turbulence, punch and grace-fourteen short masterworks by twelve of today's most relevant composers!

A number of classical albums feature recitals of short 'encore' piano pieces, mostly nienteenth-century trifles. Dirty Little Secret has a similar structure-that is, it is a piano album with many short tracks. However, it reflects both a repertoire and attitude that belong to this century of sound bites, downloads, and the cynical sarcasm of Generation X.

A versatile, prolific artist both onstage and in the recording studio, American pianist Andrew Russo has made a name for himself through his work with many of today's leading composers in the US and Europe. As a recitalist, Russo's programs frequently feature premieres. Trained classically at the Juilliard School and the Hochschule fur Music and Theater Mendelssohn in Leipzig, he pursued further specialized training in Paris with Frederic Chiu. In addition to his extensive solo activities, Russo is a member of the piano/cello/percussion trio Real Quiet, a group much involved in commissioning new music.

"A pianist who knows no limits" -- London Times "Andrew Russo is by no means just `another pianist.'" -- Gramophone

A number of records feature recitals of short `encore' piano pieces, mostly nineteenth-century trifles. Dirty Little Secret is a record with a similar structure--that is, a piano album with many short tracks. However, it reflects both a repertoire and attitude that belong to this century of sound bites, downloads, and the cynical sarcasm of Generation X. A versatile, prolific artist both on and offstage and in the recording studio, American pianist Andrew Russo has made a name for himself through his work with many of today's leading composers in the United States and Europe. Trained classically at the Juilliard School and the Hochschule fur Musik und Theater Mendelssohn in Leipzig, Russo pursued further specialized training in Paris with Frederic Chiu. It was during those years that Russo began developing relationships with many important American and European composers, began working with electro-acoustic music, and explored an ongoing interest for the hybrid world of live musical performance and theater. As a recitalist, Russo's programs frequently feature premieres. In addition to his activities as a performer and event organizer, he dedicates time to the direction and development of Music Journeys INC, a non-profit foundation he founded in 2001.

The Lark Quartet plays Aaron Jay Kernis
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The Lark Quartet plays Aaron Jay Kernis

Manufacturer: Arabesque Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by Kernis | Kernis, Aaron Jay | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
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Kernis: Chamber Music

Aaron Jay Kernis: Colored Field/Still Movement With Hymn

Aaron Jay Kernis - Colored Field · Musica Celestis · Air / Truls Mørk · Minnesota Orchestra · Eiji Oue

ASIN: B00000J861
Release Date: 1999-05-18

Tracks:

Overture - String Quartet #2 ('musica instrumentalis'): Prelude - Air - Coorente - Stretto - Canzonetta - Musette - Canzoneta Piccola - Ritornelli Diversi e con Variazioni
String Quartet #2 ('musica instrumentalis'): Sarbande Double, Sarabande Simple
String Quartet #2 ('musica instrumentalis'): Double Triple Gigue Fugue (after Beethoven)
String Quartet #1 ('musica celetis'): Flowing
String Quartet #1 ('musica celetis'): 'Musica celetis' - Adagio
String Quartet #1 ('musica celetis'): Scherzo - Trio Semplice - Scherzo
String Quartet #1 ('musica celetis'): Quasi una danza

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Kernis: Chamber Music

Manufacturer: Phoenix USA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Symphony in Waves
Aaron Jay Kernis - Colored Field · Musica Celestis · Air / Truls Mørk · Minnesota Orchestra · Eiji Oue
The Lark Quartet plays Aaron Jay Kernis
Second Symphony/Musica Celestis
Aaron Jay Kernis: Colored Field/Still Movement With Hymn

ASIN: B00004TV76
Release Date: 1999-05-18

Tracks:

Kernis: Before Sleep and Dreams / Evelyne Luest
Kernis: Air / Andrea Schultz, Evelyne Luest
Kernis: Meditation (In Memory Of John Lennon) / Finckel, Kernis
Kernis: The Four Seasons Of Futurist Cuisine / The Eberli Ensemble

