In their debut release, the Conor and Ayano Duo explores repertoire for flute and percussion that takes its inspiration from various folkloric, world music, and vernacular styles.
| # | Audio | Title/Composer(s) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Time | 59:50 | ||
| 01 | Piao | Piao | 11:28 |
| 02 | Breaking Training | Breaking Training | 7:41 |
On a Full Moon NightNaoko Hishinuma (b. 1970) |
|||
| 03 | I. On a Full Moon Night | I. On a Full Moon Night | 3:13 |
| 04 | II. Moon Light | II. Moon Light | 3:07 |
| 05 | III. An Evening Party | III. An Evening Party | 4:23 |
| 06 | Hot Water Burn Baby | Hot Water Burn Baby | 6:23 |
Kembang SulingGareth Farr (b. 1968) |
|||
| 07 | I. Bali | I. Bali | 3:47 |
| 08 | II. Japan | II. Japan | 3:21 |
| 09 | III. South India | III. South India | 3:11 |
| 10 | Eclogue | Eclogue | 13:15 |
In their debut release, the Conor and Ayano Duo explores repertoire for flute and percussion that takes its inspiration from various folkloric, world music, and vernacular styles. The works on the cd exist on a continuum, some borrowing elements from other styles to integrate into traditional concert music structures, others striving to inhabit the musical culture from which they borrow. The recording features several premieres, including works written for the ensemble.
Recorded July 28-31, 2009 in Bezanzon Recital Hall, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Engineered, Edited, and Mastered by Mateuz Zechowski
Produced by Conor Nelson and Ayano Katoaka
Liner Notes by Daniel Lippel and Conor Nelson
Design by Aestheticize Media
Artwork by Angie Piehl
Personnel: Conor Nelson, flute and Ayano Katoaka, percussion
Canadian flutist Conor Nelson gave his New York recital debut at Carnegie Hallʼs Weill Recital Hall and has appeared frequently as soloist and recitalist throughout the United States and abroad. Solo engagements include performances with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and numerous other orchestras. Recent highlights include two recitals in London, England, performances at Carnegie Hallʼs Zankel Hall, the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, and a recital at the Tokyo Opera City Hall that received numerous broadcasts on NHK Television. Dr. Nelson is currently the Assistant Professor of Flute at Bowling Green State University.
http://www.conornelson.comA native of Japan, percussionist Ayano Kataoka has been a seasoned artist of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center since 2006 when she was chosen as the first percussionist for the society’s prestigious residency program, The Bowers Program, a three-season residency program for emerging artists offering high-profile performance opportunities in collaboration with The Chamber Music Society. Together with cellist Yo-Yo Ma at the American Museum of Natural History, Ms. Kataoka gave the world premiere of Bruce Adolphe’s Self Comes to Mind for cello and two percussionists. She presented a solo recital as part of the prestigious B to C (Bach to Contemporary) recital series at Tokyo Opera City Recital Hall. Other highlights of her performances include a theatrical performance of Stravinsky’s Soldier’s Tale at the 92nd Street Y with violinist Jaime Laredo and actors Alan Alda and Noah Wyle, as well as performances of Bartók’s Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion with pianist Emanuel Ax. Her performances can also be heard on the Deutsche Grammophon, Naxos, New World, Bridge, and Albany recording labels. Ms. Kataoka is a full professor of percussion at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she received the Chancellor’s Medal as part of the Distinguished Faculty Lecture Series in 2024. She was a visiting professor at Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln (2023-24), and has been a faculty member at Yellow Barn’s Young Artist Program and Sō Percussion Summer Institute at Princeton University.
https://ayanokataoka.com/"The Conor and Ayano Duo present a vibrant, intricate release with pop sensibilities, delicate timbres and extended techniques.The flute and keyboard percussion duets explore folk and world music. Dennis Desantis's Breaking Training has very approachable melodies in the flute on top of simple, repetitive chords in the marimba. Moments of excitement see the flute climbing away from the marimba into its higher register and smaller subdivisions. Chan Ka Nin's Piao uses tender multiphonics in the flute, pedaled vibraphone chords for arrivals, and varied sticking techniques for marimba. The pentatonic harmonies dissolve into new areas as the flute swirls and bends and the marimba arpeggiates. Roshanne Etezady's Hot Water Burn Baby is highly syncopated. The marimba puches out key notes in the fluid flute part. The later portion, however, is pensive and slow. Rolls and long-tones conclude the piece."
American Record Guide, Jan/Feb 2011
New Focus Recordings is an artist-led collective label featuring releases in contemporary creative music of many stripes, as well as new approaches to older repertoire. The label was founded by guitarist Dan Lippel, composer Peter Gilbert in 2004, and composer/engineer Ryan Streber in 2004, formed …Read More …
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