Andrew Imbrie
Requiem, Piano Concerto No. 3
BRIDGE 9091

2000 Grammy Nominee: Best Contemporary Composition
Fanfare: Critic's Choice, Best of Year

This release offers world premiere recordings of two major compositions by the masterful Andrew Imbrie, a student of Roger Sessions at Princeton. Imbrie's Requiem was written as a response to the sudden death of his son in1981. It is a deeply moving work of prodigious accomplishment, setting traditional liturgy alongside commentary in the form of poetry by William Blake. It may be considered one of the few truly great 20th Century American choral works. His Piano Concerto No. 3 was composed for Alan Feinberg and the Riverside Symphony, who perform the piece here. It occupied two years of the composer's life, and contains a wealth of rich musical thought. The opening is suggested by the insistent background of taxi horns in New York City, according to the composer, and the high intensity of the work, and this performance, constantly remind the listener of the musical energy levels of our urban environs.

Reviews:

“George Rothman gives awesomely assured performances of this difficult music…Alan Feinberg is beyond praise, as are the contributions of soprano Lisa Saffer and the New York Virtuoso Singers in the Requiem...” - Fanfare

“Imbrie’s Third Piano Concerto from 1991 is a major work...It is superbly written...The performance is gripping, with Alan Feinberg delivering a staggeringly impressive account of the solo part. The recording is excellent...” - Billboard

“Here is an occasion for rejoicing: the first new recording of major choral and orchestral works by Andrew Imbrie in more than two decades...George Rothman, the Riverside Symphony...and the New York Virtuoso Singers, are superb, as is soprano Lisa Saffer. Pianist Alan Feinberg plays with commanding authority and revealing nuance...This is altogether one of the most rewarding and significant recordings of 1999.” - American Record Guide