Album Description

This collection of chamber music, written over the course of more than a decade, shows Kernis composing in a number of different styles with consistent creativity and artistic success. The earliest work on this disc, "Meditation", was written as a response to the shooting of former Beatle John Lennon. Based on 'the tonal harmonies and melodic shapes of Lennon's beautiful song "Imagine", Meditation sounds like parts of Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time -- specifically, the rapturous fifth movement -- but recomposed along even more static (yet emotionally gripping) lines. "Before Sleep and Dreams", written in the late 1980s, is a suite of five piano pieces that purports to depict a small child's getting ready for bed. Kernis looks deeply into his material and sees that sleep is death's brother, and the music's innocence is tempered by the realization -- although it is not made explicit -- of darker colors and more existential thoughts. Kernis's piano writing is marvelously distinctive, and full of rhythmic and harmonic interest. "The Four Seasons of Futurist Cuisine" (to use its English title) is an outrageous work first performed in 1991. Scored for violin, cello, piano, and narrator, it's a setting of Italian artist F.T. Marinetti's 'cookbook' cum artistic manifesto. In these texts, Marinetti seems to be asking, 'What should our gleamingly efficient new art taste like?' The result is brilliantly surreal -- a synesthetic banquet, if you will. Kernis leaps into the fray with both feet, composing music that is at times fiery, at times tender, but never far from nose-thumbing mockery. He has a great deal of fun quoting other composers -- everyone from Bruckner to Chopin -- but no matter how absurd it all seems, perhaps Kernis is saying that the right combination of familiar ingredients can give rise to the most wonderfully unfamiliar stews. Air is the most recent work on this CD. It already has been recorded for Argo by Joshua Bell in its version for violin and orchestra. The music has a wide-open-spaces feel, but it also sounds intensely personal and romantic. Kernis dedicated it to his wife, who is the pianist on this recording.

Kernis: Symphony In Waves/Musica Celestis

Average customer rating:

Aaron Jay Kernis: Music to Hear
brilliant
Kernis' two masterpieces beautifully performed
Masterful use of the Orchestra

Kernis: Symphony In Waves/Musica Celestis

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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John Adams: The Dharma at Big Sur/My Father Knew Charles Ives

ASIN: B000004CVU
Release Date: 1992-10-13

Tracks:

String Quartet ('Musica celestis'): I Flowing
String Quartet ('Musica celestis'): II 'Musica celestis' - Adagio
String Quartet ('Musica celestis'): III Scherzo - Trio semplice - Scherzo
String Quartet ('Musica celestis'): IV Quasi una danza
Symphony In Waves: I Continuous Wave
Symphony In Waves: II Scherzo
Symphony In Waves: III Still Movement
Symphony In Waves: IV Intermezzo
Symphony In Waves: V Finale

Customer Reviews:

Aaron Jay Kernis: Music to Hear.......2006-11-27

Aaron Jay Kernis (born 1960) has not become a household name in classical music circles for some reason. Perhaps he has not captured a gig that brings attention to his work or related his compositions to timely literature or events that stir the interest of the critics and crowds. Whatever the reason, Kernis is a very astute composer whose drive seems not so much that of 'startle and amaze' effect as one of creating richly colored pieces that hold reverence for the past and embrace the history of music of the 20th century: in time his name will rise.

This very fine CD contains two aspects of Kernis' gift for colorful instrumental writing. The 'Symphony in Waves' is nothing if not stunningly beautiful. Opening with barely audible moments that suggest Debussy's 'La Mer' the work unfolds with languorous, spreading and pulsing sheets of string sounds that serve as ground for delicate almost percussive and pianistic higher string writing. The work is not repetitive and seems to pass into the atmosphere instead of ending. Gerard Schwarz conducts the New York Chamber Symphony of the 92nd Street Y in a seamless performance.

For this listener the reason to purchase this CD is the String Quartet No. 1 as played by the Lark Quartet. The piece is so rich in color palette that it seems as though the performance is by a full string orchestra rather than simply by four players. Kernis has a manner of writing for cello and viola that provides great contrast for he ongoing conversations between the first and second violins. The quartet is subtitled 'musica celestis' for good reason as the various movements seem to reference heavenly music, especially the quotations from the works of Hildegard von Bingen, one of the finest of Medieval composers. How he achieves this is probably best stated by the composer himself: "I feel a greater kinship with music of past centuries than with that of our century, but at the same time feel vehemently that we cannot return to the past musically (as some neo-romantics and neo-modernists have tried to do) but must carry the present, past and future with us at all times."

For those unfamiliar with this important composer this CD is probably as fine a starting point as any. The music is endlessly interesting and the performances are immaculate. Grady Harp, November 06

brilliant.......2005-07-04

This is one of the most wonderful recordings I own -- unfortunately it's out of print, so do yourself a favor if it's showing up for an affordable used price here on Amazon. The music here is inherently listenable; this is something to admire in an era of squeaking, squawking classical music that is meant to "challenge" more than it's ever meant to "delight." This doesn't mean that Kernis' music is trite or simplistic. There is real beauty here, with sweeping gorgeous melodies in both works. As for "Symphony in Waves," its cleverness is its claim to whatever fame it has, but the truth is that it's bursting with creative vibrancy and energy. It's an early work by Kernis, and only a sign of amazing things to come.

