Northwestern University Cello Ensemble - Shadow, Echo, Memory (2016)

“Beginning with a low hum, choirs of cellos – 45 cellists in the Northwestern University Cello Ensemble, directed by Hans Jorgen Jensen- gradually make their entrances, slowly blooming like a bright golden sun bursting over a mountain range.” (Tom Huizenga, Deceptive Cadence, NPR)

This new release from Sono Luminus is a representation of nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first century music written or arranged for cello ensemble. This varied collection explores the instrument’s power to sing and express, and in this way several of the pieces were written to mimic the human voice. The Northwestern University Cello Ensemble is made up of both current and alumni cello students at the Bienen School of Music. The ensemble has appeared on both The New York Times’ Top 25 Classical Recordings list, as well as The New Yorker’s Top 10 Classical Recordings list.

“…the 45 cellists of the Northwestern University Cello Ensemble, one is reminded by the music not so much of floating in the air but rather of being wrapped in a warm blanket of pure sound.” (Gramophone Magazine)

TRACKLIST

3 Lacquer Prints (Arr. for Cello Ensemble) (Anonymous)
1. 3 Lacquer Prints (Arr. for Cello Ensemble): No. 1. Temple Ceremony 01:49
2. 3 Lacquer Prints (Arr. for Cello Ensemble): No. 2. A Year Passes 01:05
3. 3 Lacquer Prints (Arr. for Cello Ensemble): No. 3. A Burnt Offering 02:33

3 Songs, Op. 7 (Roland Pidoux)
4. 3 Songs, Op. 7: Apres un reve, Op. 7, No. 1 (arr. R. Pidoux for cello ensemble) 03:10

Shadow, Echo, Memory (Michael van der Sloot)
5. Shadow, Echo, Memory 09:48

14 Songs, Op. 34 (Roland Pidoux)
6. 14 Songs, Op. 34: 14 Songs, Op. 34: No. 14. Vocalise (arr. R. Pidoux for cello ensemble) 07:32

Fremd (Anonymous)
7. Fremd: Fremd: Intermezzo (arr. for cello ensemble) 08:50

Ballad (Aaron Jay Kernis)
8. Ballad 08:14

Lux aeterna (arr. for cello ensemble) (György Ligeti)
9. Lux aeterna (arr. for cello ensemble) 08:17

Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor (Gustav Mahler)
10. Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor: Symphony No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor: IV. Adagietto (arr. for cello ensemble) 12:30

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