Hunger: The Journey of Tamsen Donner

The tragic western tale of the Donner Party gets a new frame in this chamber opera by composer Tom Baker. The CD is finally being released (after many setbacks) and we are excited to let you know about it. The show was produced in 2008 by the Seattle EXperimental Opera, with Maria Mannisto singing the lead role. The performances on this recording are really special, featuring some of Seattle's finest musicians.


"Powerful. A starkly beautiful, almost unbearably moving chamber opera."

-Paul de Barros, Seattle Times

 Please click on the link to your left to go and listen to samples and buy the CD.

HUNGER tells the tragic tale of the Donner Party through the eyes of Tamsen Donner, the matriarch of that ill-fated group of pioneers. The Donner family and their fellow travelers were determined to make it to the promised land - the California territory. After struggling across the prairie and the desert, losing most of their oxen and cattle, and nearly dying of thirst, they were convinced to modify their route by a hired guide. They reached the Sierra mountains, just miles from their destination, only to be trapped for months by blinding snow and bitter storms. Many perished. Some survived by resorting to cannibalism. They all experienced unimaginable suffering. The music of Tom Baker and the poetry of Ruth Whitman combine to give a moving account of this journey, told through Tamsen Donner's re-imagined words, thoughts and songs.

Yiju

Hello Friends

Wanted to let you know of this beautiful new CD by Seattle composer Byron Au Yong, which just came out on Present Sounds Recordings. It is so great to have Byron aboard the PS ship, and looking forward to more from him in the future. For now, this CD should fulfill all of your wildest imaginings and strange dreams. You will definitely want to check this record out as soon as possible. Luckily, it is easy to do, just click on the album cover over there on your left. Go on, click it. You will feel better immediately.

Coming soon: Hunger - The Journey of Tamsen Donner

Happy February!
PS Recordings

Edge: Flute Music from the Periphery of Europe

We are really pleased to announce the release of this new record by Seattle flute virtuoso Paul Taub. It is an honor to have Paul join Present Sounds Recordings for this new CD of music by composers from the former Soviet Union, with a new work for flute and string quartet by the new-music master composer Giya Kancheli.

With music from Armenia, Latvia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Russia, Taub takes us on a wonderful journey through a plethora of style and taste. He is joined on this recording by some of Seattle's finest musicians, and the masterful playing is well worth checking out.

An early review by the Seattle Times:

The music is alternately lyrical, eerie, rambunctious and prankish. It's always adventurous — and always approachable, whether in its beauty or in its stark drama.

For samples or to buy, click the album cover below or to your left.

Enjoy!

Portable Sanctuary NOW AVAILABLE

Hello friends,

Wanted to let you know that the new record by Seattle drummer/composer Paul Kikuchi is available. We are really proud to welcome Paul to Present Sounds, as well as the amazing crew he assembled for this CD - Stuart Dempster, Bill Horist, Jesse Olsen Bay, and Alex Vittum.

From an early review: "With this release, Kikuchi proves once again that he's one of the most interesting composing drummers currently working. His ensembles consistently create some of the most varied and satisfying improvised music one can hear today." - The Stash Dauber


Check out the new record by clicking on the cover to the left... You won't be disappointed.

A busy summer...

Present Sounds is in the midst of a very busy season -- SIX new albums out in 2011. We are very excited about some of our upcoming records, including:

- a new solo cd by violinist/singer/composer Hope Wechkin
- a chamber opera (about the Donner Party) by composer Tom Baker and the Seattle EXperimental Opera
- a new cd by Portable Sanctuary, featuring Paul Kikuchi and Stuart Dempster
- a new cd of modern Eastern European composers by flautist Paul Taub
- our newest upcoming: a cd by Seattle composer Byron Au Yong.

More details on each of these releases as they become available. Hope you can check them out, as well as our full catalogue (to your left...)

Happy Summer!

Present Sounds

PS1101 - Brian Cobb's Campfire Songs

Present Sounds is very excited to release this new song cycle by Seattle composer Brian Cobb. The work transports us back to the pioneering days of the American west, but heard through a highly modernized filter. Featuring some of Seattle's finest performers, and recorded by Doug Haire at Jack Straw Studios, Campfire Songs is a unique CD well worth checking out.

LISTEN AND BUY

Also coming up this spring, a new chamber opera recording of Hunger, the Journey of Tamsen Donner, by Tom Baker and a new CD by Portable Sanctuary featuring Paul Kikuchi and Stuart Dempster.

Campfire Songs

COMING SOON:

Brian Cobb's haunting CD "Campfire Songs" featuring some of Seattle's best musicians and singers. This song cycle brings the listener right down to the campfire, sitting around listening to music with banjo, guitar, violin, clarinet, percussion...

Campfire Songs will be available mid-February. Stay tuned.

Happy listening...

Present Sounds