by Voices of Ascension
Voices of Ascension's newest, Grammy-nominated recording was released June 30, 2009 by Naxos.
Conductor Dennis Keene, Voices of Ascension and organist Mark Kruczek collaborated with pianist and Granados scholar Douglas Riva and Naxos to produce the North American premiere performance and recording of Granados' Cant de les estrelles, Salve Regina, and Escena Religiosa. Cant de les estrelles received its premiere in 1911 at Barcelona's Palau de la Música Catalana with Granados at the keyboard. The manuscript was never published, and was only recovered in 2004 through the efforts of Mr. Riva and Granados biographer Walter Clark, among others. Works by Catalan composers Pau Casals, Enric Morera, Manuel Oltra, and Manuel Blancafort complete the recording.
Artistic Director Dennis Keene describes the work as "hauntingly beautiful. We are thrilled to add Song of the Stars to our repertoire and discography."
"This is an exceptional program, full of rewarding new encounters, very respectably recorded - and especially noteworthy for Manuel Oltra's Eco and Preludio and Granados' often strange and wonderful Cant de les estrelles. Highly recommended!" David Vernier, Classics Today
ABOUT VOICES OF ASCENSION CHORUS AND ORCHESTRA
Voices of Ascension, founded in 1990 and directed by conductor Dennis Keene, presents exceptional performances of great works of music for chorus and orchestra. It sustains a vibrant artistic community of professional vocal and instrumental musicians in New York City through a broad repertory, dynamic programming, and strategic collaborations across the tri-state area. Performances by the Grammy-nominated ensemble have been described as “richly colored, impressive, and beautifully balanced” (Wall Street Journal) and “inspired” (New York Times).
ABOUT DENNIS KEENE
Dennis Keene, Artistic Director and Conductor of Voices of Ascension, is an internationally renowned conductor. Through his concerts and Grammy-nominated recordings with Voices of Ascension, as well as regular guest appearances as conductor and teacher, he has become one of the preeminent figures in choral music today. Recipient of awards for exceptional artistry from The Juilliard School and Chorus America, Dr. Keene has also served on grants panels for the National Endowment for the Arts and New York State Council on the Arts, as well as the board of Chorus America.
ABOUT MUSIC WITH THE MAESTRO LIVE
Over the course of the 2020–2021 season Artistic Director Dennis Keene delves into selected musical works with recorded excerpts and behind-the-scenes insights and stories, including their significance to Voices of Ascension. It all happens live on Zoom. Audience members will also have the opportunity to ask questions.
