Composer CDs

While the following CDs don’t feature the Winds, they showcase music by composers in or affiliated with the ensemble.
MI0001023661R. James Whipple is the Winds’ artistic director. His Concertino for an Autumn Mood, Op. 14, written between 1972 and 1976, received a number of American performances before being recorded by the Czech Radio Orchestra under the direction of Gerard Schwarz.  The bassoon soloist was Deborah Greitzer. This was released on the MMC label, whose catalog was recently purchased by Parma Recordings which is allowing this disc to go out of print.  Get your copy now!

 

“R. James Whipple’s ‘Concertino for an Autumn Mood’ is a more traditional composition, using a very narrative tonal language. By contrasting the bassoon lead with the string accompaniment, Whipple creates the impression of a character and backdrop. The strings create mood while the very voicelike melodies of the bassoon dance through the scene.”
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“In one quite short movement, divided into sections of different moods, it is a tonal work of immediate accessibility. Swirling in the background is the autumnal wind, with the soloist sometimes becoming directly involved; but for the greater part is is content to sing a lyrical song against the active strings.”
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82424Venezuelan-born composer Efraín Amaya has been associated with the Winds for two decades.  Just before our collaboration began, Élan Recordings released this CD of many of his early works, which includes some real gems.