Kernis' two masterpieces beautifully performed.......2001-02-03

First and foremost, the performers must be given due credit for playing these extremely challenging works with such brilliance and virtuosity! This music is simply enthralling: while the minimalistic style and novel orchestration fascinate the listener, the lyrical melodies are instantly endearing. Kernis is a first-rate genius. Upon careful listening, you will discover quotes from popular music hidden in both the string quartet and Symphony in Waves.

Masterful use of the Orchestra.......2000-01-03

The Symphony in Waves is one of the most sensuously orchestrated works of the last two decades, reminding one of early John Adams, although the musical language is different. Rautavaara with an American sound is the way I'd describe it. I have listened to this CD 5 times and even given it to friends. This is not music to Break New Grounds, but manages to have a distinctive personal sound, something to admire in an era of sound-alike composers.

Average customer rating:

I love this CD

David Tanenbaum

Manufacturer: New Albion Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000R4J
Release Date: 1997-11-18

Tracks:

'Nagoya Guitars'
'3 Preludes': Prelude No. 1
'3 Preludes': Prelude No. 2
'3 Preludes': Prelude No. 3
'Partita': Ciacona
'Partita': Echo
'Partita': Passacaglia
'Partita': Toccata
Barabas
Waltz For Guitar
'Sonata No. 2': Allegretto
'Sonata No. 2': Dance and Jahla
'Sonata No. 1': Adagio
'Sonata No. 1': Allegro
'Sonata No. 1': Presto
'Sonata No. 1': Andante

Customer Reviews:

I love this CD.......2001-08-25

This is the best CD of modern 20th century guitar works that I have heard in a long time. The Kernis simply can't be described in words, and the Reich will appeal to just about anybody. Note to Frank Zappa fans, however: THIS IS NOT THE CD YOU ARE LOOKING FOR! Yes, there is a piece written by Zappa on this CD, but it is a super short (under a minute) serial piece that he wrote when he was 18, and according to the liner notes, he doesn't hold it in high regard. Unless you a completist, this Zappa will dissapoint. But if you like modern classical guitar, this CD is A++ must buy.

Aaron Jay Kernis: 100 Greatest Dance Hits

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Aaron Jay Kernis: 100 Greatest Dance Hits

Manufacturer: Black Box Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000MTEB9K
Release Date: 2007-04-10

Tracks:

I. Before
II. Play Before Sleep
III. Lullaby
IV. Lights Before Sleep
V. Before Sleep And Dreams
Superstare Etude #1
Air
I. Introduction
II. Salsa Pasada
III. Mor Easy Listening Slow Dance Ballad
IV. Dance Party On The Disco Motorboat
Meditation

Average customer rating:

"Come with me, under my coat"
Exceptional tone and quality
Exceptional tone and quality
Exceptional tone and quality

Voices 1900/2000

Manufacturer: Delos Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Make His Praise Glorious
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Blue Wheat
Morten Lauridsen: Nocturnes

ASIN: B00005B16W
Release Date: 2001-04-03

Tracks:

Song For Athene (Alleluia)
Reggel (Morning)
Dieu! Qu'il La Fait Bon Regarder
La Nuit En Mer
Bois Meurtri...
Ite Missa Est
Alleluia
Simple Gifts
How The Soul Speaks To God
Winds Of May
O Love, Be Fed With Apples While You May
The Coolin (The Fair Haired One)
Earth Seen From Above
Other Worlds Revealed
Hark, I Hear The Harps Eternal
Shenandoah - Steven Rogino
All The Things You Are
Make Our Garden Grow

Customer Reviews:

"Come with me, under my coat".......2002-12-31

"And we will drink our fill..."

These are the first two strophes of Samuel Barber's "The Coolin," one of the three songs in his choral song cycle "Reincarnations." A friend recommended that I listen to this song, someone who had fond memories of singing it but who had yet to hear a satisfactory recording of the work. Given the enthusiasm, even exuberence, that she displayed regarding the singing, I thought it important enough - and only fair - that I seek out the best possible performance of the work. So I ended up acquiring three CD's, all containing "The Coolin" (and two containing the full set of "Reincarnations" songs). Having listened now to all three, it is easy for me to state that this CD contains the hands-down winner. And to further add that the other two Barber songs in the cycle really don't measure up to this one, so the absence of them on this release is no great loss to me.

