With 31 days in the month and nearly every one spent recording new classical music, March kept the PARMA production team in constant motion. Read on to see how the team navigated sessions with several contemporary composers between the United States and Europe this month.
John Bilotta and Matouš Zukal at Studio Martínek
Spring recording sessions began at PARMA’s Studio Martínek in Prague, where composer John G. Bilotta connected with PARMA to record The Blue Guitar, a piece inspired by poet Wallace Stevens’ extended meditation on the nature of art, performance, and imagination. Ironically, Bilotta’s piece is set for piano, performed in this new recording by the celebrated Czech pianist Matouš Zukal.
“It was one of the most exciting and rewarding sessions I have had the privilege to participate in,” said Bilotta.
“I was overwhelmed by the artistic integrity and sheer athleticism of Zukal’s performance. It was an honor to be able to work with such an extraordinary pianist on this piece.”
Music and Poetry with Ivar Lunde, Jr.
Recording continued at Studio Martínek with composer Ivar Lunde, Jr., whose chamber work The Soul Wept. Written with poetry by New England poet Lois Sargent, The Soul Wept received its premiere recording by Czech musicians including mezzo-soprano Anna Moriová, pianist Ahmad Hedar, violinist Gabriela Barillová, and cellist Štěpán Drtina.
Featured Recording Opportunity with Radek Baborák
Composers Andrew Lewinter and Robert Patterson recorded new classical music they submitted to PARMA’s recent Featured Recording Opportunity with hornist Radek Baborák at Studio Martínek.
Their works, spanning music for horn, violin, cello, and piano, will be released together on a full album of classical chamber music for horn on PARMA’s GRAMMY®-winning Navona Records label.
See more from our previous sessions with Baborák.
Fred Broer and Joseph Havlat
Sessions at Studio Martínek concluded with composer Fred Broer, who began recording several works to be featured on his upcoming album of solo piano music with Navona Records, with which he has released two previous recordings: a self-titled album and a featured work on the compilation album TURBULENT SKY.
Broer’s new compositions, spanning “some serious and some sarcastic” music for piano, American folk songs, and more, were performed and recorded by pianist Joseph Havlat.
“Joseph really did an outstanding job with the music,” said Broer.
“I was very pleased with his playing. Quite outstanding and impressive.”
Ferdinando DeSena and Juventas New Music Ensemble
In the United States, members of PARMA’s North America team returned to the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport MA to record new works by longtime PARMA artist Ferdinando DeSena.
His Apparition for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano, was recorded by Boston’s Juventas New Music Ensemble, and will be released on their forthcoming multi-composer chamber music album on Navona Records.
Conductor Stanislav Vavřínek, Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra | credit: Maxim Bajza
Orchestral Recording with Richard E Brown and Marilyn Bliss
March recording sessions concluded back in the Czech Republic at Vesmír Concert Hall, where the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra recorded several works by PARMA artists Richard E Brown and Marilyn Bliss.
Brown’s Arthur: King! is a ballet in one act written in 1979 and originally premiered in 1981 by Austin Ballet Theatre in Austin TX. It is based on the King Arthur legend and features a quotation of the Holy Grail Leitmotif from Wagner’s final music drama, Parsifal. In this ballet, it is associated with Lancelot and his Grail Quest.
Bree Nichols joined the team shortly after, lending her rich soprano voice to Bliss’ Huatzu Hill for orchestra. The piece is a lyrical setting of four poems by Wang Wei, an 8th-century Tang Dynasty Chinese poet, as translated into English by G.W. Robinson.
“It was a really intense session, since it’s a difficult piece as far as ensemble coordination,” said Bliss.
“The performers were stellar and I think that it will be a fine recording.”