A Palace Upon the Ruins

Dive into the enchanting world of Howard Shore's "A Palace Upon the Ruins," a captivating collection of concert music that showcases the Academy Award-winning composer's versatility beyond his renowned film scores. Released on November 4, 2016, via Howe Records, this album is a testament to Shore's prowess in creating intimate and deeply moving classical pieces.

The centerpiece of the album is the titular song cycle, "A Palace Upon the Ruins," featuring mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano. This six-part work, with lyrics by Elizabeth Connor, is a hauntingly beautiful exploration of nature's elements, each movement named after a different natural phenomenon: Nebel (Fog), Eis (Ice), Wasser (Water), Wolke (Cloud), Regen (Rain), and Sonne (Sun). Cano's powerful and nuanced performance is accompanied by players from New York’s Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival, adding layers of depth and richness to the composition.

Beyond the song cycle, the album features a diverse range of Shore's concert works. "Peace," composed in 2007, is a serene and reflective piece that highlights the composer's ability to evoke tranquility. "The Garden," from 2006, is a delicate and evocative work that paints a vivid sonic landscape. "Six Pieces," composed in 1999, offers a suite of shorter compositions that showcase Shore's versatility and mastery of form. The album concludes with "Catania," a 2007 composition that adds a dramatic and powerful finale to the collection.

Performances on the album are by some of the classical music world's brightest stars, including pianist Lang Lang and the renowned Kronos Quartet, ensuring that each note is brought to life with precision and passion. Whether you're a longtime fan of Howard Shore's film scores or a classical music enthusiast, "A Palace Upon the Ruins" offers a rich and rewarding listening experience that highlights the composer's extraordinary talent and artistic vision.