Christopher Rouse - Seeing; Kabir Padavali (David Alan Miller)

Information

Composer: Christopher Rouse

1. Seeing
2. Kabir Padavali: 1. Bijak, shabda 69
3. Kabir Padavali: 2. Tagore 50
4. Kabir Padavali: 3. Bijak, shabda 55
5. Kabir Padavali: 4. Bijak, shabda 4
6. Kabir Padavali: 5. Tagore 92
7. Kabir Padavali: 6. Tagore 97

Orion Weiss, piano (1)
Talise Trevigne, soprano (2-7)

Albany Symphony
David Alan Miller, conductor

Date: 2015
Label: Naxos
https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.559799

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Review

Christopher Rouse is often regarded as an eclectic composer because he has employed multiple styles, musical references, and extended techniques in his music, though they are always used to express underlying emotions and ideas. Seeing (1998) is Rouse's free-form piano concerto, inspired by the Piano Concerto in A minor of Robert Schumann and the psychedelic song "Seeing" by Moby Grape guitarist Skip Spence. The collisions of quotations and original material result in a dizzying, hallucinatory study of the conflicts between sanity and mental illness (both Schumann and Spence were institutionalized for psychosis), and the nature of visionary creativity. Pianist Orion Weiss is the soloist, backed by David Alan Miller and the Albany Symphony, and they play with incredible precision and focused energy, despite the chaotic and frenetic impression the score makes. Balanced against this turbulent work is Rouse's collection of songs for soprano and orchestra, Kabir Padavali (1998), a setting of six poems by the Indian poet Kabir. In contrast with Seeing, the songs are, for the most part, poignantly lyrical and contemplative, reflecting on the topics of music, love, and spirituality that Kabir's poetry explores. Soprano Talise Trevigne displays a wide range of emotions, from hushed wonder to religious rapture, and the orchestra gives her atmospheric and powerful accompaniment. These world premiere recordings offer polished performances and full orchestral sound, making this a great CD to introduce Rouse's thought-provoking music to new listeners. Highly recommended.

-- Blair Sanderson, AllMusic

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Christopher Rouse (February 15, 1949 – September 21, 2019) was an American neoromantic composer. Rouse studied with Richard Hoffmann at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, graduating in 1971. He later completed graduate degrees under Karel Husa at Cornell University in 1977. In between, Rouse studied privately with George Crumb. Though he has written for various ensembles, Rouse was primarily known for his orchestral compositions, including a Requiem, eleven concertos, and four symphonies. He was the composer-in-residence for the New York Philharmonic from 2012 to 2015.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Rouse_(composer)
http://www.christopherrouse.com/

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David Alan Miller (born 1961) is an American conductor. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and studied orchestral conducting at The Juilliard School. Miller was Music Director of the New York Youth Symphony (1982-88), then Assistant Conductor and Associate Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (1987-92). He has been musical director of the Albany Symphony Orchestra (New York) since 1992. Under his leadership, the ASO has frequently premiered American modern classical music, and has released more than 25 discs. Miller received a Grammy Award in January, 2014.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Alan_Miller

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