Middle Tennessee State University Wind Ensemble & Reed Thomas Nigel Clarke: Earthrise Turnbull: Girot Jesús Santandreu: Sortes Diabolorum

Presenting Rare Gems from Richard Strauss: Reference Recordings is proud to present our first album with the Carnegie Mellon Wind Ensemble, conducted and produced by George Vosburgh.

Reed Chamberlin’s AVE MARIS STELLA is a rare 21st-century recasting of beloved motets and secular works from the 14th and 16th centuries. Works by du Fay, Gabrieli, de Machaut, and more are reimagined through a double lens — the time-held tradition of setting renaissance work for wind bands, and, especially to the genre, the addition of post-production audio effects. AVE MARIS STELLA’s impressive variety of auditory experiences are recorded at such a high level of performance that it is nothing but a complete delight, from track to track and as a whole body of work.

This CD offers a rare opportunity to hear Igor Stravinsky's opera buffa, 'Mavra.' At only 28 minutes, the opera is short, but interesting. By scoring the orchestra with full winds and just a handful of strings, Stravinsky molded the usually romantic opera genre into his cool, neoclassical form. Both the singing and the playing are highly energetic, and contain a certain wittiness. Conductor Thierry Fischer does something quite amazing: instead of the usual separation between voice and pit orchestra, Fischer puts the orchestra in direct dialogue with the stage action, creating an incredible integration. The 'Octet' and 'Concertino', more standard works, are also well played. Attacks and articulations are so very clean, and it was this cleanliness that attracted Stravinsky to wind instruments in the first place. Unlike other Stravinsky recordings, this one has the vitality and moodiness that make the notes sparkle. One always feels a sense of propulsion. In the 'Concertino', this rhythmic drive is contrasted beautifully with eerie string lines. The 'Octet' manages to achieve a perfect chamber music feel. The ensemble never forces the sound, and the result is an elegant, interesting and contagious performance. The same could be said for the whole album.

The Omnibus Wind Ensemble's interest in Frank Zappa's music dates back to the beginning of the 1980s, almost from their very beginnings. Under the motto "From Mozart to Zappa", which also became the title of their 1st, widely acclaimed release on the Opus3 label, they have had many of Frank Zappa's compositions in their repertoire over the years.

The Omnibus Wind Ensemble's interest in Frank Zappa's music dates back to the beginning of the 1980s, almost from their very beginnings. Under the motto "From Mozart to Zappa", which also became the title of their 1st, widely acclaimed CD on the Opus3 label, they have had many of Frank Zappa's compositions in their repertoire over the years.

The Omnibus Wind Ensemble's interest in Frank Zappa's music dates back to the beginning of the 1980s, almost from their very beginnings. Under the motto "From Mozart to Zappa", which also became the title of their 1st, widely acclaimed CD on the Opus3 label, they have had many of Frank Zappa's compositions in their repertoire over the years.

The Omnibus Wind Ensemble's interest in Frank Zappa's music dates back to the beginning of the 1980s, almost from their very beginnings. Under the motto "From Mozart to Zappa", which also became the title of their 1st, widely acclaimed release on the Opus3 label, they have had many of Frank Zappa's compositions in their repertoire over the years.