LISA GARNER SANTA

• Bowen: Flute Sonata - I. Allegro moderato

“...the performers capture the essence of the Bel Canto style [in the Rabboni] with their sensitive interpretation... This performance [of the Martinu Sonata] is done in a refreshingly more lyrical style than the more robust version one often hears of this work.”

Pan Pipes, Sigma Alpha Iota [Spring 2016]

“...a lyrical empathy between Santa and the pianist Nataliya Sukhina is evident throughout.”

Arsenio Orteza, World Magazine [March 2016]

“Lisa Garner Santa plays with a beautiful ease and freedom... aspects of song permeate this program... here is another fine rendition [of the sonata by York Bowen]... the craftsmanship and a performance [of the sonata by Matthew Santa] that I believe leaves almost nothing to be desired... performances that are satisfying and accomplished. Nataliya Sukhina has much to relish in her supporting role. She adds moody sprinkles in the Schwantner and heft in other places; her contribution is balanced perfectly.”

Gorman, American Record Guide [May/June 2016]

"fine playing and an intriguing program... the sound of both Santa's flute and Nataliya Sukhin's graceful piano-playing is, like the performance, lovely and mild."

Laurence Vittes, Gramophone [April 2016]

“...[a] beautiful recording… an eclectic array of compositions... Santa plays each work with a glorious sound, great pitch and rhythm, and with musical intensity, bringing to them a clarity of interpretation to match her conceptual approach... [The Rabboni pieces] are lovely, romantic, operatic and a wonderful addition to romantic flute repertioire... the Sonata by Edwin York Bowen [is] another great addition to our repertoire.”

The Flute View [October 2015]

In selecting the works for this compilation, I intended to explore the internal aspects of shade and light through the aspect of sound. How do we come to terms with, to a place of acceptance of, our own aspects of shadow – whether that be fear or doubt, forgiveness of others or of one’s self, or perhaps anger toward and disappointment in the world? Are there times when shadow is not representative of fear or darkness, but of safety or protection – just as the greenhouse shades the sapling from the brilliance of the full sun? Do we require shadow in order to grow into the radiance of our full expression of self? And, are light and shade ever truly separate aspects, or dependent on each other, intertwined and ever-changing to create the palate of shades that color the sounds of our lives?

Lisa Garner Santa enjoys a diverse career as teacher, recitalist, soloist and chamber musician. Performance highlights include the world premiere of Mike Mower’s Concerto for Flute and Wind Ensemble and a Carnegie Hall recital featuring chamber works for flute. Santa is an active member of the National Flute Association, and has been a featured performer at numerous conventions, served as adjudicator and coordinator for many NFA events and competitions, held membership on the executive committee, and contributed prominently as NFA Program Chair for the 2011 convention. As a pedagogue,  Santa presents performances and master classes throughout the United States and abroad, including exchanges at the Royal College of Music in London, Victoria University in New Zealand, and Peking University in China. She also regularly presents and performs on the faculty of The Panoramic Flutist Symposium in Boulder, Colorado. Currently Artist-Performer and Associate Professor of Flute at Texas Tech University, she is the recipient of numerous teaching awards, most notably TTU’s President’s Excellence in Teaching award. She is also the featured flute specialist on MusicProfessor.com. Santa is  passionate about exploring the links between music performance and pedagogy and Yogic philosophy and practice. As an experienced professional level yoga instructor, she currently teaches the core curriculum course Yoga and the Creative Arts: Philosophy and Practice for the TTU College of Visual and Performing Arts. Santa holds degrees from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University (DMA), Florida State University (MM), and West Texas State University, (BM).
[ www.lisagarnersanta.com ]

Nataliya Sukhina is a sought-after soloist and collaborative pianist with an extensive and diverse repertoire. A prize-winner of international piano competitions in Ukraine, Russia, France and the United States, including 3rd prize at the Fourth International Horowitz Competition, Sukhina joined Texas Tech University’s School of Music in Fall 2012 as a Senior Staff Accompanist. She has participated in international cultural exchange programs with the Aruba Department of Cultural Affairs and the Chinese Music Institute of Peking University. She was also a staff pianist for the Bradetich International Double Bass Solo Competition; 40th  International Trombone Festival; 44th International Horn Symposium; Texas Flute Society; and NSU Flute Workshop where she also presented a clinic titled “Collaborate!” Sukhina has appeared in performances at the Dallas Contemporary Music Festival, Lewisville Lake Concert Series, Chautauqua Institution and most recently with Chamber Music Amarillo. She enjoys working with a wide range of instruments and voices. In addition to classical repertoire, she is an advocate for contemporary music through performances of newly commissioned works, as well as Early Music, through performances on harpsichord, organ and fortepiano. Sukhina holds degrees from the Tchaikovsky National Academy of Music in Kiev, Ukraine (MM) and the University of North Texas (DMA), where she studied with renown pianist Vladimir Viardo.
  JOSEPH SCHWANTNER (b. 1943)
BLACK ANEMONES (1980)

GIUSEPPE RABBONI (1800-1856)
SONATAS FOR FLUTE AND PIANO
Sonata No.14
Sonata No.13
Sonata No.16

EDWIN YORK BOWEN (1884-1961)
FLUTE SONATA, OP.120 (1946)
I. Allegro non troppo
II. Andante piacevole
III. Allegro con fuoco

BOHUSLAV MARTINU (1890-1959)
FIRST SONATA FOR FLUTE AND PIANO (1951)
I. Allegro moderato
II. Adagio
III. Allegro poco moderato

MATTHEW SANTA (b. 1970)
SONATA FOR FLUTE AND PIANO (2007)
I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Presto

JAKE HEGGIE (b. 1961)
SOLILOQUY FOR FLUTE AND PIANO (2011)
 



MSR Classics