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Music: Recordings |
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Music: Recordings |
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Saint Luke Catholic Church is well known throughout the East Coast as an ideal recording space for music ensembles, choruses and orchestras. The true acoustics, quiet setting inside and out, and the rich resources of organ, piano and harpsichord instruments, make this a popular recording space. Producers from Minneapolis, Chicago and Boston make annual trips to oversee recordings at Saint Luke. Over 30 CDs have been recorded in the last 10 years. Most are available from Amazon.com. Many of the CDs are also sold at Music in McLean Concerts at Saint Luke. Though no credit card or online purchase is available, they may be obtained by contacting Paul Skevington at 703.356.0670 or skevington@saintlukemclean.org. CONTENTS: Amadeus Orchestra | Chamber Music | Christmas | Choral | Harpsichord | Patriotic | Piano | Organ | Trumpet and Organ | Washington Symphonic Brass Amadeus OrchestraJoseph Rheinberger Organ ConcertosOrgan Concerto No. 1 in F major Timothy Rowe, Music Director The Washington Post reviewed the live performance of the first recording on this CD, the Rheinberger Organ Concerto No. 1 . In describing the concerto, the critic wrote: "…a choir of three horns sang out the concerto's linking motif and filled every corner of the church with sumptuous harmony. One would have to be atheistic indeed not to feel at that moment that music is a form of worship ." Performed at Saint Luke Catholic Church on April 18, 1999, the audience listened in “ rapt silence ” as the Amadeus Orchestra and Paul Skevington performed with “ exemplary precision and beauty of tone .” Chamber MusicCello Suites by J. S. BachVolume 1: Suites No. 1, 3, 4 When Johann Sebastian Bach wrote his six suites for unaccompanied cello in 1720, he perfected the art of composition for a solo instrument. Bach was a master of polyphonic composition, the Baroque gold standard of writing, which gives the impression that a single instrument is playing more than one voice at a time. In his cello suites, Bach leads the listener through a tremendously complex maze where everything is comfortably the same, yet startlingly different at each turn. Then suddenly, but inevitably, he pulls the entire piece together in a final cadence of clear, fully satisfying resolution. Bach’s suites are performed on this recording with brilliant sensitivity by Tobias Werner, Cellist-in-Residence at the Garth Newel Music Center in Virginia, with whom he performs more that 80 concerts a year in the US, New Zealand, France, Spain, Germany, Ireland, and Italy. Previously, as a founding member of the Florestan Piano Trio, he concertized at festivals and concert series throughout Europe. His solo performances include concerts with orchestras in the US, France, Germany and Romania. Mr. Werner can be heard on several CD recordings, including this most recent, brilliant interpretation of Cello Suites by J. S. Bach. David Diamond and The Potomac String Quartet, Volumes 1-4Volume 1- String Quartets 3, 8 In October, 2000, the Potomac String Quartet embarked on a project of recording all eleven string quartets written between 1936 and 1968 by the eminent American composer, David Diamond. During an interview, the composer explained, “I have always admired the performers of a string quartet because they had to be perfect musicians, technically and interpretively. They were, for me, the peak, even more so than a conductor.” He described his quartets as being made of four, independent contrapuntal lines with both thematic and motivic relationships. The musicians performing on this CD clearly live up to Diamond's expectations of perfection. Members of The Potomac String Quartet have performed with the National Symphony Orchestra and have soloed with orchestras throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. The quartet has also served as the resident string quartet at the chamber music concerts at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. The Double BassRobert Oppelt & Friends Principal Bass of The National Symphony Orchestra, Robbert Oppelt is accompanied by his wife Nicolette Driehuys on flute and by NSO members on strings and harp in a number of different ensembles. An unusual but surprisingly refreshing program of chamber music, Robert Oppelt’s first CD “makes for an impressive showcase for his talents.” Fanfare magazine Six Sonatas for Two Violins by TelemannDuo Concertone- Zino and Natasha Bogachek Zino and Natasha Bogachek, a husband and wife violin duo, were born in the former Soviet Union where they attended special music schools for gifted children. At an early age they began concert careers, performing recitals and appearing as soloists with various orchestras in the U.S.S.R., Europe, and the United States. Currently, Zino is a member of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra and Natasha is a member of the National Symphony Orchestra. Their joyful interpretation of Telemann’s Six Sonatas for Two Violins resonates with beauty and vitality. This is music making that is graceful yet profound, playful yet deliberate, and is a “must have” for music lovers everywhere. Ernst TochSteven Honigberg, Cello Steven Honigberg has emerged as one of the outstanding cellists of his generation. Known for his explorations of important new works, he has an extensive CD recording list. A member of the National Symphony Orchestra, he tours extensively throughout the U.S. The music of Ernst Toch is very innovative, yet prized for the mastery of its craftsmanship and the depth of its inspiration. Christmas
Christmas with the Master Chorale of WashingtonDonald McCullough, Music Director Beautifully performed choral works of the Christmas season, ranging from the dramatic and joyful3 Magnificat by Jonathan Wilcocks to the haunting simplicity of What Child Is This? 
