CRIMSON DUO

• Nino Rota: Sonata for Violin and Harp (transcribed from Flute)

"This Crimson Duo disc has fine sound that equalizes the levels of violin and harp. The playing is sensitive and virtuosic as well... you would enjoy owning [this CD]."

Maria Nockin, Fanfare [November/December 2019]

"The unfamiliar sound combination of violin and harp is a major attraction on a new MSR Classics release... Violin and Harp Music by Patricio Da Silva offers a series of interesting contrasts and provides both violin and harp with opportunities for some virtuoso showcasing... [the Sonata for Flute and Harp by Nino Rota] gives Matt Milewski and Jaymee Haefner plenty of chances to blend their respective sounds with skill and beauty."

Mark J. Estren, InfoDad [June 2019]

"Caviar for the ears, a rare and delightful, tasty and tangy complement to a cocktail party, came to me as I first listened to 'Renderings: A Musical Landscape for Violin and Harp'... The music is thoughtfully composed and sensually played “tête–à–tête” in a conversation between the harp and violin... A listener may benefit from more than one listening to this recording to fully appreciate its overall content, which also involves engagement with nature and inspiration from scenic photographs [in the booklet]."

Joel C. Thompson, Cherry Grove Music Review [June 2019]

ABOUT THIS RECORDING
One of the primary driving forces behind the creation of the Crimson Duo was an interest in promoting new compositions; another was linking the music with nature. In pursuit of that goal, Crimson has commissioned several new works with the request that the composers select images from the portfolio of photographer Luke Mislinski which represent the aural “image” of their work. Mislinski’s work is often displayed at Crimson Duo concert performances, making it ideal for pairing with the new music. Listeners should absorb the visual art alongside the recordings; each piece is rendered through the photographs. Their stories are symbiotic—each complementing the other.

CRIMSON DUO began as a chamber music project when Matthew Milewski and Jaymee Haefner performed at the Crested Butte Music Festival in Colorado. The Duo made their New York City debut at the 2012 American Harp Society 50th Anniversary National Conference, which led to recital engagements in New Orleans, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Colorado, Dallas-Fort Worth and in Hong Kong. Crimson actively promotes new music and, with the support of grants from the American Harp Society and the University of North Texas, has commissioned and premiered several works by highly respected composers. Premieres include duets composed by Libby Larsen, Paul Patterson, and three composers whose works are featured on this recording: Gary Schocker, Patricio da Silva and Kirsten Soriano Broberg. Renderings, the Duo’s second recording, launches a new collaboration with photographer Luke Mislinski, having the goal of fusing visual and aural art forms in the concert setting.

Violinist Matthew Milewski maintains an active career as a performing musician. Currently a member of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, he has previously played with Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra and has been a full-time member of the symphony orchestras of Louisville, Grand Rapids and Charleston. He has also performed with the symphony orchestras of Houston, New Orleans, St. Louis, Kansas City, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Nashville. A dynamic performer, Milewski studied with Julia Bushkova at the Interlochen Arts Academy and attended the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, earning a performance diploma studying with Yuval Yaron. Milewski received his Masters degree from the Manhattan School of Music as part of their laudable orchestral performance program, studying with Glenn Dicterow.

Jaymee Haefner is the Professor of Harp at the University of North Texas College of Music. Haefner has served as the World Harp Congress Treasurer, frequently writes for the Harp Column and published The Legend of Henriette Renié and One Stone to the Building: Henriette Renié’s Life Through Her Works for Harp. She has served on board of the American Harp Society, the American Harp Society Foundation and on the editorial board for the American Harp Journal. Haefner holds Bachelor of Music (BM) and Master of Music (MM) degrees from the Fred Fox School of Music at the University of Arizona and the Doctor of Music (DM) degree from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

www.CrimsonDuo.com
www.ViolinAndHarp.com
www.TheProfessionalHarpist.com
 

---

Photographer Luke Mislinski was born and raised in the prairies of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Being a restless explorer, he has moved every five years since leaving home, now residing in Park City, Utah. Nature plays the central role in Mislinski’s creative inspiration, so he seeks out the wilderness whenever possible. As both a student of science and an avid outdoor enthusiast, he emphatically strives to show how we interact with our environment on an intimate and personal level. Ultimately, Mislinski hopes to inspire others to reconnect with our natural world through a celebration of its beauty. [ www.lukemphoto.zenfolio.com ]
  HENRIETTE RENIÉ (1875-1956)
ANDANTE RELIGIOSO (1895)
SCHERZO-FANTAISIE (1895)

GARY SCHOCKER (b.1959)
STILL/NERVOUS (2017)

PATRICIO DA SILVA (b.1973)
VIOLIN AND HARP MUSIC (2015)
I. West Is This Way
II. We’re Not In Kansas Anymore
III. Hands On

KIRSTEN SORIANO BROBERG (b.1979)
FLUTTER (2017)

NINO ROTA (1911-1979)
SONATA FOR FLUTE AND HARP (1937)
Transcribed for Violin and Harp
I. Allegro molto moderato
II. Andante sostenuto
III. Allegro festoso

MSR Classics