Set to a love poem by the early-20th century Irish poet James Stephens, "coolin" is a lock of hair (or "curleen") that grows on a young girl's neck, an expression seemingly equivalent to "sweetheart." Stephens goes on to say, "I sought to represent that state which is almost entirely a condition of dream wherein the passion of love has almost overreached itself and is sinking to a motionless languor." Barber's beautiful setting of the poem reflects that aim totally, and the singing of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra Chorus captures the passionate languor perfectly.

The album - billed as "a choral journey through the twentieth century" and meant to spotlight the excellence of the chorus - is interesting both in terms of what it includes and what it overlooks, in terms of choral classics. The opening track contains a truly fine performance of John Tavener's "Song for Athene" (made famous as the recessional at Princess Diana's funeral although written some years earlier upon the death of a friend of Tavener). If you want a fine performance of this particular Tavener work but are not sure whether you want an album full of his works, look no further.

There are three songs in French (by Debussy, Badings - actually a Dutchman - and Poulenc). For me, the Badings song ("La nuit en Mer," from his "Three Breton Songs" of 1948) is one of the true "sleepers" in this album, a work I'd hardly expect to run across under normal circumstances and a beautful one at that.

Needless to say, there is a lot of "Americana" here as well, including an arrangement of Aaron Copland's harmonization of the Shaker hymn "Simple Gifts" for chorus and piano, an Alice Parker setting of "Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal" and a simply drop-dead-gorgeous setting of "Shenandoah" by J. Erb (no first name provided in the notes). Two fine inclusions are a wonderful setting of Jerome Kern's "All the Things You Are" (breathtaking in its harmonic daring) and the evergreen "Make Our Garden Grow" from Bernstein's "Candide" (the album "closer").

In addition to the Tavener work, the century's end is well-represented by Allen Jay Kernis ("How the Soul Speaks to God"), Morten Lauridsen ("O Love, Be Fed With Apples While You May" from his "Mid-Winter Songs") and Conrad Susa ("Winds of May" from his "Six Joyce Songs").

This is an eclectic collection, as individual for what it does NOT include as for what it does. For example, there is not a single song by Charles Ives (who wrote well over 150 of them, many of them beautiful), or by William Schuman (another prolific songwriter). England is represented only by Tavener, and therefore there are none of the fine songs written by John Rutter and Benjamin Britten. And there is nothing to represent 20th-century Scandanavia. (For example, though Einojuhani Rautavaara is mentioned in the booklet notes and has written many fine songs, none are included here.) Nevertheless, I hardly think that choral fans will be disappointed with the selection provided (chosen, I would guess, by both the chorus itself and by its conductor, Vance George).

Vance George certainly has the proper bona fides (mentoring under both Robert Shaw and Margaret Hillis, herself a Shaw acolyte), and he has developed the San Francisco Symphony Chorus to an enviable level (as can be demonstrated by the fine support they provide for a number of orchestral/choral works conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas). Clearly, this chorus must number among the top half-dozen currently supporting major orchestras in the U.S.

The recorded sound quality is mostly excellent, although a few of the tracks don't seem to be representative of the usual Delos mastery of capturing sound in difficult acoustical environments. But, then, Davies Hall (the home of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra) is quite well-known for its tricky acoustics.

The booklet notes - by Laura Stanfield Prichard - are good for what they are. The organization of the notes follows neither the strict chronology of the works nor the actual playing order. But the notes do a reasonable job of describing the works themselves, save for any mention whatsoever of Jerome Kern or of the arranger who provided the drop-dead-gorgeous setting of "All the Things You Are."

But, despite these nitpicking minor criticisms of mine, if you are - like me - a choral junkie, you'll want this album in your collecction. For all the good reasons I've highlighted above. And most especially for Sam Barber's "The Coolin."

Bob Zeidler

Exceptional tone and quality.......2001-06-05

Symphony choruses don't often get to shine outside the spotlight of the orchestras they're associated with, but this collection shows off the high level of quality that the SF Symphony Chorus brings to all their performances. I've never heard a better recording of the Alleluia, which many choruses attempt -- but few can pull off.

Exceptional tone and quality.......2001-06-05

Aaron Jay Kernis: Air; Double Concerto; Lament & Prayer

Average customer rating:

Takes us a few steps further than the Barber Violin Concerto.
Deeply Moving "Lament and Prayer" for WWII Victims
A bit dull really
I love this CD

Aaron Jay Kernis: Air; Double Concerto; Lament & Prayer

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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Kernis: Chamber Music
Kernis: Symphony In Waves/Musica Celestis

ASIN: B00000IIXU
Release Date: 1999-04-13

Tracks:

Air For Violin
Double Concerto For Violin & Guitar: I. Fast & Jazzy
Double Concerto For Violin & Guitar: II. Adagio molto
Double Concerto For Violin & Guitar: III. Presto, sempre ritmico
Lament and Prayer: Adagio (Lament)
Lament and Prayer: Tranquillo (Prayer)

Customer Reviews:

Takes us a few steps further than the Barber Violin Concerto........2006-10-18

The Kernis Double Concerto is an original. The style is not at all like that in Mr.Kernis' Colored Field (a concerto for English horn). Colored Field, at times, has a cartoonish quality reminiscent of the music of Carl Stalling, and at other times, has a crag-like, dignified quality of some of the music of Aaron Copland.

