We just got word from Naxos that the “street date” of the CD Kiev 2014: Orchestral works by Walter Saul is October 13, 2015, just before the world première of Kiev 2014: Rhapsody for Oboe and Orchestra by the Fresno Philharmonic at Shaghoian Hall in Fresno, California, on Saturday, October 17, 2015, at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, October 18, 2015, at 3:00 pm.
This is rather amazing timing, and quite an answer to prayer. Originally, we were looking at a February, 2016, release date, so to have it moved up just in time for the première is really extraordinary.
So the CD’s, released by the world’s largest label of classical music, will be available to the public for the very first time at the world première performances. The new CD will be part of the “American Classics” series. It includes all of my music for orchestra, dating from 1974-2014.
I must brag about Maestro Theodore Kuchar, who brought all of this to pass and conducts the National Symphony of Ukraine on this album. He is now the most recorded conductor of his generation, having released over 100 CD’s for the Naxos, Brilliant Classics, Ondine and Marco Polo labels. It seems, too, that when you get this amazing conductor on your project, you get his astonishingly accomplished friends as well. James Buswell, who teaches at New England Conservatory and tours the world as violinist, has beautifully created the solo part in the Concerto for Violin and Orchestra. And Rong-Huey Liu, first oboist with the Fresno Philharmonic, takes my breath away with her stunning interpretation of the title work, Kiev 2014: Rhapsody for Oboe and Orchestra. Just to hear these three amazing musicians is alone worth the price of the album; to hear them interpret my music is unspeakably wonderful.
As I think about this accomplishment, steps 9 and 10 of Kiev in 100 Easy Steps come to me.
9) When someone commissions a work from you, rejoice, even if it is not much money. A tiny commission led to the creation of A Christmas Symphony, still one of my favorite works, which is on this CD. Good thing minimum wage laws were not enforced here!
10) In a commissioned work, seek to honor all the requests: the one for tonal music, the one not to be too weird, etc. But then let the Holy Spirit take over; you might be startled at what comes to you, as I was when I created Overture for the Jubilee, also on this CD.
We will talk about these works in greater detail later. For, now, let’s celebrate this new release. I hope to see you at the Fresno Phil concerts in October!