Glorious Splendor: Christmas with The Washington ChorusChristmas with The Washington Chorus Relive the magic of the Christmas, 2002 Kennedy Center performance of the Grammy award winning Washington Chorus. Hear this magnificent 200-voice choir perform the premiere of three world-class compositions by the American composers Leo Nestor, Robert Shafer (both former music directors at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception) and Nicholas White. Enjoy a festive assortment of Yuletide carols accompanied by brass from the National Symphonic Orchestra and organ by Saint Luke’s own Paul Skevington, who also performs playful Christmas solos. This is one of those special CDs you’ll treasure for years to come. Sing We Noel: Christmas with the Washington Men’s CamerataChristmas with The Washington Men's Camerata Enjoy the strong and sturdy sound of an all-male choir directed by Frank Albinder, former conductor of "Chanticleer". This CD includes many popular carols as well as the famous Christmas Cantata by Daniel Pinkham. Parishioners of Saint Luke Catholic Church will recognize the full brass sound of Phil Snedecor and the Washington Symphonic Brass, who regularly play at Saint Luke for Christmas, Easter and other festivals. 
There Shall a Star: Choral Jewels for ChristmasThe Choral Arts Society of Washington This is a glorious collection of traditional Christmas music performed by the remarkable Choral Arts Society. Orchestral accompaniments are included in many of the selections. This CD includes carols, spirituals, traditional choral works and five lovely Bach organ solos featuring the Saint Luke Steiner-Reck organ as played by J. Reilly Lewis. ChoralChrist Be Our Seed- The Choral Tradition of Carl F. SchalkAmerican Repertory Singers A beautiful and inspiring collection of religious choral works arranged by the inimitable Carl F. Schalk, a towering figure in church music. The American Repertory Singers (a professional vocal ensemble resident in Washington, D.C.) is one of America's premier chamber ensembles. 
Holocaust Cantata- Songs from the CampsMaster Chorale of Washington The Holocaust Cantata was first performed at the Kennedy Center in March, 1998. A compelling collection of musical melodies written by inmates in concentration camps during the Holocaust, this powerful and beautiful work arranged by Daniel McCullough reflects the inmates' innermost responses to the most unthinkable acts. The Holocaust Cantata represents “the voice of humanity, crying out to be heard.” Love Songs for ChorusWoodley Ensemble Love Songs for Chorus is for your romantic side. You'll hear Canti L'Amour by Bernard Rands, a collection of fifteen brief love madrigals for a cappella chorus using poems from James Joyce's Chamber Music ; Love Songs for Mixed Chorus A Cappella by Augusta Read Thomas, seven famous epigrams on the subject of love; Among the Voices by Rands incorporating four early poems by Samuel Beckett; and Six Madrigals by William Hawley, works linked to the 16 th Century and composed for Chanticleer. This CD was recorded at Saint Luke and was featured on the cover of the Fall 2003 issue of Fanfare magazine. Langley High School MadrigalsKaren McAndrews, Conductor An eclectic mix of choral music, including traditional Christmas carols, sacred works and a particularly lovely rendition of Shenandoah, sung beautifully by the talented members of the Langley High School Madrigals. Available only from Langley High School. 49 Hidden Treasures from the African American Heritage Hymnal – GIA Publications
Celebrating Sacred Rhythms – The Choral Arts Society of WashingtonThe Choral Arts Society of Washington As world music, the chamber choral works featured in this recording are wonderful gems incorporating folk idioms. Colorful, joyful, vibrant, dramatic, and soulful are just a few of the many qualities found in this work. The poignant depiction of the nativity story in Navidad Nuestra is based on the rich musical tradition of Argentine dances and songs and creates a beautiful tableau that unfolds with indigenous flair. In Missa Luba, the call and response format with ostinato drum patterns suggest open air religious celebrations in central Africa. Finally, the embracing