Persichetti Piano CD Released by Starkland

This new Starkland CD of piano works by Vincent Persichetti offers the only available recordings personally approved by the composer of his substantial Tenth and Eleventh Piano Sonatas. Performed by Persichetti specialist Ellen Burmeister, this long out-of-print reissue also presents the only current recording of the composer’s simple but charming Serenade No. 7.

It's available at Amazon, CD Baby, iTunes, and more.

Reviews of the original 1985 release praised the music, performance, and sound:

“Ellen Burmeister… exhibits a rich understanding of the composer’s mode of expression… The recorded sound is superb.”
– American Music

“A significant record… A welcome addition to the recorded catalogue of an important composer.”
– Audience

“Ellen Burmeister… plays with a warmth and delicacy… The superb recorded sound… offers a flattering showcase.”
– Fanfare

Persichetti was an ardent fan of the “wonderful pianist” Ellen Burmeister, writing, “I am pleased not only for her talents but also by her sound musicianship and dedication.” Upon hearing the original master tape, Persichetti sent an enthusiastic note of approval to producer Tom Steenland, noting that Burmeister “has done a fine job.”

The new CD’s booklet reissues the full LP notes on the music from both Persichetti and Burmeister.



Persichetti was one of the major figures in American music of the 20th century, both as a teacher and a composer. Among some 100 commissions were those from the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the St. Louis and Louisville Symphony Orchestras, Martha Graham Company, and the American Guild of Organists.

During his nearly four decades teaching at Juilliard, his students included Philip Glass, Thelonious Monk, Peter Schickele (P.D.Q. Bach), and Einojuhani Rautavaara.

Visit Starkland.

Phillip Bimstein's Red Rock Rondo Wins Regional Emmys

The National Academy of Recording Arts and Science's Rocky Mountain Chapter recently gave the Red Rock Rondo music special two Emmy Awards: Best Arts Entertainment Program and Best Musical Composition.

Made by the Western Folklife Center in cooperation with KUED-TV and produced by Hal Cannon and Taki Telonidis, the hour-long film was shot in and around majestic Zion National Park.

The award-winning music was composed by Phillip Bimstein with arrangements by Red Rock Rondo.



Bimstein originally wrote his Zion Canyon Song Cycle on a grant from the nationwide Continental Harmony commissioning program of the American Composers Forum. The music is performed by an all-star ensemble on a lively assortment of guitars, violins, oboe, English horn, mandolin, banjo, mandocello, harmonica, button accordion, jaw harp, upright bass and vocals.

A CD is now available.

Starkland has released two Bimstein CDs: Garland Hirschi's Cows and Larkin Gifford's Harmonica.

Read more about Bimstein.

Tod Dockstader: Apocalypse CD at iTunes, etc.

For the first time, Tod Dockstader's Apocalypse CD is now digitally available at iTunes, Amazon, eMusic, etc.



Some fine reviews have appeared:

The Wire:
“The obsessive care with which Starkland have compiled these extraordinary recordings should ensure that Dockstader will be remembered as the innovative, visionary figure he undoubtedly was.”

Fanfare:
“Among the most impressive of electronic-music CDs anywhere... [Luna Park] is one of the finest works of electronic music I’ve ever heard.”

Musicworks:
“Brilliant, compelling listening experiences... vital and fascinating... inventive and powerful.”

Dockstader's Quatermass CD has also recently gone digital.

Read more about Dockstader's Apocalypse CD.