May 27, 2022 New Releases from Navona Records

This New Music Friday, Navona Records presents a variety of chamber, orchestral, and solo instrumental albums that thoughtfully push the boundaries of their instruments and orchestrations in compositions both contemporary and classic.

Dive in and discover new music from: Jacob E. Goodman, Gary D. Belshaw, Andrew Lewinter, Thomas Mann Jr., Elliott Miles McKinley, Eleanor Alberga, Trio Casals, Laudon Schuett, Georges Raillard, David William Ross, Michael Murray, Minju Choi Witte, Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra, and Eric Biddington.

On FIGMENTS VOL. 3, the imaginations of six composers are brought to life in a dynamic breadth of emotional performances, from soothing to exhilarating and natural to mythical. Universal melodies and rhythms find their form, short sketches evoke seasonal qualities, and fantasies float into reality in this collection.

DEDICATIONS: NEW WORKS FOR THE LUTE from early music specialist and lutenist Laudon Schuett celebrates the history of the lute while contributing fresh music to the instrument’s centuries-old repertoire. Schuett’s performances include contrapuntal fantasies, dances, and grounds, giving listeners the chance to more fully understand the instrument’s history and sheer versatility.

On FADING SOUNDS, composer Georges Raillard turns a creative eye towards the simple wonders of the world with a deep appreciation for the fleetingness of each moment. The compositions are dexterously played by guitarist David William Ross, whose gentle confidence on the instrument lets Raillard’s musical ideas ring out with clarity and precision.

Composer Michael Murray’s album PASSAGES brings the words of iconic 19th and 20th century poets to life through stirring music for celebrated soprano Genevieve Fulks and instruments. Through familiar themes and time-honored poetry, Murray invites listeners to engage with, and even be challenged by, this collection of thoughtful compositions.

LAST NOTES traces the musical footprint of composer Eric Biddington’s compositional history through revived works of the past. Some written nearly 30 years ago, the unearthed gems featured on this album speak in a fresh tone, effusing elegance and thoughtfulness across varied orchestrations and moods.

On FALL AND DECLINE from Navona Records, composer Gregory Brown chronicles the heights to which humanity can soar—but also the depths to which it may come crashing down. Scored for the solo voices of virtuosic vocal sextet Variant 6 and electronics, the sounds range from typical choral textures to angular and aggressive electronic soundscapes.