Gordon and Stravinsky Multimedia

In this recording, the La Jolla Symphony under the direction of conductor Steven Schick performs two very different works in one multimedia program.

The first is Gotham, a contemporary work by composer Michael Gordon and its film by Bill Morrison. The second is composer Igor Stravinsky's work with André Gide's text, Persephone.
  

Gordon + Stravinsky - La Jolla Symphony
from University of California Television
Premiere Date: May 2016; 82 minutes

Orchestra: La Jolla Symphony
Conductor: Steven Schick

1. Gotham
Composer: Michael Gordon
Filmmaker: Bill Morrison

The first half offers GOTHAM, a 2004 joint production by filmmaker Bill Morrison and composer Michael Gordon. Using archival footage of New York City, Gotham combines film, projectors, lighting, and the orchestra to create a haunting impression of the city.

2. Persephone
Composer: Igor Stravinsky
Narrator: Alice Teyssier
Tenor: John K. Russell
Chorus: North Coast Singers Caprice Choir

Stravinsky’s opulent PERSEPHONE, which the composer described as a "melodrama," sets a text by André Gide that tells of the descent of the goddess Persephone into the underworld and her return. For this presentation the Symphony is joined by the Lux Boreal Dance Company, a narrator, a tenor soloist, and a children’s choir.

Video of the performances, including the film and the dance troupe are available to stream or download at UCTV (University of California Television) and on their YouTube profile. The film is also available for viewing in three pieces at the official website of filmmaker Bill Morrison.

MUSIC COPYRIGHTS: All Rights Reserved
IMAGE: A still image from Bill Morrison's film
NATIONALITY: USA: California: San Diego
CLASSIFICATIONS: Contemporary Composition; Orchestral
COMPOSERS: Michael Gordon; Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky
WRITER, FILMMAKER: André Gide; Bill Morrison
LANGUAGE: (instrumental); French
FILED UNDER: Digital: Art Music: Recent (Post-Romantic to Contemporary)

Women's Choral Music: The Goddess Suite

North Carolina's Community Music Project has been promoted by Oddio for years for their international folk music compilation series. Among the other recordings they share is a 1987 performance by the Community Music Project Chorus of the contemporary work The Goddess Suite by composer Cynthia Crossen.  

The Goddess Suite is a choral work for women's voices celebrating the Greek goddesses. Composed in 1986, performed in 1987, and revived in 2010, the performances raised more than $8,000 for women's charities.

Produced by Cynthia R. Crossen. Engineered by Don Mercz of WUNC Radio. Goddess Stories recorded at L.A. Sound Studios Ltd. (Lower Apex, NC); Engineered by Grant Wizard Spry. Cover by Hope Wilder. Re-mastered 2004 by Bob Gaude, Cynthia and Ken Crossen. CDs available from Cynthia Crossen.

Music License: © All Rights Reserved
Artist Location: North Carolina, USA

U.S. Army Band Ensembles

The United States Army Band has been the premier musical organization of the U.S. Army since 1922 when Army Chief of Staff General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing directed that it be formed to emulate the premier European military bands he had heard during the First World War. The Band has been known as “Pershing’s Own” ever since.

The Band provides musical support for US leadership, including all branches of government and for a spectrum of national and international events in support of public diplomacy, community and international relations, recruiting initiatives, soldiers and their families, and music education programs. The U.S. Army Band was also widely known during its early years for radio broadcasts featured on several national networks.

The U.S. Army Band and it's smaller ensembles periodically offer selected recordings on their websites. Here are some of the releases and collections currently available.

click images to enlarge

	US Army Strings - Strings Selections Classical, Strings, Modern Composition, Peoples Music | changing selection of songs The U.S. Army Strings, a premier ensemble of the U.S. Armed Forces, provide a musical backdrop for many of the country's most notable events. Their mission is to serve as musical ambassadors for high level military and government events at home and abroad, as well as in concert for public audiences. The elite musicians that comprise this ensemble have been trained at the most prestigious music conservatories and universities in the country. This versatile ensemble performs as The U.S. Army Strolling Strings, mixed chamber ensembles, and The U.S. Army Orchestra.
	US Army Blues - Live At Blues Alley (at online jukebox) Jazz, Blues, Swing, Big Band, Brass, Percussion | 11-song album + PDF booklet The U.S. Army Blues is the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Army. After informal beginnings in 1970, this 18-piece ensemble became an official element of the Army Band in 1972. Comprised of exceptional jazz musicians from across the nation, the Army Blues strive to fulfill their mission through public concerts, educational outreach, and the preservation of the tradition of America's unique art form: jazz.
	US Army Concert Band - Marches Of America (at online jukebox) Marches, Military, Orchestra | 15 of 18-song album + PDF booklet Headquartered in Washington, DC, The U.S. Army Concert Band has performed in concert venues such as Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Hollywood Bowl. The ensemble participates in ongoing, educational outreach and often appears at national and international music events.
	US Army Blues - Something Old, Something New: Yours to Borrow From the Blues Jazz, Blues, Swing, Big Band, Brass, Percussion | 9-song album + materials listed below "Introducing "Blues + YOU": play-along tracks available online--free of charge--so musicians can practice with mp3 downloads in a variety of configurations! Tailored to intermediate and advanced players, this unique product will become an invaluable resource for both college and high school jazz programs. The newest recording from The U.S. Army Blues, Something Old, Something New: Yours to Borrow From the Blues has tools to use and tunes to enjoy!" Materials include: Complete arrangements with score and individual parts as PDF files Separate full-band mp3 files minus lead trumpet, lead alto saxophone, lead trombone, and each rhythm instrument Mp3 files of rhythm section only for solo or full horn section practice
	US Army Chorus - Chorus Selections Male Choral, Classical, Vocal Pop, Folk, Military, Americana | changing selection of songs In 1956 The U.S. Army Chorus was established as the vocal counterpart of The United States Army Band and is one of the nation's only professional men's choruses. From its inception, The U.S. Army Chorus has established and maintained a reputation of excellence in the performance of male choral literature. Beyond the traditional military music and patriotic standards, the repertoire of the Army Chorus covers a broad spectrum which includes pop, Broadway, folk, and classical music.
	US Army Chorus - Christmas With The Chorus Male Choral, Classical, Vocal Pop, Folk, Holiday, Nonsecular, Christmas, Winter | 18-song collection

license: US Government Public Domain