Display Ad in Listen Magazine for 'Russian Viola Sonatas' of Eliesha Nelson & Glen Inanga

[Russian Viola Sonatas; Eliesha Nelson, viola; Glen Inanga, piano; Sono Luminus DSL-92136 (2011) (71:02)]

AfriClassical wrote on July 30, 2011: “Violist Eliesha Nelson & Pianist Glen Inanga Make Strong Case for Varvara Gaigerova, Alexander Winkler & Paul Juon.” Shortly thereafter, on Aug. 12, 2011 AfriClassical posted: “ClassicsOnline.com: 'Russian Viola Sonatas explores important, compelling viola literature not commonly heard on other releases.'”

We have listened to the recording many times. As we expected on first hearing, the CD of Eliesha Nelson and Glen Inanga has deepened our appreciation for Russian Romantic repertoire. It has been a great delight to discover such accomplished composers, unknown to us prior to this release.

The Fall 2011 Issue of the magazine Listen: Life With Classical Music devotes half a page to an advertisement for the recording, released as Sono Luminus DSL-92136 and distributed by Naxos of America. It reads: “GRAMMY® nominated violist Eliesha Nelson teams up with pianist Glen Inanga to present a unique and eclectic program of early 20th century Russian viola masterworks – bridging pre-Revolutionary Russian viola pieces and early Soviet period compositions with 2 world premiere recordings.”

Brahms Cello-Piano Sonatas by Pianist Awadagin Pratt and Cellist Zuill Bailey Released by Telarc

[Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): Works for Cello and Piano; Zuill Bailey, Cello; Awadagin Pratt, Piano; Telarc TEL-32664-02 (2011) (76:51)]

Pianist Awadagin Pratt is a teacher and an active performer, and has appeared frequently in posts on this blog. On Dec. 11, 2010 AfriClassical posted: “Listen Magazine: Awadagin Pratt & Zuill Bailey record Brahms cello-piano sonatas for Telarc.” Pre-release publicity included concert performances of some of the music from the disc, which was officially released March 29, 2011. The two performers played ping-pong at the Meadowmount School of Music in 1986, and in their careers have often appeared together, but have not made a recording together until now.

The major works are the Sonata in E Minor, Op. 38 and the Sonata in F Major, Op. 99. The Brahms disc was the first to be recorded in the new state-of-the-art recording studio at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. Classics Today finds the recording to be a worthy contribution to the repertoire, and recommends it. The total length of the recording is 76:51.

For Awadagin Pratt, a simultaneous recording project has involved the Harlem String Quartet, which will shortly release its CD of piano trios by Judith Lang Zaimont.