Music For Winds CD

LIVE PREMIERE RECORDINGS of three contemporary classical works featuring wind instruments by this unique, award-winning American composer!* One of the handful of works available for this combination, DUO for flute and tuba is performed with lots of rhythmic energy by Elizabeth Sadilek and Mark Cox.* Another relative rarity, the CONCERTINO for euphonium and concert band features this noble low brass instrument in a sensitive and vibrant work. Soloist Karl Schultz's performance is dazzling!* Finally, hailed by the Washington Post as "a milestone in the canon of symphonic band literature. . . .a substantial work that transcends cultural barriers;" by author/journalist Sebastian Junger as "a tremendous piece of work;" and by the Omaid Weekly as "a great success for all lovers of peace and prosperity," this is the exciting world premiere performance of David Gaines' acclaimed second symphony, THE LION OF PANJSHIR, written in honor of the slain Afghan resistance leader, Ahmad Shah Massoud.......Narrated by the former mujahedeen fighter, Massoud confidant, and current ambassador of Afghanistan to Japan, Haron Amin.....Full information on THE LION OF PANJSHIR is available at www.davidgaines.org/panjshir.htmlA diverse and captivating collection of music for winds! If you enjoy Alan Hovhaness, Paul Hindemith, Ellen Taafe Zwilich, or Aaron Copland, with an international influence as well, give this disc a try. ------DAVID GAINES (b. 1961) has been hailed by a wide variety of critics and other artists for his imaginative orchestrations, the international flavor of his music, and his exploration of new sonorities through unique instrumental combinations while remaining rooted in traditional musical structures:▸ “a captivating performance....a milestone in the canon of symphonic band literature” (Washington Post)▸ “colorful percussion writing....Gaines demonstrates a keen affinity for orchestration. Woodwinds and brass are vividly exploited; percussion applied with as much subtlety as power.” (Baltimore Sun)▸ “I cannot imagine a more powerful mix of words, images, and music....People who know nothing of Massoud or Afghanistan will be stunned by the sheer power of the composition, and people who are familiar with these topics will be reduced to tears....a tremendous piece of work.” (Sebastian Junger, author, “The Perfect Storm,” “A Death In Belmont,” “Fire”)▸ “This is very attractive music....Without ever sounding like a pastiche of styles, Gaines' music succeeds in creating its own approachable style, with impressive lyricism....and a real sense of power and purpose” (Records International)▸ “Wonderful compositions....” (Bay Area Chamber Symphony)▸ “Thank you for writing such beautiful music for the voice.” (Mezzo-soprano Kimball Wheeler, former voice faculty member, California Institute of the Arts) ▸ “extraordinary talents....highly skilled handling of the large structure....a very talented composer” (Loudoun Symphony Orchestra conductor Mark McCoy)▸ “....spiritually uplifting....” (Omaid Weekly)▸ “....Gaines has contributed [a] major work which can hold its own against any other modern symphony....” (EsperantoUSA)▸ “Great stuff!!” (composer David Amram)David Gaines grew up in Stamford, Connecticut and was a euphonium and bass trombone player in both bands and orchestras (he was principal euphonium of the Connecticut All-State Band for two years), a background that enabled him in later years, as a composer, to champion solo opportunities for low brass instruments. His output includes two symphonies, two euphonium concertos, and a wide variety of chamber, choral, and electronic music. His principal compositions are available on compact discs and digital downloads from MMC Recordings and Verda Stelo Music and are published by Verda Stelo Music. Radio stations across the USA, as well as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and internet music streaming sites, have broadcast these recordings.A graduate of Northwestern University, American University, and Johns Hopkins University's Peabody Conservatory of Music (where he earned a doctoral degree in composition), Dr. Gaines’ teachers included M. William Karlins, Stephen Syverud, Jerzy Sapieyevski, Jean Eichelberger Ivey, and Robert Sirota. He holds the rank of adjunct associate professor at University of Maryland University College. Awards and prizes for his compositions include annual ASCAP Standard Awards since 2000; first prize in the 1997 College Music Society Mid Atlantic Chapter Student Composers Competition; and first prize in the song division of the World Esperanto Association's 1995 International Fine Arts Competition.David Gaines is particularly known around the world as a champion of the international language Esperanto. The "Society and Esperanto" Foundation of Bulgaria named him an Honorary Life Member in 1994, and in 2006 the international organization Muzika Esperanto-Ligo awarded him the title of Honorary President.David Gaines resides in Rockville, Maryland. A composer member of ASCAP and the American Music Center, he is completing a concerto for baritone saxophone and chamber orchestra (for the Seattle saxophonist James DeJoie), to be recorded in Slovakia in May 2008 for a chamber music CD release in 2009.