American Anthem: The Music of Samuel Barber & Howard Hanson Ying Quartet & Randall Scarlata

• 1 I. Molto allegro e appassionato 07:31
• 2 II. Molto adagio 06:51
• 3 III. Molto allegro 02:14
• 4 Allegro molto, alla breve 05:09
• 5 I. Un poco adagio 03:18
• 6 II. Andante con moto 02:04
• 7 III. Dance 03:11
• 8 Dover Beach, Op. 3 08:12
• 9 String Quartet, Op. 23 15:12
• 10 Concerto da camera, Op. 7 15:23
• 11 Alleluia 05:25
• Total Runtime 01:14:30

Info for American Anthem: The Music of Samuel Barber & Howard Hanson

American Anthem: The Music of Samuel Barber & Howard Hanson Sono Luminus has come together again with the amazing talent of the Ying Quartet, and is excited to release American Anthem: The Music of Samuel Barber & Howard Hanson. Bringing together musical selections that are truly expressive of the American spirit, this album also includes a selection from American composer Randall Thompson, and features pianist Adam Neiman and baritone Randall Scarlata.

What makes American music American? There have been many answers to that debate, both in music and in words. Samuel Barber was a composer who did not aim to write “American” music. Though Barber was born and raised in West Chester, PA, many observers note that he seemed equally if not more at home in Europe, in particular Italy and England. In fact, Gian Carlo Menotti, his longtime partner, said in an interview that Barber did not believe in being American and was not interested in Americana. Barber himself once criticized other composers’ works saying, “A collage of a little bit of this and that doesn’t make American music American.” And yet, now Barber is considered one of the most celebrated—certainly one of the most performed and recorded—American composers of all.

On the other hand, Howard Hanson has been described by some as, “the greatest protagonist for American music that has ever lived.” Indeed, in addition to his own compositions, Hanson claimed to have premiered over 2000 works by American composers through his Festivals of American Music, first in California and then for many years in Rochester, NY. Though Hanson enjoyed considerable success with his works during his lifetime, his chamber music now is rarely performed. Hanson’s own answer to the question of what American music is was to say that American music is nothing more than music by American composers. On this disc, we are pleased to present the major string quartet works of these two very important figures in American music of the first half of the 20th century.

“American Anthem is a testament to our nation’s great composers, and one of the year’s most powerful chamber-music recordings.” (Strings magazine)

Ying Quartet:
Ayano Ninomiya, violin
Janet Ying, violin
Phillip Ying, viola
David Ying, cello
Adam Neiman, piano
Randall Scarlata, baritone

Recorded at Sono Luminus, Boyce, Virginia - May 15-17, 2012 Producer: Dan Merceruio
Recording Engineer: Daniel Shores
Editing Engineers: Daniel Shores, Dan Merceruio
Mixing Engineer: Daniel Shores
Mastering Engineer: Daniel Shores

The Ying Quartet
occupies a position of unique prominence in the classical music world. They combine brilliantly communicative performances with a fearlessly imaginative view of chamber music in today’s world. Now in their second decade as a quartet, the Yings have established themselves as an ensemble of the highest musical qualifications in their tours across the United States and abroad. Their performances regularly take place in many of the world’s most important concert halls, from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House. At the same time, the Quartet’s belief that concert music can also be a meaningful part of everyday life has also drawn them to perform in settings as diverse as the workplace, schools, juvenile prisons and the White House. In fact the Ying Quartet’s constant quest to explore the creative possibilities of the string quartet has led them to an unusually diverse array of musical projects and interests.

Booklet for American Anthem: The Music of Samuel Barber & Howard Hanson