Peter Scott Lewis - Recordings: Atlantic Crossing/Rhapsodic Images

Atlantic Crossing/Rhapsodic Images

Composer: Peter Scott Lewis
Publisher: Theodore Presser
Cover Photo: Rondal Partridge
Producer: Lapis Island Records: LIR002 © & ℗ 2004

[ indicates Full length audio sample]

TRACK	TITLE	DURATION	FLASH PLAYER	MP3
	Atlantic Crossing	29:39
1.	An Awakening, Bright Morning!	9:39	MP3 Player	N/A
2.	Scenes of Passion, Traveling Music	13:18	MP3 Player
3.	Arrival	6:42	MP3 Player
	Rhapsodic Images	22:28
4.	Rhapsodic Images	18:04	MP3 Player
5.	Epilogue	4:24	MP3 Player	N/A
		Total: 52:15

Performers:
Track 1-3: Kees Hülsmann, violin; Matthew Edwards, piano
Track 4-5: Amy Hiraga, violin; Peter Wyrick, cello; Marc Shapiro, piano

Reviews

The disc contains two of the composer's major efforts. Rhapsodic Images, is an immediately winning work for the conventional complement of a piano trio (piano, violin, and cello). There are moments aplenty of genuine melodic and rhythmic interest that held my attention throughout. (…quite attractive and engaging.)

The piece is played here by a trio of musicians (Amy Hiraga, violin; Peter Wyrick, cello; and Marc Shapiro, piano), all with notable credentials, and all currently members of the San Francisco Symphony.

Kees Hülsmann, who premiered the work (Atlantic Crossing), must surely know the solo violin part inside out. He is a fine artist with a distinguished career and reputation, and I have to assume that his performance of the piece here is beyond question.

Jerry Dubins, Fanfare Magazine

“For me, this is the contemporary discovery of 2004.” Julian Haylock, The Strad
(Complete Review Below)

Atlantic Crossing is Peter Scott Lewis’ 2002 violin and piano version of his 1996 Violin Concerto, originally premiered in Rotterdam by the violinist on this recording, Kees Hülsmann. Cast in four movements, with an extended Lisztian introduction, it’s a work who myriad stylistic points of reference are negotiated here with chameleon-like ease. Late Delian chromaticism colours the more reflective passages of the first movement (An Awakening/Bright Morning!), while the dramatic opening of the finale (Arrival) initially pays homage to Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto, yet continues with music of a tonally free, dancing, Bergian intensity. Hülsmann plays with a Ferras-like jewelled accuracy, employing an extraordinary range of bow pressure, speed, and articulation. This is big-personality playing of exquisite subtlety, which ensures that the music’s post-Romantic gesturing emerges as a compelling narrative. Stunning pianism, too, from Matthew Edwards, is ideally complemented by a high-impact yet atmospheric recording.

Rhapsodic Images was (unusually) a three-way commission from the Bakken, Raphael and Robert Schumann trios. Completed in July of 1998 and scored for traditional piano trio, it is cast in two movements, the first of which is an extended (18-minute) rhapsody which fluctuates hauntingly between soaring lyricism and rhythmic potency. The four-and-a-half minute Epilogue which rounds out the piece is a separate coda that reflects upon the music heard in the previous movement with heart-warming affection. Amy Hiraga and Peter Wyrick, currently members of the San Francisco Symphony, and pianist Marc Shapiro sound intoxicated by the kaleidoscopic iridescence and sheer verve, effortlessly carrying the listener along with them. For me, this is the contemporary discovery of 2004.

Julian Haylock: The Strad, London, England

San Francisco composer Peter Scott Lewis writes music that deftly balances vibrant dissonance and lyrical, slightly post-minimalist textures. It's smart, intricately crafted, and it makes a willing, even urgent appeal to a listener's sensibilities. The two substantial works on this new CD show Lewis at his most ambitious, and the results are gripping and almost deceptively forthright. "Atlantic Crossing," an arrangement for piano and violin of the composer's Second Violin Concerto, boasts a wealth of strong-limbed melody; the performance, by violinist Kees Hülsmann and pianist Matthew Edwards, is fearless. Also included is "Rhapsodic Images," a freer, more overtly ingratiating trio played with wonderful passion by violinist Amy Hiraga, cellist Peter Wyrick and pianist Marc Shapiro (all of the San Francisco Symphony).

Joshua Kosman: Datebook: San Francisco Sunday Chronicle, 11-21-04

Recordings

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Atlantic Crossing/Rhapsodic Images

Composer: Peter Scott Lewis
Publisher: Theodore Presser
Cover Photo: Rondal Partridge
Producer: Lapis Island Records: LIR002 © & ℗ 2004

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Publishers: Theodore Presser and Lapis Island Press
Cover Photo: Rob de Jong
Producer: Lapis Island Records: LIR001 © & ℗ 2003

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Composer: Peter Scott Lewis
Poetry: Robert Sund
Publisher: Theodore Presser
Cover Art: Nathan Oliveira
Producer: New Albion Records: NA079 © & ℗ 1996

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Publisher: Theodore Presser
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Producer: New Albion Records: NA060 © & ℗ 1993

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Distribution:

Lapis Island Records is distributed by Alliance Entertainment and City Hall Record Distribution for physical and Naxos of America for digital. Please see the LIR page for our mission statement and more information. Naxos Records, New Albion Records, and Theodore Presser Company publications are widely distributed throughout the world. Please refer to those companies for any additional information.

Recording Engineer: Robert Shumaker

Donations:

Please note that Lapis Island Records has non-profit status through the San Francisco Study Center, it’s fiscal sponsor. Therefore any funding assistance is welcomed and appreciated. Recent Grant: Argosy Foundation, for River Shining Through CD.

For commissioning new work:

Please contact composer.