Composer(s): Kernis, Aaron Jay
Conductor(s): Miller, David Alan
Label: Naxos
Series: American Classics
Genre: Chamber Music; Concerto; Instrumental
Period: Contemporary
Catalogue No: 8.559711
Barcode: 636943971123
Release Date: 04/2015

KERNIS, A.J.: 3 Flavors / 2 Movements (with Bells) / Ballad(e) out of the Blue(s), "Superstar Etude No. 3" (Russo, Ehnes, Albany Symphony, Miller)

Winner of the coveted 2002 Grawemeyer Award and one of the youngest composers ever to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize, Aaron Jay Kernis is among the most distinguished musical figures of his generation. Conceived as a concerto for toy piano and orchestra, and with touches of Indonesian gamelan, French lyricism and jazz, Three Flavors appears here in its final version, adapted by soloist and long-term collaborator Andrew Russo. Commissioned for renowned violinist James Ehnes, the introspective Two Movements (with Bells) is a memorial to the composer’s father with echoes of blues singing and improvisatory impetuousness, while the virtuoso Superstar Etude No. 3 is his homage to Gershwin and the blues.

Tracklist

Kernis, Aaron Jay
Russo, Andrew (piano)
Albany Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra)
Miller, David Alan (Conductor)
1No. 1. Ostinato06:24
Russo, Andrew (piano)
Albany Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra)
Miller, David Alan (Conductor)
2No. 2. Lullaby - Barcarolle10:08
Russo, Andrew (piano)
Albany Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra)
Miller, David Alan (Conductor)
3No. 3. Blue Whirl10:20
Russo, Andrew (piano)
Albany Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra)
Miller, David Alan (Conductor)
Ehnes, James (violin)
Russo, Andrew (piano)
4I. Poco adagio10:04
Ehnes, James (violin)
Russo, Andrew (piano)
5II. A Song for My Father07:38
Ehnes, James (violin)
Russo, Andrew (piano)
Russo, Andrew (piano)
6Ballad(e) out of the Blue(s), "Superstar Etude No. 3"09:16
Russo, Andrew (piano)

Total Playing Time: 53:50