Michael Stern & Kansas City Symphony - Leshnoff: Symphony No. 3; Piano Concerto/ Joyce Yang & Stephen Powell

Kansas City Symphony and Joyce Yang record new works by composer Jonathan Leshnoff

Leshnoff's Symphony No. 3 and Piano Concerto

Symphony inspired by World War I letters home; text sung by baritone Stephen Powell

"Dazzling pianism by soloist and the orchestra in the manner of a grand romantic concerto ... Symphony No. 3 ... is a powerful and gripping piece." — Graham Williams, HR Audio

Reference Recordings proudly presents two new works from leading American composer Jonathan Leshnoff. Distinguished by The New York Times as "a leader of contemporary American lyricism," Leshnoff is renowned for his music's striking harmonies, structural complexity, and powerful themes. These world premiere recordings showcase the Kansas City Symphony performing his third symphony, inspired by World War I letters home, with texts sung by baritone Stephen Powell. It is coupled with Leshnoff 's new and exciting piano concerto, dedicated to and performed by pianist Joyce Yang.

The Kansas City Symphony has a vision to transform hearts, minds and its community through the power of symphonic music. Founded in 1982, the Symphony has established itself as a major force in the cultural life of the community. Praised for performances of uncompromising standard, the orchestra is the largest in the region and holds a national reputation under the artistic leadership of Music Director Michael Stern.

This is the eighth album in Reference Recordings' series with Kansas City Symphony. Previous albums are Shakespeare's Tempest; the Grammy Award-winning Britten's Orchestra, an Elgar/Vaughan Williams project, Miraculous Metamorphoses, an all-Saint-Saëns CD featuring the magnificent Organ Symphony, an album of works from contemporary American composer Adam Schoenberg (nominated for two Grammy Awards), and most recently Gustav Holst's The Planets and The Perfect Fool. Two additional projects, featuring one-movement symphonies by Barber, Scriabin and Sibelius; and a live recording of works of Johannes Brahms, have been recorded and slated for future release.

This Hybrid SACD release was recorded in the beautiful and acoustically acclaimed Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts by the team at Soundmirror, whose outstanding orchestral, solo, opera and chamber recordings have received more than 100 Grammy nominations and awards. For over 40 years, Soundmirror has recorded for every major classical record label, including Reference Recordings.

Hybrid SACD contains 5.0 and stereo SACD, and CD stereo.

 

Piano Concerto — Joyce Yang, piano

1. Movement 1: Fast

2 Movement 2: “Neshama,” Slow

3. Movement 3: Scherzo

4. Movement 4: Finale, Fast

Symphony No. 3 inspired by World War I letters home — Stephen Powell, baritone

1. Movement 1: Slow

2. Movement 2: “Gevurah,” with burning intensity

3. Movement 3: Calm

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