Michael J. Evans: The Adventures Of Florian / Stanislav Vavrinek, Janacek Philharmonic

$8.49
Label
Navona
Release Date
October 23, 2020
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      EVANS, MICHAEL J.
    • ORCHESTRA / ENSEMBLE
      Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra
    • PERFORMER
      Vavrínek
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      October 23, 2020
    • UPC
      896931006019
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      NV6301
    • LABEL
      Navona
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      2
    • GENRE
      Classical
    Works ⌄

    1. Opening

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    2. Act I: Isabella

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    3. Act I: Death

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    4. Act I: Transformation

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    5. Act I: The Adventure Begins

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    6. Act II: Black Rock Castle

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    7. Act II: No Fear

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    8. Act II: Gifts

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    9. Act II: Into the Unknown

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    10. Act III: Prince Florizel

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    11. Act III: The Royal Family

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    12. Act III: Gossip

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    13. Act III: Loving You

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    14. Act III: Flowers and Daggers and Demons

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    15. Act IV: Only a Mother Could Love

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    16. Act IV: I Got You

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    17. Act IV: You're Gone

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    18. Act IV: I'm Coming for You

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    19. Act IV: Love and Hate

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    20. Act IV: The Great Escape

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek

    21. Act IV: Transfiguration and Happily Ever Afters

      Composer: Michael J. Evans

      Ensemble: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

      Conductor: Stanislav Vavřínek


On his seventh release on Navona Records, THE ADVENTURES OF FLORIAN, Michael J. Evans presents an epic, modern adaptation of Henry Beston’s fairytale of the same name. Over the course of four orchestral acts, Evans reframes the story as a tale of trans heroship, with Prince Florizel marrying Florian himself presenting as a boy, rather than revealing Florian as Isabella. Beautifully accessible and poignantly educational, THE ADVENTURES OF FLORIAN brings LGBT characters into the spotlight to improve their representation and educate audiences on the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity. Over the course of the tale, Florian and Florizel display true love for each other and come together as one. Evans enhances the piece’s narrative drive with dedicated instrumentation for each character. The oboe represents Isabella until her transition into Florian, at which point he is musically defined by the soprano sax. The powerful Enchanter is heard as a bass trombone, which contrasts with the english horn and shrieking clarinets which represent the Old Witch and her daughter. Finally, Prince Florizel is heard as a trumpet. Evans continues to show his compositional and thematic prowess through his use of themes for Florian and Florizel. Their respective themes are complete and can stand on their own, but when they come together they form a beautiful duet that represents their healthy, loving relationship. Accompanying the music and fairytale are more than a hundred full illustrations by Appoline Etienne, which depict the story and its joyous ending. The colorful, dreamlike imagery perfectly captures the uplifting theme, and helps make the album’s message understandable for all ages.