Recorded live in Britton Recital Hall at the University of Michigan


J.S. Bach Chromatic Fantasy in D minor, BWV 903

Recorded live in Britton Recital Hall at the University of Michigan

J.S. Bach Fugue in D minor, BWV 903

Recorded live in concert - Britton Recital Hall, University of Michigan

Frédéric Chopin Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58 - Allegro Maestoso

Recorded live in concert at Britton Recital Hall, University of Michigan

Frédéric Chopin Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58 - Scherzo

Frédéric Chopin Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58 - Largo

Frédéric Chopin Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58 - Finale

Artists throughout the ages have addressed the tale of the holy ascetic St. Anthony the Great's epic sojourn in the desert and his encounters with supernatural demons. Here the epic is presented as a mini piano concerto with the soloist pitted antiphonally against a string quartet, wind quartet, and solo French horn. Constructed in thirteen episodes woven together invoking dreams and nightmares, the music is filled with rhythmic, melodic, and textural details depicting the temptations and philosophical dialogues between St. Anthony (the piano) and his tormentors (winds and strings) with occasional intercessions from the vox clamantis in deserto (solo French horn). St. Anthony was written in ten days of February 2012 for the conductorless Fifth House Ensemble, and premiered a year later.

Recorded March 2013 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago
Sound engineer: Bill Maylone, Producer: Caleb Burhans
Released on Tzadik Label 

John Zorn The Temptations Of St. Anthony

Recorded in Autumn 2013 in CRC studios with Çedille Records; Sound engineer: Bill Maylone, Producer: Judith Sherman
Jani Parsons (pianist) with Fifth House Ensemble

Perpetual Spark, scored for piano, strings and flute/piccolo had its roots as a piano solo, and indeed, the piano plays a crucial role in establishing the rich harmonies and sparkling texture that make this work truly spectacular. Composer Alex Shapiro writes, "Spark was inspired by the life, love, energy and heart of Dale Mara Bershad, a gifted musician who often used her talents to share the joy of musical expression and wonder with young children. As a mother, teacher, and performer, Mara's remarkable inner light cast an indelible glow. Her essence remains radiant and present: a spark from a life filled with passion and delight, burning brightly, intensely, and without end".

By adding strings and flute, a new dimension emerges - a sense of propulsion and lift in the sound, inherent in Shapiro's style, which can only be described as exhilarating. The opening section of Perpetual Spark highlights a florid sixteenth-note pattern in the pianist's right hand, repeated and manipulated to create a constantly changing landscape against longer melodic gestures in the left hand and strings/flute. This gives way to an expressive middle section marked by calm repose while simultaneously reaching forward in all instruments. My favorite marking in the score, "the spark still remains.." occurs as the first section's texture returns with a surge of energy to the finale, bursting with light never to be extinguished.                        -Jani Parsons

"Perpetual Spark" by Alex Shapiro

Pianist Jani Parsons and Oboist Merideth Hite of Lumina Duo

Messiaen Vocalise for Oboe and Piano

"La soirée dans Granada" and "Jardins sous la plume" from Debussy's Estampes are performed by pianist Jani Parsons in a live-concert recording on Sept. 24, 2018 celebrating 100 years since Debussy's death. 

Performance took place at Baylor School of Music in Roxy Grove Hall
Piano: "Sue Getterman" Hamburg Steinway Model D

"Perpetual Spark" by Alex Shapiro

Jani Parsons

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