October 2022  

 Rave Reviews for Derek Bermel's Intonations on Naxos
This showcase of music for different forms and instrument combinations is united by Derek Bermel’s musical curiosity and creative showmanship. Elements of folk and blues permeate traditional classical forms in masterful ways, resulting in a joyous listen. Characterful. ★★★★★
—BBC Music Magazine
Naxos American Classics has released Intonations [Naxos 8.559912], five world-premiere recordings of works for string quartet, electric guitar, solo clarinet and solo violin by internationally acclaimed composer and clarinetist Derek Bermel. The album includes Intonations for string quartet (2016); Ritornello for electric guitar and string quartet (2011); Thracian Sketches for solo clarinet (2003); Violin Etudes (2009-16); and A Short History of the Universe for clarinet and string quartet (2013). Bermel himself plays clarinet on the album; also featured are the acclaimed JACK Quartet, Dutch electric guitarist Wiek Hijmans, and JACK Quartet violinist Christopher Otto in the Etudes. (Also available from Naxos American Classics: Bermel’s Grammy®-nominated and critically acclaimed recording, Migrations, 8.559871.)

In the liner notes for Intonations, Nathan Shields writes of the “deeply personal sensibility running through all [Bermel’s] music, one marked by sly theatricality, deadpan humor, and restless intellectual curiosity.” Bermel’s interests are indeed wide-ranging: his mentors have included the composers Henri Dutilleux, Louis Andriessen and William Bolcom; he has traveled to Bulgaria to study Thracian folk music, Ghana to study the Lobi xylophone, and Brazil to study the caxixi; and he has collaborated with adventurous musicians from Midori to Wynton Marsalis and Stephen Sondheim to Luciana Souza and rapper Yasiin Bey (Mos Def).
                 Sample the recording at Naxos.com

CRITICAL PRAISE FOR INTONATIONS
“Intonations is an arresting portrait, not only for its kaleidoscopic range but for the sheer breadth of Bermel's imagination and interests… There's nothing, it seems, he can't do and no musical subject matter he's incapable of tackling.”
—Textura

"Dive in: this is one of the most absorbing albums of new music I’ve encountered in months. Performances and sound quality are excellent."
—Graham Rickson, The Arts Desk

"'Death and the Maiden' meets R2D2, and into the multiverse we go."
—Max Christie, The Whole Note Magazine

“This is a compelling, nuanced, virtuosic collection from all involved. For Bermel fans, Intonations is a must."
—Jonathan Blumhofer, The Arts Fuse

“The music is created and performed in such an exceptional manner that Bermel has almost done the unthinkable. His music expands classical music's intonation system in an audience friendly manner.”
—Brutal New Music

"Throughout this engaging triptych, the sound of the blues is dominant, in the central Homily descending to near-unbearable anguish ahead of the more boisterous finale Hustle." 
—Guy Rickards, Gramophone, on the title work 
            Order Intonations on Amazon, Apple Music
peermusic classical
classicalpromotion@peermusic.com
152 west 57th street
10th Floor
New York, NY 10019
tel: (212) 265-3910, x.117
peermusic classical peermusic classical on Facebook peermusic classical on Twitter
Manage your preferences | Opt out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
152 W. 57th Street 10th Floor
New York, NY | 10019 United States
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
Subscribe to our email list.