The Kernis Double Concerto has a busy, frantic quality. The Double Concerto appears grounded in tonality, but seems to have a bit of Alban Berg sprinkled in it, which adds sonic spice. Moreover, the Double Concerto has an continual alleatory quality to it, thick meandering sounds in the background, somewhat reminiscent of Ives. What is especially surprising in the Double Concerto are the occasional springy, spongey episodes sounding like a college marching band (or 1940s swing band). I had always liked the third movement of the Barber Violin Concerto, with its frantic, busy energy. The Kernis Double Concerto is somewhat similar to Barber Violin Concerto in that both pieces are fast and "happy," but Kernis takes it a few steps further, by adding the Alban Bergesque aleatory quality, and by adding the amusing springy college marching band episodes.

FIVE STARS to the Kernis Double Concerto. Also, FIVE STARS to Kernis' Colored Field with English horn, as recorded by the San Francisco Symphony.

Deeply Moving "Lament and Prayer" for WWII Victims.......2001-03-26

I like "Lament and Prayer" best in this CD. It is a very serious, beautiful piece, which is dedicated "in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the end of WWII and Holocaust". Pamela Frank, whom this piece was commissioned for, is playing as if praying. The Minnesota Orchestra, especially strings, lead by David Zinman responded very well. In the final minutes, her violin and the orchestra finish in a calm, timeless melody. I was so moved when I actually listened to this piece, played by Pamela Frank, in a concert hall. Air for Violin is also beautiful and serene, but it is a simpler piece. Double Concerto for Violin and Guitar is an interesting piece. The jazz-like first and third movements contrast with the second movement, partly dissonant but richly melodious. Violin and guitar is a very intriguing combination. This Pulitzer prize-winning CD contains masterpieces by Aaron Jay Kernis (b. 1960).

A bit dull really.......2000-03-30

The air for violin is incredibly good but the rest I found rather dull to be honest.

I love this CD.......1999-09-28

Wow. Kudos, as always, to Mr. Bell for his superb and heartrending recording of "Air" for violin and orchestra. Those eleven minutes of heaven alone are worth the price of the CD. It's hard to breathe after listening to such great music played by such a great violinist. Isbin and Lin are great together in their jazzy, finger-snapping double concerto. I was a little wary of it when I read the description of tracks 2-4, but it's a fun piece. Kudos also to Pamela Frank for a soulful and searing rendition of Lamentation and Prayer. Beautiful to hear the orchestra and soloist mourn and meditate in unison. This CD is a keeper.

Aaron Jay Kernis: Second Symphony, Musica Celestis, Invisible Mosaic III

Average customer rating:

Music of strong emotional and intellectual content
Kernis blends modern music with more melodic structures

Aaron Jay Kernis: Second Symphony, Musica Celestis, Invisible Mosaic III

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Aaron Jay Kernis: Colored Field/Still Movement With Hymn
Second Symphony/Musica Celestis

ASIN: B0000041ED
Release Date: 1997-01-28

Tracks:

Second Symphony: I. Alarm
Second Symphony: II. Air-Ground
Second Symphony: III. Barricade
Musica Celestis, For String Orchestra
Invisible Mosaic III

Customer Reviews:

Music of strong emotional and intellectual content.......1999-10-14

Aaron Jay Kernis writes strong music. By that I mean that his works are written with a firm sense of form and a sure grasp of harmony and color. I dislike using the word accessible, since that evokes the idea of dumbing down, pandering to the lowest common denominator. Kernis's music is accessible in a far more profound sense; it rewards the listener willing to pay attention with a complete musical experience. There are beautiful sounds, but there is also real emotional power, and perhaps above all, the music makes sense. It has harmonic interest and a sense of direction. This composer has been a real find for me.

Kernis blends modern music with more melodic structures.......1998-10-08

This is another fine example of why I love this composer so much. His music is very modern, yet he holds on to melodies and chordal structures to prevent it from sounding "way out there". The Second Symphony is fiery and has moments of theatrical violence that put your shoulders into your ears, yet it is very musical and accessible to a large listening audience.

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