Journal
- Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Composer Donnacha Dennehy, whose piece Land of Winter, performed by Alarm Will Sound and conductor Alan Pierson, was released earlier this month on Nonesuch, shares some insight on the work, which explores the subtleties of Ireland’s seasons via twelve connected sections representing the months of the year, in a new essay. "It is the varying quality of light that truly demarcates the seasons," he says, "from the shorter days of grey or piercing light in the winter to the warmer but mercurial light of summer days that at solstice stretch almost to midnight. I like this play between light and time, and it is the major inspiration behind the piece."
Journal Topics: Artist Essays, Artist News
- Thursday, January 16, 2020
Composer Caroline Shaw’s Orange, performed by Attacca Quartet, has been shortlisted for a BBC Music Magazine Award for Chamber. A jury of experts selected the nominees from the best of the classical recordings reviewed in the magazine in 2019. Winners will be chosen by public vote, which has begun, and announced at a ceremony in London on April 22. "Unlike much contemporary music, Shaw's compositions exemplify what Simon Rattle long ago said about John Adams's essence—that there's always the sense of 'moving in space,'" said the five-star BBC Music Magazine album review. "The sophistication and dynamic refinement of the Attacca Quartet is reflected in a full, truthful recording."
Journal Topics: Artist NewsWednesday, January 15, 2020Pat Metheny has released “You Are,” a new track from his forthcoming album, From This Place, due February 21 on Nonesuch; it can be heard here. This follows the release of the album tracks “America Undefined” and "You Are." All three songs can be downloaded now with pre-orders of From This Place on vinyl and CD in the Pat Metheny Store and Nonesuch Store, and are available to stream.
Journal Topics: Album Release, Artist NewsMonday, January 13, 2020k.d. lang will perform in the Fire Fight Australia concert at ANZ Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday, February 16, to benefit Australian bushfire relief. She will perform two songs, including Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah." Also performing in the nine-plus-hour event hosted by Celeste Barber are Queen + Adam Lambert, Alice Cooper, and a score of Australian musicians, including Olivia Newton-John, with more to be announced.
Journal Topics: Artist News, On TourFriday, January 10, 2020Yola brings Walk Through Fire tour to DC, Boston, Toronto … John Adams’s Scheherazade.2 is performed by Oregon Symphony, violinist Leila Josefowicz … Emmylou Harris joins Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle for The Lantern Tour II in Nashville … Gabriel Kahane performs with Louisville Orchestra … Mandy Patinkin is in Cleveland … Joshua Redman plays Brussels Jazz Festival …
Journal Topics: On Tour, Weekend EventsThursday, January 9, 2020Yola performed a Billboard Live session of songs from her multiple Grammy-nominated album Walk Through Fire, answers fan questions, and shares a secret to overcoming adversity: Use what she calls "life scissors" to cut out the toxic so-and-sos "and funnel all that energy, much like pruning a rose, to the bud, which is your inspiration, your personal growth, your happiness, all the things that we're living for." You can watch the performance and interview here.
Journal Topics: Artist News, VideoThursday, January 9, 2020Gabriel Kahane's 2018 Nonesuch Records debut album, Book of Travelers, is out now available on limited-edition, translucent orange vinyl. "Exquisitely crafted songs," says Uncut. "Musically fascinating and hauntingly empathetic." "Extraordinary," says the San Francisco Chronicle; "vivid and wholly original." Rolling Stone calls it a "stunning portrait of a singular moment in America." Gabriel Kahane is on tour with the Louisville Orchestra now and heads to Europe in February.
Journal Topics: Album Release, Artist NewsWednesday, January 8, 2020"Ladies and gentlemen: Turn. It. Up," exclaims Meghna Chakrabarti, host of NPR's On Point, ahead of her interview with Yola. "You're gonna wanna hear this music and this woman. And you're going to wish you've had a twelve-month streak like Yola has had ... We needed music like this right now." The two discuss Yola's multiple Grammy-nominated debut album, Walk Through Fire, and that year-long streak following its release—or, as Yola puts it, "a weekly update of life-changing news." You can hear their conversation here.
Journal Topics: Artist News, RadioTuesday, January 7, 2020David Byrne was on Late Night with Seth Meyers to discuss the joys and surprises of performing his American Utopia on Broadway. Meyers says the show "put us in the best mood, which is a very nice gift to give to an audience right now." Byrne also shares some humor advice he received from Jerry Seinfeld. You can watch their conversation here.
Journal Topics: Artist News, Television, VideoTuesday, January 7, 2020Austin City Limits announced the Yola will be the first taping of its Season 46, making her ACL debut on February 4. She'll perform songs from her album Walk Through Fire, which is up for four Grammy Awards this month. The episode will air this fall on PBS. Yola's tour heads to Boston, Brooklyn, DC, and Philadelphia this week and continues through the month, including a performance at the MusiCares Person of the Year concert Grammy weekend. She will perform at Bonnaroo in June.
Journal Topics: Artist News, On Tour, TelevisionMonday, January 6, 2020Composer and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Parker's Suite for Max Brown will be released on January 24 via a newly formed partnership between International Anthem and Nonesuch Records. The album, named for and dedicated to Parker's mother, features nine original songs as well as "Gnarciss," an interpretation of Joe Henderson's "Black Narcissus," and John Coltrane's "After the Rain." Parker plays the majority of the instruments on the record. Pre-order to download the album track "Go Away" now.
Journal Topics: Album Release, Artist NewsSunday, January 5, 2020David Byrne spoke with CBS Sunday Morning contributor Serena Altschul about his life in music both with and after Talking Heads, his Reasons to Be Cheerful project, and the current Broadway production of David Byrne's American Utopia. "I love working with these musicians so much, I love performing, I love what I'm doing, I love the message that we're putting across," he tells Altschul, "that that gives me optimism." You can watch their conversation here.
Journal Topics: Artist News, Television, VideoFriday, January 3, 2020The cast album for the critically acclaimed Broadway production of David Byrne’s American Utopia, with music and lyrics by David Byrne, is now available in a double-vinyl edition, following its digital and CD release late last year. "Dazzling, rapturous and jubilant," exclaims the New York Times of the show. "Gorgeously designed, deliciously fun," says the New Yorker. "Most important, the songs sound great.” David Byrne’s American Utopia is at the intimate Hudson Theatre on Broadway through February 16.
Journal Topics: Album Release, Artist News