Review: "Marga
Richter's epic triple concerto for violin, cello and piano is brilliantly
performed...[She] paints an emotional landscape
upon which the three soloists journey into an ethereal realm....Richter's
rich neo-Romantic language intentionally masks the original
timbre of Monteverdi's archaic theme in a shroud of extended chromaticism.
With each variation the harmonic tension and brilliance increase until
the concerto reaches a fevered pitch of unbridled fury. Richter uses dissonance
as a spice, which is sometimes hot and at other times subtle...A 13-minute
cadenza section follows in which the soloists are treated as chamber musicians,
and each is provided an intensely introspective cadenza. These are preceded
by a Trio Cadenza in which the pianist plays the Bach Prelude
in its original form, except for beginning in the minor mode. The violinist
plays a poignant melody over it, which, intentionally or not, is reminiscent
of the Dies Irae from the Requiem Mass, and the cellist provides
a slow bass line consisting of the Orfeo chorale. The
fusion of these ideas is stunning. With this work, she has proven
that there are still composers who have the skill and the ability to capture
the hearts and minds of the audience." "The
Howard Harris saxophone concerto is a cross-over piece between
jazz and contemporary idioms. His concept is progressive and a littlle
rebellious. Baroque themes are superimposed on the texture of modern jazz
progressions creating the effect of simultaneity that resembles works
by Charles Ives. The saxophone soloists floats above the mix as a casual
commentator. [This piece] makes an excellent companion to Richter's concerto."
Dr. Carolyn Broe, Journal of the IAWM [International
Alliance for Women in Music] Vol. II, No. 2, 2005
Recording: Recorded by Beatta Jankowska-Burzynska
in Katowice, Poland. Audio Post Production, Graphic
Design and Bios: Marnie Hall. DDD. Support:
This recording is made possible by The New York State Council on the Arts,
a state Agency. Music Publishers: Richter:
Carl Fischer. Harris: For information, contact Leonarda. Performing
Rights: ASCAP. Cover Photo: Thornton
Vandersal. CD © 2004, Leonarda Productions, Inc. Made in the U.S.A.
All rights reserved.
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