ENHAKE

“enhakē captures the hearts of listeners, yet again, with their fourth audio release, Child’s Play. Every aspect of this album is stunning, ranging from the impeccable technical prowess of ensemble members, the selection of repertoire to the album artwork, and even sound production. While this is what listeners have come to expect from enhakē, they not only meet but exceed all previous expectations… Without hesitation, Child’s Play will be featured on my 2023 Want List and comes highly recommended.”

Natalie Szabo, Fanfare [May/June 2023]

“This is that rare CD which will appeal to both musically attuned children and adults… an imaginative program beautifully played. Recording quality is excellent, and I have already commented on the thorough program notes. Strongly recommended.”

Henry Fogel, Fanfare [May/June 2023]

"The playing is solid and the program is enjoyable... The arrangements are well crafted and idiomatic; and while the newer scores indulge in some modernist language and mannerisms as expected, both composers paint vivid and meaningful pictures... Enhake offers marvelous balance, blend, and sensitivity all through; and the group excels in lyrical passages, where each member gives the music exactly what it needs... the album introduces some wonderful ideas and possibilities for a medium that is sometimes overlooked."

Hanudel, American Record Guide [November/December 2022]

"The musicianship of the group is outstanding throughout..."

Joel C. Thompson, Cherry Grove Music Review [November 2022]

"This mixture of familiar and unfamiliar music works unusually well, and the playing is so fine that the disc provides enjoyment not only through what is performed but also because of how the pieces are presented."

Mark J. Estren, InfoDad [September 2022]

“Child’s Play” is the title of an engaging release by [enhakē]... they play with a refreshing zest that’s hard to resist. More than that, they give us the distinct impression that music-making can be fun... The indescribable beauty of [Seventh Day of the Seventh Moon by Edward Knight] in its cool and warm measures admirably serves the retelling of a timeless story... [Glière's Berceuse] is remarkably warm and moving, allowing all the members of enhakē an opportunity to make telling contributions."

Phil Muse, Atlanta Audio Club [September 2022]

“[enhakē exhibits] playing of the very highest caliber”

Fanfare

“keen instinct for exciting programmes”

BBC Music

Possessing a knack for adventurous yet accessible programming, enhakē (in-HA-kee) has consistently distinguished itself with performances of startling intensity. Drawing its name from the Seminole (Creek) word for sound or call, enhakē has been praised for their distinctive instrumentation – clarinet, violin, cello and piano – that allows them the flexibility to perform repertoire from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras as well as today’s most captivating contemporary works. The grand-prize winner of the Yellow Springs Chamber Music Competition (2009), gold medalist of the International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition at Carnegie Hall (2008) and finalist of the Osaka International Chamber Music Competition (2011), enhakē has successfully toured on three continents at important venues and events, including Carnegie Hall, OK Mozart Festival, South Korea’s Young-San Arts Hall, Pan-Music Festival at the Seoul Arts Center and the Promising Artists of the 21st Century Series in Costa Rica under the auspices of the US Department of State and Costa Rica – North America Cultural Center. They have also been the ensemble-in-residence for the Albany Symphony Orchestra in Georgia and Tallahassee Youth Orchestras. Strong advocates for new music, enhakē has had works written for and/or dedicated to them by many of the world’s leading composers, including Edward Knight, Libby Larsen, Peter Lieuwen, SiHyun Uhm and Ellen Taaffe Zwilich. The quartet’s members are all dedicated educators, having held posts at universities in Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Mississippi, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. In addition, they have been on faculty at the Chapel Hill International Chamber Music Workshop in North Carolina, Music in the Mountains Conservatory in Colorado and in Michigan at the Interlochen Center for the Arts and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. As a group, they have released well-received albums for the MSR Classics, Naxos and Emeritus labels. [ www.enhake.org ] JOHANNES BRAHMS (1833-1897)
FÜNF LIEDER, OP.49 (1868)
I. Am Sonntag morgen (On Sunday Morning)
II. An ein Veilchen (To a Violet)
III. Sehnsucht (Yearning)
IV. Wiegenlied (Lullaby)
V. Abenddämmerung (Twilight)

SIHYUN UHM (b.1999)
CIRCUS SUITE (2014 / 2020)
I. Monkey
II. Clown
III. Trapeze
IV. Lion

EDWARD KNIGHT (b.1961)
SEVENTH DAY OF THE SEVENTH MOON (2010)
I. On the Banks of the Silver River
II. Two Hearts
III. Exile
IV. Bridge of Wings – attacca
V. Once a Year

MAURICE RAVEL (1875-1937)
MA MÈRE L’OYE (MOTHER GOOSE SUITE) (1910)
I. Pavane de la Belle au bois dormant: Lent (Pavane of Sleeping Beauty)
II. Petit Poucet: Très modéré (Little Tom Thumb / Hop-o’-My-Thumb)
III. Laideronnette, impératrice des pagodes: Mouvement de marche
(Little Ugly Girl, Empress of the Pagodas)
IV. Les entretiens de la belle et de la bête: Mouvement de valse très modéré
(Conversation of Beauty and the Beast)
V. Le jardin féerique: Lent et grave (The Fairy Garden)

REINHOLD GLIÈRE (1875-1956)
CRADLE SONG (1909)


ARRANGED BY M. BRENT WILLIAMS [Brahms, Ravel and Gliere]
WRITTEN FOR AND DEDICATED TO ENHAKĒ [Uhm and Knight]
 

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Recorded 3-7 August 2021 at the Beall Concert Hall at the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance. Produced by Brian McWhorter. Recorded, edited, mixed and mastered by Lance Miller, Galahad Productions, Eugene, Oregon.
 



MSR Classics