Home » Stories » VOCES8 artistic director; Barnaby Smith talks with classical radio about 'Enchanted Isle'

Stories for November 25, 2020

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    Chloe Flower sits down with Celeb Secrets to discuss 'Carol of the Bells' cover for the holiday season
     
    Posted At : November 25, 2020 12:00 AM

    Chloe Flower is ready for the holidays! The dynamic pianist, producer and activist just dropped the music video for her eloquent twist on the ultimate holiday classic "Carol of the Bells" and we can't get enough of it. Once again teaming up with Asian-American female director Deb Tam who shot the music video on film, "Carol of the Bells" delivers a cinematic visual that evokes old Hollywood glamour as it switches from black-and-white to color vignettes.  Taking place in the iconic Grand Prospect Hall in Brooklyn with Great Gatsby glee and high-fashion elegance, Chloe performs with palpable passion at a Steinway & Sons piano as a choir carries the heavenly chorus and ballroom dancers joyfully launch stunning routines.  "I think the part where I dance is my favorite memory because of how scary it was for me.  Every dancer on set was INCREDIBLE, so I felt embarrassed dancing in front of them.  But there was no time to think about it, so I just went into Chloeyonce mode and got it done,"  READ THE Celeb Secrets Q&A & WATCH THE VIDEO

  • Ilan Eshkeri creates original score for BBC One - natural history series 'A Perfect Planet' / About Manchester
     
    Posted At : November 24, 2020 12:00 AM

    Sir David Attenborough's distinctive voice and an original score by award-winning composer Ilan Eshkeri feature in a new four-minute prequel, set against breath-taking scenery from the forthcoming new BBC One blue chip natural history series A Perfect Planet. The ‘sneak peek' prequel will be released globally on TV, social and digital platforms on 23 November at 2pm GMT ahead of the series, which will premiere next year around the world. This brand new series explores the great forces of nature that support, drive and enable life on earth. The first four episodes explore the power of volcanoes, sunlight, weather and oceans. The final episode in the series looks at the dramatic impact of the world's newest force of nature: humans – and what can be done to restore our planet's perfect balance. Award-winning composer Ilan Eshkeri created the music for A Perfect Planet, joining the ranks of Hans Zimmer and Steven Price who have previously created scores for other BBC natural history landmarks. Eshkeri's body of work includes collaborations with Annie Lennox, David Gilmour, Sinead O'Connor and KT Tunstall. Commenting on the project, Eshkeri said: "Creating the music for A Perfect Planet has been a hugely rewarding experience. The series celebrates the extraordinary world we are a part of as well as showing the delicate balance of the systems that support life, and what we need to do to ensure its future stability. It's a message that's very important to me and one that I believe we have a responsibility to engage with – in a way that not only educates but inspires the next generation. This influenced my approach to the music, and set me on an unconventional path. Composing the music for A Perfect Planet has also been enormously challenging – not least because of the unprecedented logistical issues of trying to record an orchestra during the lockdown! I'm grateful to everyone at the BBC and Silverback who supported me and the ideas I threw at them and I hope my music can play a small part in helping to inspire change." READ THE FULL About Manchester ARTICLE

  • KCRW - Rhythm Planet: Autumn Harvest features; The Kanneh-Masons, Ofra Harnoy, and the new Yo-Yo Ma - Kathryn Stott album
     
    Posted At : November 24, 2020 12:00 AM

    This week, we sample a new crop of recent releases along with a few classic sides mixed in. A few new albums starring the cello make the playlist – there's a cello version of Bob Marley's classic "Redemption Song" from the talented family group The Kanneh-Masons; "She's Like the Swallow" from Ofra Harnoy's new album On the Rock; and Yo-Yo Ma's new version of "Over the Rainbow" recorded with pianist Kathryn Stott. SEE THE 89.9KCRW - LOS ANGELES 'Rhythm Planet' PAGE

  • Listen to Bettye LaVette on the Talkhouse Podcast
     
    Posted At : November 24, 2020 12:00 AM

    The soul legend and the indie wunderkind talk releasing music during the pandemic, privilege in the industry, and making Pete Townshend cry. On this week's show, we pair in conversation the artists behind two of 2020's best albums: soul and blues legend Bettye LaVette and indie wunderkind Phoebe Bridgers. Though separated by five decades in age, when the two met backstage at a Tibet House US benefit at Carnegie Hall earlier this year, they immediately developed a mutual friend crush. Now that we've gotten them reconnected here, it appears something very dope is on the horizon… but more on that in the talk! Their warm, freewheeling convo takes in a lot, including: a wonderful overview of a career Bettye calls "tenuous at best"; the unexpected benefits of promoting a new album during the pandemic; and privilege in the music industry. We also get to hear about making Pete Townshend cry, quirky Little Stevie Wonder, and learn the answer to Bettye's query "What is a Princess Nokia?"  (Photo Credit: left, Frank Ockenfels; right, Carol Friedman; Edited by: Keenan Kush) Phoebe Bridgers Talks with Bettye LaVette on the Talkhouse Podcast. LISTEN

