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Unbounded - Music by American Women / Wohn, Phelps
Delos

Unbounded - Music by American Women / Wohn, Phelps

Romantic Romantic Uplifting Nostalgic Triumphant
$18.99

Details

Composer
Amy Beach, Jennifer Higdon, Dorothy Rudd Moore, Irene Britton Smith
Artist
Dawn Wohn, Emely Phelps
Format
CD
Label
Delos
Released
Aug 18, 2023
Catalog #
DE 3599
UPC
013491359922

About

As a second generation Korean-American woman, violinist Dawn Wohn notes that it has not always been easy to relate to the world of classical music, which is still largely Euro- and male-centric. Since delving into the diverse world of female composers, I have felt much joy, connection, and ownership to the music that I perform. To be able to champion this repertoire feels unbounded— joyful and limitless. I am particularly excited to share this album, which celebrates the music of American women, as performed by two American women.

There is no denying that historically, female composers have faced challenges. Amy Beach was unable to take composition lessons or have a performing career for most of her life, as it was deemed improper for a married woman. The two Black composers on this album, Dorothy Rudd Moore and Irene Britton Smith, faced further struggles for widespread recognition during their lifetimes, due to the classical world’s long reluctance to admit works by minority composers into the performing canon.

In an ideal world, there would be no need to call attention to the race or gender of these composers. In doing so, my concern is that the composers or their works will be overshadowed or grouped together by those labels. Just as Moore cautioned against typecasting, stating that “there are many Black artists in all disciplines and each is an individual with his or her unique experiences,” it is important to listen to and recognize each composer as an individual.

However, an all-male composer program would not raise questions on how to present it without diminishing the music or pigeon- holing the music or the composers. So, with this album, I choose to amplify and celebrate music by these four composers and all they have created through adversity. I relate deeply to the optimism, humor and beauty in these works, and hope that it inspires the listener.

REVIEW:

The two artists play with passion and elegantly the music of four composers defined not by gender or ethnicity but by the kind of tenacity that helped them achieve the often seemingly unreachable acceptance of the music establishment. Highly recommended!

-- All About the Arts (Rafael de Acha)

Tracklist 12 tracks

  1. 1 I. Allegro moderato 09:07
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro moderato
    Duration
    09:07
    Composer
    Amy Beach
    Performer
    Dawn Dongeun Wohn, Emely Phelps
  2. 2 II. Scherzo 04:48
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Scherzo
    Duration
    04:48
    Composer
    Amy Beach
    Performer
    Dawn Dongeun Wohn, Emely Phelps
  3. 3 III. Largo con dolore 08:53
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Largo con dolore
    Duration
    08:53
    Composer
    Amy Beach
    Performer
    Dawn Dongeun Wohn, Emely Phelps
  4. 4 IV. Allegro con fuoco 08:13
    Track
    4
    Title
    IV. Allegro con fuoco
    Duration
    08:13
    Composer
    Amy Beach
    Performer
    Dawn Dongeun Wohn, Emely Phelps
  5. 5 No. 1. Vignette 01:48
    Track
    5
    Title
    No. 1. Vignette
    Duration
    01:48
    Composer
    Dorothy Rudd Moore
    Performer
    Dawn Dongeun Wohn, Emely Phelps
  6. 6 No. 2. Episode 02:00
    Track
    6
    Title
    No. 2. Episode
    Duration
    02:00
    Composer
    Dorothy Rudd Moore
    Performer
    Dawn Dongeun Wohn, Emely Phelps
  7. 7 No. 3. Caprice 01:26
    Track
    7
    Title
    No. 3. Caprice
    Duration
    01:26
    Composer
    Dorothy Rudd Moore
    Performer
    Dawn Dongeun Wohn, Emely Phelps
  8. 8 Smoky Mountain Air 03:51
    Track
    8
    Title
    Smoky Mountain Air
    Duration
    03:51
    Composer
    Jennifer Higdon
    Performer
    Dawn Dongeun Wohn, Emely Phelps
  9. 9 I. Alegro cantabile 06:42
    Track
    9
    Title
    I. Alegro cantabile
    Duration
    06:42
    Composer
    Irene Britton Smith
    Performer
    Dawn Dongeun Wohn, Emely Phelps
  10. 10 II. Andante con sentimento 04:22
    Track
    10
    Title
    II. Andante con sentimento
    Duration
    04:22
    Composer
    Irene Britton Smith
    Performer
    Dawn Dongeun Wohn, Emely Phelps
  11. 11 III. Vivace 03:48
    Track
    11
    Title
    III. Vivace
    Duration
    03:48
    Composer
    Irene Britton Smith
    Performer
    Dawn Dongeun Wohn, Emely Phelps
  12. 12 Reminiscence 04:40
    Track
    12
    Title
    Reminiscence
    Duration
    04:40
    Composer
    Irene Britton Smith
    Performer
    Dawn Dongeun Wohn, Emely Phelps