Pianist Gayle Martin achieved international prominence as the sole American laureate of the sixth International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow. The Washington Post called her performance "a tour de force" and praised her artistry for its 'intense passion and deep-seated emotional response to the music." A native of Texas, Gayle was a student of Madame Rosina Lhévinne at The Julliard School, where she was awarded the coveted Josef Lhévinne Price. Gayle's vivid response to literature, sacred writings, ballet and opera inspired this Ravello release To Keep the Dark Away, which pairs the emotional fervor, lyrical eloquence and narrative power of contemporary composer Judith Shatin with those same qualities in composers themselves.

Composed with integrity, mystery, and ambition, the orchestral works of Richter thrive on the emotional and the visceral, conjuring vast and majestic imagery with poetic and dramatic underpinnings. Features performances by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra and Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra, both led by Gerard Schwarz.

The breadth of musical textures and colors capable of being produced by a piano and saxophone pairing is vast. +Turning expectations upside-down, Metropolis, the debut release on Ravello Records by the Harrington/Loewen Duo - saxophonist Allen Harrington and pianist Laura Loewen - highlights the adventurous and unpredictable approach to the two instruments. +Harrington and Loewen established their duo in 2002 and have since been known for their “musicality, tight ensemble and virtuosic performances.”

Joyous and energetic, sad and lyrical, images of light and cascading colors - these varied striking moods can all be used to describe composer Kirk O'Riordan's six chamber works on his premiere Ravello Records release, Strange Flowers. The six pieces on the album tell a story together, captivating the audience with it's accessible but nuanced sound. O'Riordan has recently received commissions from the Cecil College Station Players, the EastWind Ensemble, saxophonist Farrell Vernon, and the Grammy-nominated Eaken Piano Trio. Described as 'un-apologetically beautiful,' O'Riordan is said to be 'getting US ready for the time ahead' (Dr. Jing Luo, Bloomsburg University).

This new Ravello release showcases works, originally for voice, transcribed, arranged and performed, with accompaniment, by clarinetist F. Gerard Errante. Errante selected compositions that illustrate the affinity between the clarinet and the human voice. The French Art Songs and the German Lieder serve as an excellent foil for the more contemporary North and South American songs. Mr. Errante is perhaps best known in the musical community for his contributions to the classical avant-garde.

Runes, the new album by composer Robert Dusek and pianist Bryan Pezzone, is a compilation of specially selected solo piano works, and provides the listener with a cohesive listening experience. Often sparse, sometimes impetuous, 'The music is at once very stark, and then seems to propel itself to the next scene or chapter with some unseen, and unheard, energy', says PARMA Recordings lead producer, Andy Happel. Bryan Pezzone deftly navigates the mind of the composer and shows that he clearly understands and admires the work.

The title track Casino Umbro is a contemporary piece combining baroque and modern instruments and features renowned clarinetist Richard Stoltzman. Also included is a trilingual song cycle Arabic Lessons set in Arabic Hebrew and German for three sopranos and ensemble.

Song of the Central Tree contains works by composer Ron Nagorcka. Ron Nagorcka’s music has been described as fascinating, wondrous, unique, and sensuous. He and his partner Sarah Lloyd live in a hand-built house in Tasmania, where he composes in his solar-powered studio. The works on this album are performed on a variety of instruments, including basso profondo, didjeridu, MIDI keyboard, double bass, and many others.

Since 1998, the compelling trio Eight Strings and a Whistle has been committed to presenting works and expanding the repertoire for the unique combination of flute, viola, and cello. Championing Baroque, Classical, Romantic and contemporary repertoire with elan their long awaited debut, Albert's Window includes it's namesake Albert Roussel's Trio, Op. 40 along with the contemporary composers Martin Rokeach, Peter Jona Korn, and Edmund Cionek.

Spectral Blues is a full album works by Lubet for steel-string acoustic guitar. His compositions combines the characteristics of blues and Eastern styles with classical methods of composition to create remarkably unique pieces that push the boundaries of the instrument.

Chiaroscuro, Chamber Music by Richard Lavenda is a bright and engaging new album of some of the composer's favorite chamber works - all written for personal friends. The title track refers to the visual art technique of a strong contrast between dark and light, and this motif aptly describes the listening experience. The album features a duet for viola and piano, a solo piece for tenor saxophone, a trio for clarinet, viola, and piano, and a string quintet. This is Lavenda's first album on Ravello Records.

Featuring performances by orchestras and ensembles from around the globe, the 4 pieces on this recording serve as an astute collection of Standberg's output as a composer. More than a musical release alone, ESSAYS AND SKETCHES serves as a retrospective of Strandberg's prolific career, housing a collection of writings, visual art, scores, and more, all compiled by peers, students, and admirers.

Throughout his musical career and childhood, American com-�poser Brickman has gathered influences ranging from the European-American classical tradition of the 2nd Viennese School to Elvis Costello and the Beatles. Winter & Construction maintains these disparate influences and brings them together into well-crafted modernistic 12-tone pieces for guitar, piano, and violin.

World-renowned clarinetist F. gerard Errante's latest release is a retrospective compilation of avant-garde works previously recorded by Errante in the LP era. These innovative works of the late 20th century, mostly written for or dedicated to Errante, display his wide-ranging mastery and consummate musicality in an idiom that is challenging as well as engaging and compelling.

Our human history, our search for something greater than ourselves, and our discoveries in the process are reflected in the tales we tell. David Liptak and Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon present several sonic narratives, referencing authors, poets, astronomers, folk musicians and more on their debut Ravello release, Stars. Stories. Song. The oft-awarded composer David Liptak is Professor of Music at the Eastman School of Music. Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon, also on the faculty at Eastman School of Music, was named finalist for the 2011 Pulitzer Prize and has received a number of other honors.