John Harbison's "Harbison: Chamber Music" is a captivating journey through the avant-garde landscape of contemporary classical music. Released on October 31, 2006, under the Naxos label, this album is a testament to Harbison's compositional prowess and his ability to blend intricate structures with evocative melodies. Spanning a concise yet impactful 66 minutes, the album is divided into several suites and standalone pieces, each offering a unique exploration of sound and emotion.
The album opens with "North and South: Book I and II," a two-part suite that weaves together ballads, songs, and reflective pieces, showcasing Harbison's knack for storytelling through music. Following this, "6 American Painters" pays homage to six influential American artists, each movement inspired by the distinct styles and visions of Bingham, Eakins, Heade, Homer, Hoffman, and Diebenkorn. This suite is a fascinating blend of visual and auditory artistry, where Harbison translates the essence of painting into music.
"Christmas Vespers" offers a meditative and introspective experience, with its eight movements providing a serene and contemplative atmosphere. The final suite, "Book of Hours and Seasons," is a profound exploration of time, nature, and human emotion, with each movement delving into different facets of these themes.
Throughout the album, Harbison's avant-garde approach is evident in his use of complex harmonies, unconventional structures, and innovative instrumentation. His music is both intellectually stimulating and deeply moving, making "Harbison: Chamber Music" a compelling listen for those eager to explore the boundaries of contemporary classical music.
(C) 2006 Naxos(P) 2006 Naxos
Tracks
North and South: Book I: No. 1, Ballad for Billie (I)John Harbison, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Chicago Chamber Musicians
North and South: Book I: No. 2, Late AirJohn Harbison, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Chicago Chamber Musicians
North and South: Book I: No. 3, Breakfast SongJohn Harbison, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Chicago Chamber Musicians
North and South: Book II: No. 1, Ballad for Billie (II)John Harbison, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Chicago Chamber Musicians
North and South: Book II: No. 2, SongJohn Harbison, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Chicago Chamber Musicians
North and South: Book II: No. 3, Dear, my compassJohn Harbison, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Chicago Chamber Musicians
6 American Painters: No. 1, BinghamJohn Harbison, Mathieu Dufour, Joseph Genualdi, Rami Solomonow, Brant Taylor
6 American Painters: No. 2, EakinsJohn Harbison, Mathieu Dufour, Joseph Genualdi, Rami Solomonow, Brant Taylor
6 American Painters: No. 3, HeadeJohn Harbison, Mathieu Dufour, Joseph Genualdi, Rami Solomonow, Brant Taylor
6 American Painters: No. 4, HomerJohn Harbison, Mathieu Dufour, Joseph Genualdi, Rami Solomonow, Brant Taylor
6 American Painters: No. 5, HoffmanJohn Harbison, Mathieu Dufour, Joseph Genualdi, Rami Solomonow, Brant Taylor
6 American Painters: No. 6, DiebenkornJohn Harbison, Mathieu Dufour, Joseph Genualdi, Rami Solomonow, Brant Taylor
Christmas Vespers: I. PreludeJohn Harbison, Bill Kurtis, Charles Geyer, Barbara Butler, Gail Williams, Michael Mulcahy, Craig Knox
Christmas Vespers: II. —John Harbison, Bill Kurtis, Charles Geyer, Barbara Butler, Gail Williams, Michael Mulcahy, Craig Knox
Christmas Vespers: III. —John Harbison, Bill Kurtis, Charles Geyer, Barbara Butler, Gail Williams, Michael Mulcahy, Craig Knox
Christmas Vespers: IV. —John Harbison, Bill Kurtis, Charles Geyer, Barbara Butler, Gail Williams, Michael Mulcahy, Craig Knox
Christmas Vespers: V. —John Harbison, Bill Kurtis, Charles Geyer, Barbara Butler, Gail Williams, Michael Mulcahy, Craig Knox
Christmas Vespers: VI. —John Harbison, Bill Kurtis, Charles Geyer, Barbara Butler, Gail Williams, Michael Mulcahy, Craig Knox
Christmas Vespers: VII. —John Harbison, Bill Kurtis, Charles Geyer, Barbara Butler, Gail Williams, Michael Mulcahy, Craig Knox
Christmas Vespers: VIII. PostludeJohn Harbison, Bill Kurtis, Charles Geyer, Barbara Butler, Gail Williams, Michael Mulcahy, Craig Knox
Book of Hours and Seasons: No. 1, Dem aufgehenden Vollmond (to the Rising Full Moon)John Harbison, Emily Lodine, Mathieu Dufour, Brant Taylor, Kuang-Hao Huang
Book of Hours and Seasons: No. 2, Immer und uberall (Always and Everywhere)John Harbison, Emily Lodine, Mathieu Dufour, Brant Taylor, Kuang-Hao Huang
Book of Hours and Seasons: No. 3, Interlude. Jahreszeiten kommen wieder (Interlude. The Seasons Come Again)John Harbison, Emily Lodine, Mathieu Dufour, Brant Taylor, Kuang-Hao Huang
Book of Hours and Seasons: No. 4, Mich angstigt das Verfangliche (the Artful makes me anxious)John Harbison, Emily Lodine, Mathieu Dufour, Brant Taylor, Kuang-Hao Huang
Book of Hours and Seasons: No. 5, Um Mitternacht (At midnight)John Harbison, Emily Lodine, Mathieu Dufour, Brant Taylor, Kuang-Hao Huang
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