Description
CD/digital/streaming release date: 4 December 2020
US CD release date: 8 Jan 2021
Mirrors – 21st Century American Piano Trios
Lysander Piano Trio
Itamar Zorman violin • Michael Katz cello • Liza Stepanova piano
Sarah Shafer soprano *
Gilad COHEN (1980–)
1-7. Around the Cauldron (2016)
Reinaldo MOYA (1984–)
8-11. Ghostwritten Variations (2015–2016)
Jennifer HIGDON (1962–)
12-16. Love Sweet (2014) *
Sofia BELIMOVA (2000–)
17. Titania and Her Suite (2014)
William David COOPER (1986–)
18. An den Wassern zu Babel (2010)
Jakub CIUPINSKI (1981–)
19. The Black Mirror (2013–2014)
All première recordings
Recorded 23 January 2018 at Oktaven Audio in Mount Vernon, New York, USA and 21 February 2018 at Ramsey Concert Hall, University of Georgia Performing Arts Center, Athens, Georgia, USA
Produced by Ryan Streber
24bit, 96kHz hi-resolution recording, editing and mastering by Ryan Streber apart from 12–16 recorded by Paul Griffith
Press Quotes
“This is an excellent collection of accessible contemporary chamber music… I have little doubt that she (Sarah Shafer) will be one of the outstanding sopranos of her generation… The Lysander Piano Trio, in addition to being wonderful musicians, obviously have a good sense of programming” (Fanfare Magazine)
“An enterprising and finely realized collection of recent works for piano trio (all of them first recordings) Lysander Piano Trio, an ensemble now well established on the American recital circuit, which here gets to display its versatility and conviction in abundant measure.” (Arcana)
“... The Lysander Piano Trio and soprano Sarah Shafer hit scores of right notes here, and have programmed the album very effectively, granting its audience access to a whole new set of aural fairy tales, programmatic and not. Firebird has company, and Lysander wants you to know about it. And with these wonderful performances full of care and emotion, you’ll soon be under their spell.” (American Record Guide)
“…an intriguing and eclectic album.” (The Classic Review)
“…all of this release’s compositions benefit from the Lysander Trio’s finely honed ensemble values and well-characterised solo contributions, not to mention the well-balanced sound…” (Gramophone)
“Great groundbreaking stuff.” (Midwest Record)
“The Lysander Piano Trio demonstrate exceptional virtuosic and expressive talent across this diverse selection of styles…” (Classical Notes)
“The Lysander Piano Trio’s “mirrors” is a totally delicious album you will not want to stop playing, partly because of the Trio’s hypnotic proficiency, but it also has an appealing introduction to some noteworthy composers of new music.” (Concertonet.com)
“The members of the Lysander Piano Trio…. display a refined level of versatility and musicianship, and well define each work’s nature and point of departure.” (Classical Music Sentinel)
performance **** / recording **** (BBC Music Magazine)
