ROBERT RAINES

"Some of the sounds and textures are captivating and likely to be unfamiliar to the average listener... If you’re open to hearing a postmodern array of influences brought to this genre, try this album."

Gorman, American Recocrd Guide [July/August 2023]

"...Kokopelli and Requiem, in particular, are well-balanced and musically meaty enough to be worthy of repeated hearings by listeners curious about modern works for flute."

Mark J. Estren, InfoDad [April 2023]

"This album is devoted to flute ensembles that occupy an astonishing frequency range, from the rare contrabass flute to piccolo... The resultant ensemble sounds exotically shimmering and hypnotic. To add to the unique timbre he has created, Raines also calls for marimba and various percussion... The entire program is justified by the spectral originality of A Quickening, which is tuneful, accessibly tonal, and sprung on a shifting rhythmic pulse."

Huntley Dent, Fanfare [March/April 2023]

"A Quickening (2013) and Kokopelli (also 2013) are for flute ensemble and percussion [where the percussive] could easily overwhelm the comparative delicacy of the flute, but using a flute ensemble helps balance the sound. And in both works, Raines does a good job of contrasting the instruments... 
[Kokopelli and Requiem] are well-balanced and musically meaty enough to be worthy of repeated hearings by listeners curious about modern works for flute."

Mark J. Estren, InfoDad [April 2023]

Born in Louisiana in 1954, Robert Raines was raised in New York City’s Greenwich Village by parents active in the arts. Raines attended the High School of Art and Design, and went on to receive a Bachelor of Music in composition and electronic music from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He earned a Master of Music degree in composition from the Shenandoah Conservatory and a Doctorate degree in composition from Florida State University. Parallel careers in music and visual arts followed his early education. Raines’ experience includes working as a guitarist and composer in New York City, during which time he produced and performed on many recordings and performances of jazz, blues and popular music. He has also composed a sizeable body of art music and electronic compositions, and has toured the United States and Europe. His music has been performed and recorded in the United States, Europe and Japan. Raines also achieved professional success in his career as a visual artist, including executive positions at America Online and Time Magazine.
[ www.rainesmusic.com ] ROBERT RAINES (b.1954)

A QUICKENING – Concerto for Flute Ensemble and Percussion (2013)

SEVEN MEMORIES – Suite for Flute Ensemble (2015)

KOKOPELLI for Flute Ensemble and Percussion (2013)

TWO WORLDS for Flute, Piano and Electronics (2019)

ECHOES OF SARAH – A Fantasy in One Movement for Flute Ensemble (2008)

INTO THE ETERNAL for Narrator, Flute Ensemble, Clarinet Trio, Cello

REQUIEM for Piccolo, Flute Ensemble and String Trio (2022)
 



MSR Classics