Liner Notes
Cat. No. NWCR792
Release Date: 1998-01-01
Polish National Radio Orchestra; Roman Siwek, trombone; Ladzistan Szostak, Conductor; Joel Berman, violin; Evelyn Garvey, piano, celesta; Ronald Barnett, percussion; Evelyn Elsing, cello; Lori Barnet, cello; Dorothy Skidmore, flute; Thomas Jones, percussion; William Skidmore, cello; Thomas Jones, percussion; William Skidmore, cello
My life as a composer began in my late teens—somewhere around 1943—the birth-date of my earliest songs. It intensified during my two years at Juilliard, where Peter Mennin prodded and poked at my weekly offerings, subtly inculcating the technique required to put together extended structures. I subsequently worked with Luening, Ibert and Copland but their influence on my music
was minimal.
Of my 70-odd pieces, most are for small ensembles: a colorist from the very beginning (I’ve written almost nothing for solo piano, although I am a pianist) many of these chamber pieces are for unusual instrumental combinations. Owing to my very early work with violinists and cellists—I continue to play publicly today in chamber recitals—I feel an affinity for strings, often, I’m afraid, pushing the technical requirements beyond some players’ comfort thresholds. My solo Violin Sonata, for instance, tests the limits of the instrument, yet Curtis Macomber’s performance (on CRI CD 706) is exemplary. Both Macomber, and Lori Barnet on this recording, have reconciled their instruments to the demands of the music.
Like most composers these days I find orchestra performances hard to come by, but I was fortunate in the eighties when Mstislav Rostropovich was director of the National Symphony Orchestra; in 1983 and 1985, respectively, he conducted my Kettledrum and Trombone Concertos. In 1986 Rostropovich and the NSO commissioned my Symphonic Variations; the first performances took place in January of 1988.
-Robert Parris
This title, originally issued on the CRI label, is now available as a burn-on-demand CD (CD-R) or download in MP3/320, FLAC or WAV formats. CD-Rs come in a protective sleeve; no print booklet or jewel case included. Liner notes are accessible via the link above.
My life as a composer began in my late teens—somewhere around 1943—the birth-date of my earliest songs. It intensified during my two years at Juilliard, where Peter Mennin prodded and poked at my weekly offerings, subtly inculcating the technique required to put together extended structures. I subsequently worked with Luening, Ibert and Copland but their influence on my music
was minimal.
Of my 70-odd pieces, most are for small ensembles: a colorist from the very beginning (I’ve written almost nothing for solo piano, although I am a pianist) many of these chamber pieces are for unusual instrumental combinations. Owing to my very early work with violinists and cellists—I continue to play publicly today in chamber recitals—I feel an affinity for strings, often, I’m afraid, pushing the technical requirements beyond some players’ comfort thresholds. My solo Violin Sonata, for instance, tests the limits of the instrument, yet Curtis Macomber’s performance (on CRI CD 706) is exemplary. Both Macomber, and Lori Barnet on this recording, have reconciled their instruments to the demands of the music.
Like most composers these days I find orchestra performances hard to come by, but I was fortunate in the eighties when Mstislav Rostropovich was director of the National Symphony Orchestra; in 1983 and 1985, respectively, he conducted my Kettledrum and Trombone Concertos. In 1986 Rostropovich and the NSO commissioned my Symphonic Variations; the first performances took place in January of 1988.
-Robert Parris
This title, originally issued on the CRI label, is now available as a burn-on-demand CD (CD-R) or download in MP3/320, FLAC or WAV formats. CD-Rs come in a protective sleeve; no print booklet or jewel case included. Liner notes are accessible via the link above.
Music of Robert Parris
| MP3/320 | $16.00 | |
| FLAC | $16.00 | |
| WAV | $16.00 | |
| CD-R | $16.00 |
A *.pdf of the notes may be accessed here free of charge.
Track Listing
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Concerto for Trombone: I. Nocturne
Robert Parris
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Concerto for Trombone: II. Perpetual Motion
Robert Parris
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Concerto for Percussion, Violin, Cello & Piano: I. Grave
Robert Parris
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Concerto for Percussion, Violin, Cello & Piano: II. Allegro
Robert Parris
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Concerto for Percussion, Violin, Cello & Piano: III. Cantabile ed agitato
Robert Parris
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Fantasy & Fugue for Solo Cello: I. Fantasy
Robert Parris
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Fantasy & Fugue for Solo Cello: II. Fugue
Robert Parris
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The Book of Imaginary Beings: I. Amphisbaena
Robert Parris
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The Book of Imaginary Beings: II. The Rain Bird
Robert Parris
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The Book of Imaginary Beings: III. A King of Fire and His Steed
Robert Parris
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The Book of Imaginary Beings: IV. A Bao a Qu
Robert Parris
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The Book of Imaginary Beings: V. The Satyrs
Robert Parris
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The Book of Imaginary Beings: VI. The Double
Robert Parris
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The Book of Imaginary Beings: VII. Sirens
Robert Parris
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The Book of Imaginary Beings: VIII. Amphisbaena Retroversa
Robert Parris
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