Song & Dance - 2007

(Not yet available on CD)

Notes

Before the invention of valves, horn players developed an amazing ability to produce almost all the notes of the diatonic scale by using their hand in the bell of the horn to inflect the sound. This and the fact that not all notes could be produced gave a unique character to the way composers treated the instrument. I have always been fascinated by this special sound, and even though Song & Dance uses a modern horn, the style is directly descended from those rococo virtuosi.

The Song movement is a quiet lullaby built on two simple, rising motives. In the coda, the horn sound all the natural harmonic tones from the lowest to the highest while the notes are held by the strings so as to form a wide-spread overtone-series chord. The movements ends with a gently repeated "good night" from the horn and solo violin.

The Dance movement takes its mood and rhythmic energy from children's games and jump-rope rhymes. The overall form is a rondo variant: ABCBA. The A sections are built from tiny motives, only a few bars long. These are repeated in various sequences like colorful beads on a string. Can you hear the seven beads? Eight? The inner sections consist of a stylized ländler which is interrupted by an exuberant diversion in the middle. The string of beads returns with new sequences, and like a necklace, ends as it began.

Song & Dance (13:39)

Mark Robbins (horn); Roupen Shakarian/Philharmonia Northwest

     Lento   –   Vivace

Bon appétit! - 2005

Näckens Vänner NV4

Read the complete liner notes

Sorrow's Turning (13:44)

Karla Flygare, Susan Telford, Rae Terpenning (flutes); Dan Williams, Ove Hanson (oboes); Sean Osborn, Jennifer Nelson, Denise Lum (clarinets); Paul Rafanelli, Michael Gamburg (bassoons); Rodger Burnett, Richard Reed, Peter Moore (horns); Ryan Schultz (tuba); Michael Crusoe (timpani); Matthew Kocmieroski (percussion)

     I

Sketches (10:14)

Don Immel (trombone)

     I   –   II   –   III   –   IV   –   V

Antique Dances (5:35)

Ted Hegvik (C tenor saxophone); Mandy Hegvik (tambourine)

     I   –   II   –   III

Barefoot Dances (6:31)

Paul Cohen, Daniel Gordon (alto saxophones)

     I   –   II   –   III   –   IV   –   V   –   VI

Chorales (6:46)

Scott Granlund, Ted Hegvik, Kimm Stamen (saxophones)

     Vom Himmel hoch   –   O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden

Madrigal (3:56)

Scott Granlund, Ted Hegvik, Mandy Hegvik (saxophones)

     I

On Vacation (19:40)

Al Vizzuti, Charles Butler (trumpets); Mark Robbins (horn); Hamod Abu-eid (trombone); Chris Olka (tuba); Tom Joyce (organ)

     I   –   II   –   III

Download the entire album (66:45)

Bird's Eye View - 2002

Näckens Vänner NV3

Read the complete liner notes

Against the Darkness (16:40)

John Barcellona (flute); Peter Christ (oboe); Eugene Zoro (clarinet); Pat Nelson (bassoon); Chris Leuba (horn); Lisa Bergman (piano); Spencer Hoveskeland (bass); Gordon Rencher (percussion)

     I

Pasatiempos (11:50)

Zartouhi Dombourian-Eby (flute)

     I

Partita (10:54)

Ilkka Talvi (viola)

     I

Divertimento (9:37)

Paul Rafanelli (bassoon)

     I

Flourishes (7:09)

Mark Robbins & Jim Weaver (horns)

     I

Beyond the Clouds (8:57)

Juliet Stratton (harp)

     I

Cradle Tune (3:07)

Susan Telford (flute); Dan Williams (oboe); Sean Osborn (clarinet); Francine Peterson (bassoon); Spencer Hoveskeland (bass); Juliet Stratton (harp)

     I

Heart-Springs (8:00)

David McBride (horn); J. D. Lamb (piano); Eric Banks/Singers

     I

Download the entire album (77:02)

Callithumpian Concert - 1999

Näckens Vänner NV2

Read the complete liner notes

Caricatures for Clarinet & Piano (15:36)

Laura DeLuca (clarinet); Karen Sigers (piano)

     Allegro  –  Andante pastorale  –  Scherzando  –
     Andante affetuoso  –  Animato

Asymmetrical Dances (15:50)

Ilkka Talvi & Marjorie Kransberg Talvi (violins)

     I

Night Music (18:15)

Marjorie Kransberg Talvi & Ingrid Frederickson (violins); Shari Link (viola); Theresa Benshoof (cello)

     Adagio   –   Allegro rustico

Personae for Horn & Piano (17:45)

Peter Moore (horn); Meade Crane (piano)

     Allegro   –   Comodo   –   Mestoso   –   Valz sentimentale

Download the entire album (68:38)

Saxophone Project - 1998

Näckens Vänner NV1

Read the complete liner notes

Sonata for Soprano Saxophone & Piano (16:06)

Paul Cohen (soprano sax); Lois Anderson (piano)

     Andante/animato   –   Adagietto   –   Scherzo

Fables for Alto Saxophone & Piano (18:13) *

Leo Saguiguit (alto sax); Yoko Yamada-Selvaggio (piano)

     Tranquillo/vivace   –   Andante/gazioso
     Moderato/animato

Follies for Baritone Saxophone & Piano (12:25) *

Paul Cohen (baritone sax); Lois Anderson (piano)

     Animato   –   Adagietto   –   Allegretto

Affirmations for Saxophone Quartet (25:16)

The Impuls Quartet

     Andante/allegro   –   Grazioso/cantabile   –   Vivace

* Premier performance

Download the entire album (72:00)