Raymond Harvey, Alexandra Mascolo-David & Kalamazoo S.O. in 'Francisco Mignone: Fantasias Brasileiras' White Pine Music

[TOP: Francisco Mignone: Fantasias Brasileiras; Alexandra Mascolo-David, pianist; Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra; Raymond Harvey, Conductor; White Pine Music WPM223 (2010) BOTTOM: Raymond Harvey, Music Director and Conductor, Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra]

We have long had an interest in the classical music of Brazil and other countries in South America. For several years we have been listening to Allison Brewster Franzetti's piano CD South American Landscapes; Premier Recordings (1994), which briefly samples the piano works of Francisco Mignone. It was a delight to find a complete recording devoted exclusively to Mignone's Fantasias Brasileiras (Brazilian Fantasies). Full-bodied brass and great rhythmic variety characterize this distinctive recording of Brazilian classical music. The CD is available online for $15 plus shipping. It may be ordered from White Pine Music at: http://music.cmich.edu/resources/white_pine_music/
releases/release.php?id=223

Raymond Harvey is Music Director and Conductor of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. He received B.A. and M.A. degrees from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and graduated from the Yale School of Music with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree. AfriClassical has followed Dr. Harvey with interest for years. The Bio at RaymondHarvey.net tells us: “With an immediately noticeable style that has been described as 'elegant, but suffused with energy,' Raymond Harvey has garnered critical acclaim on symphonic podiums throughout the United States. Now in his eleventh season as Music Director of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Harvey was previously Music Director of the Springfield Symphony in Massachusetts and the Fresno Philharmonic in California.”

Francisco Mignone is considered one of Brazil's three principal composers of classical music in the 20th century, along with Heitor Villa-Lobos and Camargo Guarnieri. The piano soloist is Alexandra Mascolo-David, a Professor at Central Michigan University. She writes in the liner notes:

“For the past 20 years I have centered my research efforts on the piano music of Brazilian composer Francisco Mignone (1897-1986).” “In 2001, after years of surmounting obstacles, I released the compact disc of Mignone's 24 Valsas Brasileiras (Volume 1), and subsequently, in 2007, volume two. Soon after completing the Valsas Brasileiras, I chose to embark on a project of even greater proportions: the recording of Mignone's 4 Fanstasias Brasileiras for piano and orchestra. To do this, in 2007 I applied for and received a Research Excellence Fund Grant from Central Michigan University to record the Fantasias with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Raymond Harvey for the White Pine Music label.”

“In writing the Fantasias, Mignone drew inspiration from the Afro-Brazilian folk tradition and succeeded in combining beautiful African, indigenous, popular, folk, and original melodic formulas with the rhythmic complexity and intensity of drumming.” The recording caught the attention of the classical music staff at WGBH Radio in Boston. The CD features Fantasias Brasileiras Nos. 1-4 (49:01). “Keith's Classical Corner” on WGBH has produced a program which can be heard online on demand: “Alexandra Mascolo-David Plays Mignone's Fantasia No. 4.” Fantasia No. 4 (13:04) is performed in its entirety after a brief introduction.

April 23 Tribute in NYC for Afro-Cuban Composer & Guitarist Leo Brouwer, Born March 1, 1939

[Leo Brouwer]

The Afro-Cuban classical guitarist, conductor and composer Leo Brouwer is profiled at AfriClassical.com. His publisher is Chester Novello, http://www.chesternovello.com. Leo Brouwer was named Juan Leovigildo Brouwer when he came into the world in Havana, Cuba on March 1, 1939. His enormous influence on guitar music in particular and classical music in general is demonstrated by more than a hundred recordings on which he has played, composed or conducted.

Brouwer's compositions reflect classical, Afro-Cuban, jazz and avant-garde influences. The legendary Brazilian guitarist Odair Assad is receiving critical acclaim for his performances of Sonata del Caminante, which was composed by Leo Brouwer for Assad's first solo recording on GHA Records. The composer's many film scores, including Like Water for Chocolate, have brought his music to the attention of a huge audience around the world. Among the perennial audience favorites are Leo Brouwer's arrangements of Beatles tunes for guitar.

Leo Brouwer is one of the most visible figures in classical music. Every day brings stories of new performances, recordings, festivals and even percussion experiments involving his music for guitar and other instruments. To give just one example, the Office of Leo Brouwer organized FestivaLeoBrouwer.com on Feb. 19, 2011 in which the acclaimed instrumentalist Edin Karamazov performed works of J.S. Bach and Leo Brouwer in a basilica in Havana.

The renowned 92nd Street Y of New York City has announced plans for a tribute to Leo Brouwer on April 23, 2011:

“Saturday, April 23, 2011, 8pm

“Benjamin Verdery, artistic director

Additional artists to be announced

“The series ends with a succession of guitarists saluting the beloved Cuban composer/guitarist Leo Brouwer (b. 1939). His works have become standards and some were written specifically for tonight's artists, making this a particularly personal and joyous celebration.

“Pre-concert talk at 7 pm with Benjamin Verdery of Yale University. Subscribe and Save! This event can also be purchased as part of the following subscription(s): Art of the Guitar-Series Subscription.”