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Lee III: Voyages - Orchestral Music / Alsop, ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
Avie Records

Lee III: Voyages - Orchestral Music / Alsop, ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra

$9.99
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Details

Composer
James Lee III
Artist
Marin Alsop
Format
CD
Label
Avie Records
Released
Mar 18, 2022
Catalog #
AV2507
UPC
822252250725

About

In Voyages, prolific American composer James Lee III takes the listener on a colorful journey through his endlessly creative orchestral music; painting biblical imagery in Beyond Rivers of Vision and celebrating the joyous Feast of Tabernacles in Sukkot Through Orion's Nebula, using well-known spirituals to celebrate the life of abolitionist Harriet Tubman (Chuphshah! Harriet's Drive to Canaan) and reflecting on the ongoing fight for freedom through his grandfather’s personal experiences in WWII (A Different Soldier’s Tale). His music is played here by the renowned ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marin Alsop.

REVIEW:

Although there may be some in the audience who may be skeptical of music by composers who are pretty much unknown to them, especially contemporary composers, they are in for a treat, for Chuphshah! is an entertaining, very listenable piece, as are all the compositions on this remarkable AVIE recording. From the opening measures of Sukkot Through Orion’s Nebula, with their snare, bass drum, brass, and percussion excitement, you know right away that this is going to be a fun recording for both musical and audio reasons. In his liner note essay, Lee describes Sukkot as “a festive work for orchestra,” and it is certainly that. Next up is the longest composition on the program, the four-movement A Different Soldier’s Tale, based on stories that Lee’s grandfather told him about his experiences in World War II. As you might expect from such a description, it contains some passages of drama and turmoil, as well as passages of pathos and reflection. Beyond Rivers of Vision is in three movements, of which Lee observes “for the most part the form in these pieces is fantasia-like or rhapsodic.” The music has an otherworldly characteristic to it at times that stands in contrast to the drama of the Soldier’s Tale. The CD closes with the afore-mentioned Chuphshah! Harriet's Drive to Canaan, which is based on aspects of the life of Harriet Tubman. His liner note essay is insightful and helpful in understanding what he is attempting to do in all four compositions, but especially so for this one.

As I indicated at the outset, this release is a treat both musically and sonically. The music is energetic and assertive, with plenty of orchestral effects that will show off a good audio system. The engineering team has done a good job, Alsop and the orchestra sound as though they are having a good time playing this mostly extroverted music, and the end result is a highly recommendable release from an exciting young composer.

-- Classical Candor (Karl W. Nehring)

Tracklist 9 tracks

  1. 1 Sukkot Through Orion's Nebula 11:44
    Track
    1
    Title
    Sukkot Through Orion's Nebula
    Duration
    11:44
    Composer
    James Lee III
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  2. 2 I. Vigilant Patrol 05:46
    Track
    2
    Title
    I. Vigilant Patrol
    Duration
    05:46
    Composer
    James Lee III
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  3. 3 II. I Must Survive! 05:01
    Track
    3
    Title
    II. I Must Survive!
    Duration
    05:01
    Composer
    James Lee III
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  4. 4 III. Capture! Funeral? 08:33
    Track
    4
    Title
    III. Capture! Funeral?
    Duration
    08:33
    Composer
    James Lee III
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  5. 5 IV. Celebration on Broad Street 06:32
    Track
    5
    Title
    IV. Celebration on Broad Street
    Duration
    06:32
    Composer
    James Lee III
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  6. 6 I. Hiddekel: Third from Life 03:52
    Track
    6
    Title
    I. Hiddekel: Third from Life
    Duration
    03:52
    Composer
    James Lee III
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  7. 7 II. The 24th Day of Abib 06:56
    Track
    7
    Title
    II. The 24th Day of Abib
    Duration
    06:56
    Composer
    James Lee III
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  8. 8 III. …and on either side of the river 06:10
    Track
    8
    Title
    III. …and on either side of the river
    Duration
    06:10
    Composer
    James Lee III
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop
  9. 9 Chuphshah! Harriet's Drive to Canaan 14:34
    Track
    9
    Title
    Chuphshah! Harriet's Drive to Canaan
    Duration
    14:34
    Composer
    James Lee III
    Ensemble
    Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien
    Conductor
    Marin Alsop