MIRIAM K. SMITH

"[Smith's] tone is unfailingly warm and confident, and she has a fine sense of melody and phrasing... Smith has substantial talent and real potential..."

Myron Silberstein, Fanfare [November/December 2022]

"These two young master players are clearly enjoying themselves. Miriam Smith is a youngster of 17... You wouldn’t guess her age from hearing her polished, accurate playing. [Smith and Miller] work remarkably well together. Both are totally accurate and very polished. Their enjoyment of their work together comes across to us. This is a release that you shouldn’t miss! "

Moore, American Record Guide [July/August 2022]

"A pair of young American musical artists whose careers are rising fast are featured in a program of challenging works that illustrate just how fast rising they are... The proof is in the exceptionally mature grasp of the music that both reveal in the present program of works by Astor Piazzolla, Manuel de Falla, Samuel Barber and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Miss Smith receives the spotlight in this release of recordings on the strength of her extraordinarily beautiful, vibrant tone, but credit Miller for a solid presence as collaborative artist that makes his presence felt in all these program items."

Phil Muse, Atlanta Audio Club [April 2022]

Young American cellist Miriam K. Smith is rapidly gaining recognition as a gifted concert soloist. Smith made her orchestral debut at age 8 playing Joseph Haydn’s Cello Concerto No.1 with the Seven Hills Sinfonietta in Cincinnati, and played Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations in a series of children’s concerts with the Cincinnati Symphony and Louisville Orchestra. She was also a featured soloist with the Wright State Chamber Orchestra, and with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra on a subscription concert, and during summer Concerts on the Square. In addition, she has been a featured soloist with the Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra in Ohio and the 2020 subscription series of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra. While on tour, Smith has given interviews for radio and television, as has taken part in numerous private and public community outreach events. Her first performance of Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor took place with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra for an in-person and live-streamed educational concert, and on the orchestra’s 2021 subscription series. Smith is also active in the chamber music setting, performing recitals and concerts throughout the United States. [ www.miriamksmith.com ]

Pianist Jacob Miller began his music studies at an early age, attending the Interlochen Arts Academy at the age of 14, and several later, The Juilliard School, studying with Julian Martin. While at Juilliard, Miller was sent by the college to the Rohm Music Festival in Kyoto, Japan. He subsequently studied with Frank Chiou at Ohio Wesleyan University, where he won the OWU Concerto Competition, played with the OWU Chamber Orchestra and ultimately received the OWU Music Department’s Performance Award. Miller received his Master’s Degree in piano performance at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, studying under Ran Dank. Miller gave his debut concerto performance in his hometown of Delaware, Ohio, in 2018 playing George Gershwin’s Concerto in F with the Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra. Currently, he teaches piano at Xavier University and works as a Graduate Assistant at the College-Conservatory of Music while maintaining an active performance schedule.
  MANUEL DE FALLA (1876–1946)
SUITE POPULAIRE ESPAGNOLE FOR CELLO AND PIANO
I. El pano moruno
II. Nana
III. Cancion
IV. Polo
V. Asturiana
VI. Jota

ASTOR PIAZZOLLA (1921–1992)
LE GRAND TANGO

SAMUEL BARBER (1910–1981)
SONATA FOR CELLO AND PIANO, OP.6
I. Allegro ma non troppo
II. Adagio
III. Allegro appassionato

PETER ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY (1840–1893)
PEZZO CAPRICCIOSO



MSR Classics