Chromosphere: Symphonic Colours of the Woodwind Orchestra

Name: Chromosphere: Symphonic Colours of the Woodwind Orchestra
SKU: 809730111723
Availability: InStock

Price range: £8.99 through £14.99

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CDMP3 320KbpsFLAC 16-bit/44KHD 24-bit

Conductor Shea Lolin and composer/producer Christopher Hussey have returned to Prague to record with the Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble, carefully curating an album of premiere recordings spotlighting the woodwind orchestra, capturing its kaleidoscopic colours and symphonic potential in order to deepen and broaden appreciation of the medium’s power.

A large chamber ensemble of flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons and saxophones in various sizes, the woodwind orchestra has a highly adaptable and magical tonal palette—it can be, in turn, boldly vibrant and delicately beautiful, thrillingly powerful and hauntingly tender, earnestly solemn and joyously comical.

The recorded repertoire reflects a spectrum of musical styles that exist in 21st-century concert music, ranging from the familiar and instantly singable to the more avant-garde, but always possessing an accessible and inviting musical narrative. Chromosphere is a landmark album, comprising exciting new and re-imagined pieces by leading composers in the genre and demonstrating the unique soundworld of the woodwind orchestra.

Track Listing

Keiron Anderson

Alice in Wonderland* 11:30

Judith Bingham

Mozart's Pets* 11:15

I. Miss Bimperl, Fox Terrier 2:38
II. A London Cat 0:59
III. Dawn Chorus in a Viennese Bird-seller’s Shop 2:46
IV. Grasshopper 0:52
V. A Canary Sings by Mozart’s Death Bed 4:00

Charlotte Harding

Bright Lights* 8:35

I. Luminous 4:28
II. Energetic, colourful 4:07

Kamran Ince

Domes* 13:18

Christopher Hussey

Child of the Wandering Sea* 11:54

Reviews

Double Reed News

“
…splendid, integrated sound …This album is great fun, with expert playing and ensemble, well recorded in a good acoustic
” —Jeremy Palmer

American Record Guide

“
It has been only a few months since this marvelous woodwind orchestra was last heard from…5 new works are heard in their first recordings. All tell a story or are about something. My favorite is Turkish-American composer Kamran Ince’s haunting Domes (1993), inspired by the skyline of Rome. Harmonies are doleful, timbres hushed, phrases very brief, chord progressions enigmatic.
” —Barry Kilpatrick

Congleton Review

“
Conductor Shea Lolin and composer/producer Christopher Hussey have joined the Czech
Philharmonic Wind Ensemble….whose range of sounds and feelings is absorbing.
” —Jem Condliffe

Clarinet & Saxophone Magazine

“
I did smile to see the conductor was Shea Lolin…so even before I pressed play, I knew I was in for a treat. I was not disappointed; the recorded sound is great and the ensemble playing is superb with lovely dynamic contrasts, great articulation…All five pieces on the album are world premiere recordings and all are deeply descriptive in nature.
” —Adrian Connell

British Music Society

“
The large woodwind ensemble is a rare beast in Europe (there are more in the United States); the members of the Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble are wonderful advocates of this music with their dexterous and bravura playing. All of the works are receiving their world première recordings. This colourful collection is warmly recommended.
” —Ronald Corp

Classical Notes

“
…a delightful selection of contemporary works…the clarity of articulation and precision of the players is in evidence…As an exceptional demonstration of the often neglected range that wind music can deliver, and with such commandingly expert performances from [Shea] Lolin and the Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble, this has to be highly recommended.
” —Nick Boston

Gramophone

“
an engaging collection of attractive new works – all receiving first recordings – in splendidly mellifluous performances by the Czech Philharmonic Wind Ensemble conducted by Shea Lolin…Lolin and the players…show off their virtuosity, flawless intonation and ensemble. Recommended.
” —Guy Richards