​OCTOBER SKY ENSEMBLE

"...amusing... poignant... And so it goes through this excellent program. Thorsett’s resonant yet penetrating voice delivers very clear diction (texts are included). Kudos also to violinist John Irrera, cellist Alan Weinstein and percussionist Annie Stevens."

American Record Guide [January/February 2024]

“October Skies is quite an interesting CD. I enjoyed the songs… The instrumentalists are skilled and enthusiastic. I found that the tenor, Brian Thorsett, has an admirable technique and a voice that at times reminded me of John McCormack.”

Geoff Pearce, Classical Music Daily [October 2023]

"These artists have a good opportunity to display their expressive style in their new release... [Girtain's] use of folk-style string writing is given a particularly warm treatment by violinist John Irrera and cellist Alan Weinstein, while percussionist Annie Stevens continues to make her welcome presence felt as she has done in numerous places in this album."

Phil Muse, Atlanta Audio Club [Summer 2023]

October Sky is a mixed-instrument chamber ensemble featuring violinist John Irrera, percussionist Annie Stevens, tenor Brian Thorsett and cellist Alan Weinstein. Members of the ensemble have performed both as soloists and as October Sky around the world. The ensemble is actively engaged in the creation of new repertoire for this unique instrumentation and as such actively commissions, performs and records new works as well as fresh arrangements of neglected repertory. Featured composers range from Barbara Strozzi to Hilary Tann, from Daron Hagen to Daniel Levitan, Gala Flagello, and back to Binchois. Highlights include being the commissioning ensemble for the Andrew Yee Composition Competition as well as invited concerts across the United States, Europe, and South America. Based in Blacksburg, Virginia, the members of October Sky are artist-educators at the School of Performing Arts at Virginia Tech. DARON HAGEN
DANTE FRAGMENTS
I. Remember tonight, for it is the start of everything
II. There is no greater sorrow
III. Love insists that the loved love back
 
BRIAN HOLMES
THERE WAS AN OLD MAN
I. There was an Old Man with a beard
II. There was an Old Man of the Isles
III. There was an Old Man with a flute
IV. There was a Young Lady whose chin
V. There was an Old Man from West Dumpett
VI. There was an Old Person of Wick
VII. There was an Old Person of Ischia
VIII. There was an Old Derry Down Derry
 
HILARY TANN
…AGAINST THE SHORE…
 
STACY GARROP
THE SOLITUDE OF STARS
 
MICHAEL SCHERPEREL
MERCILES BEAUTÉ
I. fyrst rondel: Your yën two
II. secounde rondel: So hath your beautè
III. thridde rondel: Sin I fro Love
 
EDGAR GIRTAIN
THREE APPALACHIAN FOLK SONGS  
I. Good Morning, My Pretty Little Miss
II. Barbara Allen
III. The Rocky Mountain Top
 

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Recorded 17-20 May 2021 at Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre, Moss Arts Center, Virginia Polytechnic University. Produced, engineered, edited and mastered by David v.R. Bowles, Swineshead Productions.



MSR Classics