  • Rachel Barton Pine and Elliott Forrest to donate lessons in support of battered women and children / The Violin Channel
     
    Posted At : November 24, 2020 12:00 AM

    The American violinist; Rachel Barton Pine is joined by WQXR: NYC broadcaster; Elliott Forrest to give lessons in support of battered women and children. The pair's Zoom classes will be auctioned off online from November 20th-28th as part of a larger fundraiser held by the Los Angeles House of Ruth, a shelter for the abused. Barton Pine, the violinist, will provide a violin-specific course while Forrest, will give two classes on juggling. "We have found over 40 years that our clients who are victims of domestic violence and those who are homeless have one thing in common: They do not have family or friends to help them," Executive Director of the Los Angeles House of Ruth, Jennifer Gaeta, said. "So, we become their family: getting them back on their feet by providing counseling, tutoring, parenting and anger management classes, referrals and so much more prior to transitioning them into section 8 housing for which we have a remarkable 90% success rate." The auction will feature over 100 items and/or experiences. SEE The Violin Channel PAGE

  • Crossover Media projects pick up 16 GRAMMY nominations
     
    Posted At : November 24, 2020 12:00 AM

    Today!! - Tuesday November 24, the Recording Academy announced the nominees for the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards. The nominations were unveiled during a livestream event, with past winners like Dua Lipa, Imogen Heap and Nicola Benedetti presenting alongside Gayle King and Sharon Osbourne. This year Crossover Media represented projects in 16 GRAMMY nominated categories. Here's the list BEST LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALBUM
    Data Lords, Maria Schneider Orchestra BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM
    Four Questions, Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra BEST CONTEMPORARY BLUES ALBUM
    Blackbirds, Bettye LaVette BEST GLOBAL MUSIC ALBUM
    Love Letters, Anoushka Shankar BEST SCORE SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA
    1917, Thomas Newman BEST INSTRUMENTAL COMPOSITION
    "Baby Jack" - Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
    "Sputnik" - Maria Schneider BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM, CLASSICAL
    Hynes: Fields, Devonté Hynes & Third Coast Percussion
    Ives: Complete Symphonies, Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic BEST ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE
    Ives: Complete Symphonies - Los Angeles Philharmonic BEST CHAMBER MUSIC/SMALL ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE
    Hynes: Fields, Devonté Hynes & Third Coast Percussion BEST CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL SOLO
    "Adès: Concerto for Piano and Orchesta" - Boston Symphony Orchestra
    "Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas" -  Igor Levit
    "Destination Rachmaninov - Arrival" - The Philadelphia Orchestra BEST CLASSICAL COMPENDIUM
    Adès Conducts Adès, Mark Stone & Christianne Stotijn; Thomas Adès, conductor; Nick Squire, producer BEST CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL COMPOSITION
    Adès: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, Thomas Adès

  • Elina Duni, Rob Luft, Fred Thomas, Matthieu Michel - Lost Ships makes 'jazzwise: Editor's Choice, December 2020 - Best New Jazz Albums
     
    Posted At : November 23, 2020 12:00 AM

    The Editor's pick of the best new albums reviewed in the December 2020 issue of Jazzwise, featuring Keith Jarrett, Elina Duni & Rob Luft, Mary Halvorson, Rob Mazurek and Sun Ra Arkestra. 'On Lost Ships, guitarist Rob Luft makes his ECM debut and vocalist Elina Duni presents a new ensemble – and the result just happens to be a minor classic. On the strength of this album, Luft, a BBC New Generation Artist and an impressive soloist in ‘jazzy' jazz ensembles – whether it be honouring Monk and Coltrane with saxophonist Dave O'Higgins or in Byron Wallen's Four Corners – seems to have been put on earth to work in tandem with Duni. Implicit in working with such an exceptional talent is subtlety in both technique and conception, of doing the right thing at precisely the right moment, to enable her talent to blossom...'
    - Stuart Nicholson Personell: Elina Duni (v), Rob Luft (g), Fred Thomas (p) and Matthieu Michel (flhn). Rec. February 2020 SEE THE jazzwise PAGE
     

Top 10 for Nov

VOCES8 artistic director; Barnaby Smith talks with classical radio about 'Enchanted Isle'

