Release Date: 11 February 2022
Psappha has enjoyed a lengthy and fruitful collaboration with Steven Mackey, the pioneering American composer, guitarist and Professor of Music at Princeton University. Their association reaches another milestone in this recording of Mackey’s Micro-Concerto, Five Animated Shorts, and Busted, conducted by Nicholas Kok, and featuring the group’s Artistic Director and percussionist, Tim Williams.
Speaking about his work with Psappha Steven Mackey says: “Nothing is more gratifying to me than to travel across the Atlantic to work with musicians from backgrounds and accents different from mine, and to feel immediately that they 'get' my music, that they feel the rhythm. That was my experience with Psappha from the first rehearsal I attended...This recording is all about rhythm - as one would expect from a percussion solo, percussion concerto and a work that features cimbalom.
That is not to say that nothing else matters but rather that the thrust of the harmonies, lines and timbral combinations gives the rhythm a very particular character.” Tim Williams, Psappha’s Artistic Director and percussionist added: “Psappha first worked with Steve in 1997 as part of an American Series we presented in Manchester in which he was both soloists and composer.
There was a special chemistry between Steve and the ensemble and we have worked together regularly ever since." After its initial release in 2010, Steve Mackey's album is being reissued as part of Psappha's new partnership with the label NMC Recordings, which coincides with the 30th anniversary of the ensemble.
Tim Williams percussion
Nicholas Kok conductor
Conrad Marshall flute
Dov Goldberg clarinet
Richard Casey piano
David Routledge violin
Jennifer Langridge cello
AUDIO
RECORDING CREDITS
The recording was recorded in the Great Hall in Lancaster University and the Parish Church of All Saints Glossop, Derbyshire.
TIM WILLIAMS Executive Producer
STEVEN MACKEY Session Producer (Micro-Concerto and Busted)
DOUGLAS WHATES Engineer / Producer (Micro-Concerto and Five Animated Shorts)
MIKE SKEET Engineer (Busted) / Mastering
Release Date: 11 February 2022
Cat No. PSA1004