What ABLAZE was looking for were simply two things as we approached this first Millennial Masters volume: great compositions and excellent performances that were well recorded. We were stunned at the level of the submissions and first disc features music of superb composers from the USA, Greece, Ukraine and China. Stephen Yip was awarded a place on the disc for his stunning, evocative In the Garden for a small mixed ensemble. David Lipten's muscular, yet elegant set of piano pieces Best Served Cold, Ever Since and Snap won not only because they are marvelous compositions, but because of the tremendously lucid and effortless performances by Mark Tollefsen. The solo oboe work Progressions by Greek composer Michael Travlos brought an exciting, virtuosic dimension to the competition and a compositional voice that we believe deserves to be heard more in the United States and world over. Leading Ukrainian composer Igor Shcherbakov won a place on the disc for his luminous, emotional and virtuosic Piano-Gesang. His authoritative approach to piano writing coupled with a musical language that is forward looking yet with deep roots in the strong traditions of his culture were very impressive to us. Finally, we were delighted and captivated by Jeff Nichols' le trombe d'oro della solarità. This work is so inventive and marked by a fluidity, grace and power from the small instrumental ensemble comprised of the very best performers New York City has to offer. All of this collection of great works, tremendous performers and wonderful recordings were mastered by the superb Grammy Award winning mastering engineer, Silas Brown.

When it comes to new music, quality audio, great performances and bold, dramatic, original conceptions, you don't have to look any further than ABLAZE Records.

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In The Garden by Stephen Yip

ABLAZE Records is a company based in Australia and the USA dedicated to the recording, distribution and promotion of work by living composers and performers.

ABLAZE Records values high quality recordings and production of discs through traditional and web-based media. 

In The Garden by Stephen Yip

AblazeRecords