NEWS February 2010
News Archive E,F | Kate and Mike Westbrook | Julian Hellaby | Northern Star People | British Piano | Pilibavicius | The British Quartet | British Piano Concert | Camden Reeve |
New CDs Anima Rising by Naomi Wright and Helen McDonald and the Descendants available for sale on our albums page
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Anima Rising Naomi Wright cello, Anabelle Lawson piano
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ASC Records are pleased to announce their latest release: Anima Rising, ASC CD116. This is the debut CD of the superb cellist Naomi Wright and her team of pianist Annabelle Lawson and co-producer Steve Plews. The CD is a thrilling, multi-genre musical journey that ranges from the Beethoven Cello Sonata No 2 in G Minor (Opus 5) to the avant garde yet highly accesible composing of Steve (Plews). Along the musical route we are treated to the subtle depth of Leoš Janácek, the haunting enigmatic writing of John Hearne and a wonderful piece by Naomi herself that uses multi track layering and studio techniques. Anima Rising has been recorded using wonderful instruments and technology and was mastered by the legendary Ray Staff at Air Studios. With this sort of pedigree this CD is well worth a listen - Naomi and Annabelle will also feature in our women in contemporary music series later this year. Naomi Wright is a highly sought after cellist and has a hugely varied career playing in numerous venues as both soloist, chamber musician and improviser. She studied as an undergraduate and postgraduate at The Royal Academy of Music, London, where she was the recipient of The Winifred Disney Award. She then went on to continue her studies at The Eastman School of Music in the USA with Professor Steven Doane. Naomi is passionate that music and the cello shouldn’t be put into boxes and has recorded for musicians such as Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Bjork , Madonna, Terence Blanchard and Vince Mendoza while simultaneously enjoying a busy career giving classical recitals at venues such as The Purcell Room, St Martin in The Fields, The National Theatre, Riverhouse Arts Centre and St James Piccadilly. In 2004 Naomi set up a music project for The Mehli Mehta Foundation in Mumbai, India which thrives to this day. As a composer and improviser, Naomi works in the Attab Haddad Ensemble which is a fusion of Iraqi and flamenco music. She also collaborates with contemporary dance companies such as Aranaea and Pairdance fusing the essences of cello performance and dance. |
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Descendants Helen Mcdonald and the London Bridge Ensemble ASC CD118 Music composed by Helen McDonald (vocalist) and Vladimir Miller (piano)
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Helen McDonald began her performing career in the Midlands, England, forming her own groups singing blues and jazz. In the 1990s she moved to London where she now lives and soon began performing with musicians such as Dave Murrey, Keith Whaite and Roy Ayres playing in prestigious venues and festivals, including Ronnie Scotts club. Helen also works in theatre and in this area has created a life story perfomance of Billie Holliday, which was received to critical acclaim. Helen has been hugely influenced from a wide range of experiences of performing and travelling in Africa, notably Ghana, Senegal and Sudan. For more details of the London Bridge Ensemble see: |
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