November 04, 2004

JACK GOTTLIEB CD from Milken Archive

JACK GOTTLIEB (Naxos ID 8.559433)
World Premiere Recording of Love Songs for Sabbath and Other Sabbath Compositions
Two Choral Psalm Cycles: Shout for Joy and Psalmistry
Featuring Narration by Tony-Nominated Actress Tovah Feldshuh

"...varied in mood, from joyous to serene."

— Dallas Morning News

This CD of works by award-winning contemporary composer Jack Gottlieb illustrates the fascinating interplay between Jewish religious texts and American musical idioms so emblematic of the Jewish experience in this country. Mr. Gottlieb, who served as Leonard Bernstein's assistant at the New York Philharmonic and is considered a leading authority on Bernstein's music, has woven elements of his Jewish heritage, American popular music, and the Western classical tradition throughout his creative endeavors.

For details about this CD, go to http://www.milkenarchive.org/cds/cds.taf?cdid=29

This new CD features seven works in two contrasting styles: contemplative settings of Sabbath prayers for home and synagogue balanced by lively choral pieces based on Psalm texts that celebrate life. These compositions embody Jack Gottlieb's eclectic musical style, which is marked by pungent rhythms, inventive harmonies and a typically American directness and, at the same time, reflects the influence of Jewish musical traditions and the cadences of the Hebrew language. Scored for vocal soloists, choir, organ and a variety of brass, percussion and jazz ensembles, they are sung in English and Hebrew, with readings in English.

Included is the world-premiere recording of Love Songs for Sabbath, a deeply personal setting of the Sabbath liturgy that combines the spoken word with music. The speaker is celebrated actress Tovah Feldshuh, winner of four Tony nominations for Best Actress, four Drama Desk, and numerous other awards, who is also heard in Three Candle Blessings—traditional prayers to welcome the Sabbath. A third Sabbath work, Shalom Aleikhem with Candle Blessing, combines the traditional blessing with a beloved Sabbath hymn.

Jack Gottlieb's embrace of classical and popular idioms is apparent in Psalmistry and Shout for Joy—animated, jazz-influenced choral works based on Psalm texts. Also included on this October Milken release are Set Me as a Seal, with text from the Song of Songs, and Y'varehk'kha, a setting of the Priestly Blessing.

In addition to reader Tovah Feldshuh, other featured artists are Cantor Robert Abelson, Rachel Gottlieb and Cheryl Bensman Rowe, sopranos; Kirsten Chavez, mezzo-soprano; Karl Dent and Neil Farrell, tenors; John Haspel Gilbert, violin; Harry Huff, organ; Carolina Chamber Chorale and the Southern Chorale, University of Southern Mississippi, Timothy Koch, conductor; Metropolitan Brass Ensemble, the New York Motet Choir, Stephen Sturk, conductor; and Choir of Texas Tech University, Kenneth Davis, conductor.

Posted by jmwc at November 4, 2004 02:24 PM | TrackBack