JAMES ACKLEY

LIRICO LATINO

LIRICO LATINO

Songs for Solo Trumpet

JAMES ACKLEY, trumpet
Rebecca Wilt, Piano; Will Perez Piano;
Esteban Arrufat Percussion


[MS1246]

$14.95
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REVIEWS
"Phrasing and interpretation are vital to a top-notch performance of the music on this recording, and Ackley, accompanied brilliantly by pianist Rebecca Wilt, more than meets the task...Ackley plays with a wonderful combination of sensitivity and fervor. Phrases ebb and flow, vibrato is controlled perfectly and without affect, and intensity is achieved without destroying the lyrical nature of these thoughtfully selected songs. Lirico Latino captures the imagination and gives trumpeters another excellent source of inspiration in recital programming."
Kevin Scully, ITG Journal - January 2008
"All that is needed [here] is a beautiful tone and lots of heart, and Ackley has plenty of both. The Latin flavors are found in the piano parts, played by Rebecca Wilt with subtlety, ease, and flair."
American Record Guide - March / April 2007
PROGRAM NOTES
While searching for a new project, I kept returning to the idea of recording Latin American music.  I developed a sincere love and admiration for the music and culture while performing with various Latino groups and living in Latin America.  My wife and I still converse in Spanish to this day and we regularly visit family in Mexico, keeping us immersed in the richness of the culture.  I couldn’t resist recording melodies that have touched me in such an inspiring way.  Although not your typical trumpet recording, with the flashy double tonguing and quick technique, this recording shows the absolute beauty and versatility of the instrument that seduced me many years ago.
 
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Virtuoso trumpeter James Ackley has received international acclaim as a trumpet solo artist performing with numerous orchestras, wind ensembles and chamber groups throughout the United States of America, México, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Germany, Italy, and France.  Ackley has also frequently performed as a recitalist throughout North and South America and Europe.  Venezuelan critics hailed James as "one of the best trumpet players in the world."  He is represented by Andes International Management.
 
Ackley received his Bachelor of Music in performance from Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music and his Master of Music in performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music.  Former teachers include Michael Sachs, James Darling, Mary Squire and Eugene Blee.  Having served as Associate Professor of Music at the University of Connecticut for six years, Ackley will hold the same position at the University of South Carolina’s School of Music in Fall 2007. Formerly principal trumpet and soloist of the Bogotá Philharmonic, Ackley has held positions as principal trumpet with orchestras throughout México, the United States and South America. Presently, he holds the position of principal trumpet with the New Britain & Bristol Symphony Orchestras.
 
Ackley has performed with Francisco Rettig, Enrique de Patron, Placido Domingo, Fito Paez, Eddie Martinez, James Levine, Zubin Mehta, Leonard Bernstein, Christoph Eschenbach, and JahJa Ling.  He has collaborated with notable modern composers such as Karim Al-Zand (Concertino for Trumpet and Orchestra), Robert J. Bradshaw (Sonata for Trumpet) and Cherilee Wadsworth-Walker (Suite for Unaccompanied Trumpet).  He performed Bradshaw's Sonata at the 2004 International Trumpet Guild Conference and Al-Zand's Concertino at Carnegie Hall.  Ackley has appeared as a guest artist on the "Music for Everyone" program of the Bogotá Philharmonic and on several national television programs of Paraguay, Venezuela, Ecuador and México.  He has recorded with several orchestras, most notably the Bogotá Philharmonic, as well as numerous television, radio and movie scores. His first solo recording, Recital Music for Trumpet with pianist Elena Kassmann, has received critical acclaim.
 
Ackley maintains an active performance schedule, performing solo recitals and concerts throughout the United States and abroad. He is a founding member of the Avant Brass Quintet and continues his Latin musical interests with The Latin Heartbeat Orchestra salsa ensemble.  All musical arrangements on this recording were arranged by James Ackley and edited by Rebecca Wilt. They are exclusively published under the editorial visage of Cimarron Music Press (www.cimarronmusic.com).
PROGRAM
GUADALUPE TRIGO (1941-1982)
Mi Ciudad (My City)
 
ASTOR PIAZZOLLA (1921-1992) 
Adiós Nonino (Goodbye Nonino)
 
MANUEL MARIA PONCE (1882-1948) 
Balada Mexicana (Mexican Ballad)
 
FERMIN MARIA ÁLVAREZ (1883-1889) 
A Granada (To Granada)
 
ISODORO HERNANDEZ (1883-1889) 
La Madrileña (The girl from Madrid)
 
JOAQUIN RODRIGO VIDRE (1901-1999)
Aranjuez (Aranjuez)
 
JOSE MARIANO PADILLA (1889-1960) 
La de ojos azules (The girl with blue eyes)
 
LUIS ANTONIO CALVO (1884-1945) 
Lejano Azul (Far away blue)
 
ASTOR PIAZZOLLA
Verano Porteño (Buenosaires Summer)
 
JUAN MIGUEL ASENSI (1879-1945) 
Malditos Quereres (Damned Love)
 
FRANCISCO ASENJO BARBIERI (1823-1894)
Lo que está de Dios (That from God)
 
MANUEL MARIA PONCE: 
Estrellita (Little Star)
 
JOAQUIN RODRIGO VIDRE: 
De los Alamos vengo, madre (From the Alamos I come, mother)
 
RAFAEL FERRO GARCIA / JULIO IGLESIAS (b. 1943) 
Abrázame (Embrace me)




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