New CD “Studies in Nature” released on Centaur Records

November 2018 saw the release of a chamber and vocal music CD on Centaur Records, entitled “Studies in Nature.” The recording includes performances of Studies in Nature, Canticle and Caprice, Cinderella, Quelques Fleurs, Luctus Profugis and Orange Torches Against the Rain. Its large cast of performers include Sheldon Person, Matthew Roitstein, Stephanie Gustafson. Aidan Soder, Grant Loehnig, Natalie Lin, Ab Sengupta, Julia Cleworth, Wesley Ducote, Jakob Nierenz, Thomas Frey, Boson Mo, Ling Ling Huang, Jarita Ng, Max Geissler, Aaron Perdue, Lin Ma, Greg Hammond, Philip Hembree, Craig Hauschildt, Jerry Hou and the Kinetic Ensemble. Many of the works on the CD share a naturalistic theme: the title piece and the cover art is inspired by the captivating illustrations of biologist and naturalist Ernst Haeckel (1834—–1919), seen at left; the song cycle “Orange Torches Against the Rain” sets texts of flowers and rain by American poet Amy Lowell; and the trio Quelques Fleurs is inspired by the scent of flowers. “Canticle and Caprice” is a short two-part piece for string trio. A work for string orchestra, “Luctus Profugis” is a lament, an elegy for the victims of the European migrant crisis. Finally, “Cinderella,” scored for a large mixed ensemble of nine players, was written to accompany the 1922 silent silhouette film by Lotte Reiniger (the film and music can be seen below). The CD (CENTAUR 3659) is available online at iTunes, amazon.com and ArkivMusik.