and highly personal approach to the Mass expressed in Misa Criolla promotes involvement on a spiritual level. Performed by chamber choruses from the Choral Arts Society of Washington, these performances focus on rhythmic color and dynamic harmonies while maintaining textual clarity. The invitation for participation is intoxicating and pervasive throughout all three works. HarpsichordNo recordings at this time. PatrioticLife and Liberty - American Patriotic MusicNational Men's Chorus - Thomas Beveridge, Artistic Director Join the National Men's Chorus for a patriotic tribute to “Life and Liberty” as they sing such cherished national hymns as America the Beautiful , This is My Country , The Navy Hymn , and Stars and Stripes Forever , as well as the robust tunes of the American Revolution and the Civil War. Recorded live in concert at Saint Luke with the Washington Symphonic Brass and organist, Paul Skevington, this CD is a treasure and a proud testimony to freedom. PianoNo recordings at this time. OrganNo recordings at this time. Trumpet and Organ
Lyrical Trumpet, Phil Snedecor, Trumpet, Paul Skevington, OrganThe Lyrical Trumpet is acclaimed by the prestigious International Trumpet Guild as "among the very best" trumpet and organ CDs. Performed by Phil Snedecor and Paul Skevington, "both leading musicians in the Washington, D.C. area", The Lyrical Trumpet is delightful in its fresh and exhilarating repertoire—transcriptions of some of your favorite pieces, as well as several original compositions by Phil Snedecor. Hear Mozart's classic Queen of the Night powerfully reinterpreted for trumpet & organ; classics by Bernstein, Albinoni, Bach, Mahler, Barber and Faure; as well as brilliant original pieces such as Tribute , written by Phil just after September 11 th —an unforgettable piece of music with its "poignant majesty". The Lyrical Trumpet is “brilliant, full, deep and well balanced” in its almost voice-like quality. 
Lyrical Trumpet IIPhil Snedecor, Trumpet Coming soon! Due for release in December 2007. 
Washington Symphonic BrassAncient Airs for Brass and OrganWashington Symphonic Brass - Milton Stevens, Conductor The Washington Symphonic Brass is an elite ensemble of 13 brass, 3 percussion and organ instruments. This highly acclaimed recording pulls together festive works both specifically for Christmas and other special occasions. The inspiring and joyful pieces are transcribed for brass - beautifully and creatively adapted from melodies of previous centuries. CD booklet contains interesting story of the recording of the project (part of which was during an ice-storm black out) and a beautiful picture of the Saint Luke Organ. Highly recommended! 
Voices of BrassWashington Symphonic Brass Featuring Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, this fourth CD of WSB is now reissued on Warner Classics with the new title “Burana with Brass.” The American Record Guide review by Billy Kilpatrick says it all: “This spectacular account … of Carmina Burana is one of the all-time great brass ensemble recordings. The arrangement by trumpeter Phil Snedecor is first-rate, and the soloists (especially horn player Martin Hackleman) are outstanding. The group may be the best-sounding large brass ensemble I have heard.” 
Sinfonia Festiva – Summit RecordsPaul Skevington and The Washington Symphonic Brass Experience a galactic symphony of sound that is forward looking, fresh, and full of the American spirit of exploration, discovery, and triumph. Sinfonia Festiva features music for solo organ and brass quintet and organ. This CD highlights three contemporary American composers in a decidedly American style: lyrical and tonal with melodic lines and rhythmic drive. Sinfonia Festiva is the premier recording of two major works for organ and brass by Daniel Gawthrop and by Craig Phillips. The music of David Ashley White is also featured in a three movement piece entitle “Triptych” for organ and brass. The CD was recorded at Saint Luke Church in McLean, is distributed nationwide by Summit Records, and can be found at Borders Books and Music, Tower Records, and Amazon.com. Review Carmina Burana – Washington Symphonic Brass
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