GLENDALE -- BMG Classics has just released a new recording by Jeffrey
Kahane and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra of art songs by composer Ned
Rorem and featuring countertenor Brian Asawa.
The orchestra performs a regular concert season at The Alex Theatre in
Glendale.
This world-premiere recording includes two song cycles called "More
Than a Day" and "From an Unknown Past" as well as an orchestral work
titled "Water Music."
The work was commissioned by philanthropist Betty Freeman for the
orchestra, which premiered it in 1995.
Ned Rorem, whom Time Magazine called "the world's best composer of art
songs," based the work on poems by Jack Larson. Larson dedicated "More
than a Day" to the memory of his longtime companion.
The orchestral work "Water Music" features a clarinet solo, played by
orchestra principal Gary Gray, a violin solo, by Concertmaster Margaret
Batjer and the orchestra.
Jeffrey Kahane leads the orchestra throughout the recording, which is
available through record stores and online, as well as through the Los
Angeles Chamber Orchestra office (213) 622-7001, ext. 217.