Posted: March 11, 2019 12:00 AM | By: Admin
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The British vocal ensemble VOCES8 is proud to inspire people through music and share the joy of singing. Touring globally, the group performs an extensive repertory both in its a cappella concerts and in collaborations with leading orchestras, conductors and soloists. Versatility and a celebration of diverse musical expression are central to the ensemble's performance and education ethos. Thier latest Decca Records release; Enchanted Isle is an album reminiscent of rolling hills, green valleys, rugged mountainsides, and sleepy villages. Enchanted Isle features reimagined pieces originally written for film or television (such as Lord of the Ringsand Game of Thrones), new arrangements of Scottish and Irish melodies, and compositions set to texts by great English poets.

In conjunction with the album release; VOCES8 conductor, Barnaby Smith has agreed to discuss with classical networks and stations throughout the US. Watch for our tweets!

Crossover Media Projects with VOCES8

  • VOCES8

    Enchanted Isle

    The British vocal ensemble VOCES8 is proud to inspire people through music and share the joy of singing. Touring globally, the group performs an extensive repertory both in its a cappella concerts and in collaborations with leading orchestras, conductors and soloists. Versatility and a celebration of diverse musical expression are central to the ensemble's performance and education ethos.

    Voces8 releases Enchanted Isle, a new album of music reminiscent of rolling hills, green valleys, rugged mountainsides, and sleepy villages. Enchanted Isle features reimagined pieces originally written for film or television (such as Lord of the Ringsand Game of Thrones), new arrangements of Scottish and Irish melodies, and compositions set to texts by great English poets.

  • VOCES8

    Winter

    Breaking typical expectations of a seasonal album, Voces8's new release Winter paints a portrait of the season through a sparse and powerful aural landscape, invoking a meditative, inspiring feeling of solitude and unity‎. The album includes four world premiere recordings, notably "Winter," written exclusively for the album by award-winning composer Rebecca Dale.

    17 NEW  52 TOTAL
    SYND:     Classical 24, CBC
    Direct: MOOD, AccuRadio 
    Markets include: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, Wash DC, Atlanta, Seattle, Cleveland, Houston, Minneapolis, Portland, Kansas City, Baltimore, Austin, Albuquerque, Berkeley CA, El Paso, Rochester NY, KS(Network), ME(Network), MN(Network), Honolulu
    INTER: Canada, Spain, Romania
    Online: Journeyscapes, Musicas Imaginadas

     

  • VOCES8

    Lux

    British a cappella octet VOCES8 releases their second album for Decca/Universal Music Classics, Lux, available January 27, 2015. The recording features a selection of pieces spanning over 400 years: from Thomas Tallis and Gregorio Allegri to Massive Attack (Teardrop) and Ben Folds (The Luckiest - which appeared on the soundtrack for Richard Curtis's film About Time). The album title ‘Lux' refers to the Latin word ‘light,' which has inspired composers throughout history with the meaning of hope, banishing darkness, and nurturing both the body and the spirit. Voces8's celestial performances on the album prove how few can better evoke the power of light in all its physical, spiritual and mystical guises than the timeless sound of a choir.  In addition to the soothing sound of unaccompanied voices blended in harmony, several tracks feature additions of saxophone, cello, harp and water glasses.

    35 Total
    SYND:     Classical 24, CBC
    Direct: Music Choice, MOOD
    Markets include: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Wash DC, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Denver, St. Louis, Baltimore, Austin, New Orleans, Buffalo, Canada
    Online: ClassicallyHip

  • VOCES8

    Eventide

    One of Britain's most exciting and versatile vocal ensembles, VOCES8, makes their debut on Decca/Universal Music Classics with the release of Eventide. VOCES8 features eight young singers who form one perfect sound while adding a contemporary edge on their new album with original arrangements from plainchant to Paul Mealor and from Saving Private Ryan to Emeli Sandé. Eventide showcases the ensemble's perfectly-blended voices interwoven with haunting melodies for solo cello, harp and saxophone and provides an immersive sonic experience which will soothe, beguile and inspire. Evoking the spirit of Jan Garbarek and the Hilliard Ensemble, VOCES8 and saxophonist Christian Forshaw create their own captivating sound world with arrangements of the ancient Latin hymn Te lucis ante terminum and Tallis's setting of the same text.

    28 New 'ON'  52 TOTAL
    SYND:     PRI/Classical 24
    Direct: Music Choice
    Markets include: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Wash DC, Dallas, Atlanta, Seattle, Cleveland, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Denver, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cincinnati, New Orleans, Detroit, Austin, Memphis, Buffalo, Honolulu
    Online: Taintradio