Steven Smith & Richmond Symphony Mason Bates & Ralph Vaughan Williams Children Of Adam & Dona Nobis Pacem HDCD

Groundbreaking New Music From Mason Bates & The Richmond Symphony On HDCD!
Reference Recordings is proud to present a World Première recording of MASON BATES: Children of Adam, songs of creation - Commissioned by the Richmond Symphony; coupled with RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Dona nobis pacem. These pieces both draw inspiration from Walt Whitman's poetry and this release celebrates his bicentennial (born 1819).
Mason Bates' composition Children of Adam is a celebration of creation, based on poetry from American poets to sacred texts. The title comes from a poem by Walt Whitman, which appears again and again throughout the work in the form of short "fanfare intermezzi". Also inspired by Walt Whitman is Ralph Vaughan Williams' Dona nobis pacem. This first recording of the commissioned work Children of Adam was made with the Richmond Symphony and the Richmond Symphony Chorus under the direction of Steven Smith. It was recorded live at the Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center in Richmond by the Soundmirror team.
Mason Bates is composer-in-residence at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and was named Composer of the Year by Musical America in 2018. His opera The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs received a GRAMMY® for "Best Opera Recording". Bates also performs as a DJ, promotes his classical/club project Mercury Soul and composes film scores, including for Gus Van Sant's The Sea of Trees with Matthew McConaughey and Naomi Watts.
Children of Adam is a collection of exuberant celebrations of creation, from American poets to sacred and Native American texts. The title comes from a Whitman poem that appears throughout the work in the form of brief "fanfare intermezzos." Between these choral fanfares, each movement of the work offers a different perspective on creation.
These works are brilliantly performed by the Richmond Symphony conducted by Steven Smith, and the Richmond Symphony Chorus, Erin R. Freeman, Director. Solo performers on the Vaughan Williams are Michelle Areyzaga, soprano, and Kevin Deas, bass-baritone. Recorded live at the Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center, Richmond Virginia; engineered by Ed Thompson; and produced by Ed Thompson, Victor and Marina A. Ledin.
Recently named the most-performed composer of his generation and the 2018 Composer of the Year by Musical America, Mason Bates serves as the first composer-in-residence of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Championed by renowned conductors such as Riccardo Muti, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Leonard Slatkin, his symphonic work has received widespread acceptance for its unique integration of electronic sounds, and his opera The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, won a GRAMMY® Award for Best Opera Recording".
The Richmond Symphony, conducted by Steven Smith, is the largest performing arts organization in Central Virginia. The organization includes an orchestra of more than 70 professional musicians, the 150-voice Richmond Symphony Chorus and more than 260 students in the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra programs. The Symphony was recently named one of 21 American orchestras selected as a leader in orchestra innovation by the League of American Orchestras through its Futures Fund Initiative.
FRESH! is part of Reference Recordings mission to encourage new artists and give them a strong platform for promotion and sales nationally and internationally.
"...a veritable feast for the ears" - Ron Schepper, Textura
"Add this CD to your shortlist to purchase! You won't regret it. The performances are excellent, spirited and the sound is among the best I've heard on any recent recording. I'm sure that this is, in part, due to the excellent acoustics in the old Loews State theater, but I must also tip my hat to producer/recording engineer Ed Thompson, mastering engineer Mark Donahue and all the folks at Soundmirror for another job well done. Highly recommended." - The Audiophile Voice

Features:

• HDCD
• World Premiere Recording
• Recorded live at the Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center, Richmond, Virginia
• Engineered by Ed Thompson
• Total time: 61:17
• 28-page booklet
• Made in USA
  

Musicians:

• Richmond Symphony
• Steven Smith, conductor
• Michelle Areyzaga, soprano
• Kevin Deas, bass-baritone
• Richmond Symphony Chorus
• Erin R. Freeman, director

Selections:

Mason Bates (1977-)
Children Of Adam
1. I. "From Pent-Up Aching Rivers" From Children Of Adam, Walt Whitman
2. II. Psalms 144 & 128
3. III. "I Sing The Body Electric" From Children Of Adam, Walt Whitman
4. IV. Tolepe Menenak ("Turtle Island", From The Algonquian), Mataponi Indians Of Virginia, As Told By Sharon Sun Eagle, Dictated By Hope Armstrong Erb
5. V. "Prayers Of Steel" & "Smoke And Steel", Carl Sandburg
6. VI. From The Book Of Genesis
7. VII. From "To The Garden, The World" From Children Of Adam, Walt Whitman
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Dona Nobis Pacem
8. I. Agnus Dei
9. II. Beat! Beat! Drums! Walt Whitman
10. III. Reconciliation, Walt Whitman
11. IV. Dirge For Two Veterans, Walt Whitman
12. V. The Angel Of Death, John Bright
13. VI. 'O Man Greatly Beloved