It’s time for the finest new music that came to our earholes, slightly aged, from April 2022. Listen to a new work by NY-based English composer Jane Antonia Cornish for four or six multi-layered pianos, as played by new music multi-directional flex pianist Vicky Chow, along with Ukrainian sound artist Heinali and Canadian composer Jonathan Kawchuk.
There’s new music meditating on our connection to nature, and how it can “move us to an inner stillness and awaken the creative impulse” from English composer Jane Antonia Cornish’s 2022 record, Sierra, (Roulette program notes). Listen to a reflective and subtle work, “Sky” for multiple layers of pianos, as played by the versatile and talented Vicky Chow, who is a world-class soloist, collaborator, educator, mentor, and a member of Bang on a Can All-Stars.
Then, hear a live performance of electronic music by Heinali, improvised on a modular synth in a bomb shelter in Lviv in early April 2022. Heinali is the moniker of Ukrainian composer and sound-artist Oleh Shpudeiko who also writes music for games, films, performances, and creates sound art installations. There’s also music by Berlin-based Trumpeter and keyboard player Sebastian Studnitzky from his new album, Nocturnal. This single, “Omara,” was released with a link to donate for emergency aid to Ukraine.
Also, listen to processed and collaged natural and found sound by Canadian composer Jonathan Kawchuk, who is also a field recordist and sound artist. His work, “Syrinx,” takes the larynx of a bird, recordings of mountain life and a lone voice, with breathwork. There’s also an arrangement of Laurie Anderson’s work, “O Superman,” by Barcelona-based duo Ō’Ō, whose name refers to a type of now- extinct songbird of Kaua’i. That, and more. - Caryn Havlik
Program #4617, April 2022 New Releases (First aired 5/2/22)
ARTIST: Vicky Chow
WORK: Jane Antonia Cornish: Sky [1:18]
RECORDING: Jane Antonia Cornish: Sierra
SOURCE: Cantaloupe Music
INFO: janeantoniacornish.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Sebastian Studnitzky
WORK: Omara [8:00]
RECORDING: Nocturnal
SOURCE: X Jazz Music
INFO: https://orcd.co/nocturnal
ARTIST: Heinali
WORK: Improvisation [12:25]
RECORDING: Live in a bomb shelter, April 2, 2022
SOURCE: Instagram; @heinalimusic
INFO: heinali.info | heinali.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Vicky Chow
WORK: Jane Antonia Cornish: Sky [8:13]
RECORDING: Jane Antonia Cornish: Sierra
SOURCE: Cantaloupe Music
INFO: janeantoniacornish.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Jonathan Kawchuk
WORK: Syrinx [4:06]
RECORDING: Everywhen
SOURCE: Paper Bag Records, due out June 10
INFO: paperbagrecords.com/jonathan-kawchuk-1
ARTIST: O'o
WORK: Laurie Anderson: O Superman [5:01]
RECORDING: Touche
SOURCE: InFiné
INFO: infine-music.com
ARTIST: Becca Stevens, Attacca Quartet
WORK: Tillery, arr. Timo Andres [5:42]
RECORDING: Becca Stevens | Attacca Quartet
SOURCE: GroundUP Music
INFO: groundupmusic.net/artists/beccastevensattaccaquartet