Octagon (Volume II)

Octagon New Music Ensemble, Nicole Paiement (conductor), Zelman Bokser (conductor)

Catalog #: TROY0133
Release Date: January 1, 1995
Format: Digital
Chamber

Octagon is the new music ensemble of the University of California. It offers an important opportunity to young composers and performers in the UC system. The group creates a pre-professional opportunity to explore a large body of new literature from composers at the University of California. The works chosen for performances represent a broad spectrum of styles from the most experimental to the most traditional. The ensemble tours annually throughout the University of California system and elsewhere.

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Track Listing

Title Composer Performer
Forest Echoes Brian Banks Octagon Ensemble, Nicole Paiement and Zelman Bokser, conductors
Crazy Jay Blue Kevin Doe Octagon Ensemble, Nicole Paiement and Zelman Bokser, conductors
Totem Erik Jespersen Octagon Ensemble, Nicole Paiement and Zelman Bokser, conductors
A Lullaby Timothy Melbinger Octagon Ensemble, Nicole Paiement and Zelman Bokser, conductors
Archery David Pereira Octagon Ensemble, Nicole Paiement and Zelman Bokser, conductors
Columbine Eric Sawyer Octagon Ensemble, Nicole Paiement and Zelman Bokser, conductors
Duo for Viola and Cello Jon Vogl Octagon Ensemble, Nicole Paiement and Zelman Bokser, conductors

Reviews

  • "These two discs (133 & 130) assemble works by fourteen young composers, scored for a variety of forces: the players listed on the back of the discs cover flutes, clarinets, bassoon, horn, percussion, voice, and strings. It's obviously an immensely valuable undertaking, and is an endeavor that should be widely emulated elsewhere; and Albany's adventurous involvement in the project should also be clamorously applauded. The trouble lies in the music itself. Although more or less every piece seems capably enough written, all the composers more than able to produce atmosphere and color, that seems to be the principal aim of all of them. Though, almost without exception, I enjoyed the music as it went past, I found little to remember afterward."

    – Fanfare

*Album cover provided for Editorial use only. ©Albany Records. The Albany Imprint is a registered trademark of PARMA Recordings LLC. The views and opinions expressed in this media are those of the artist and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions held by PARMA Recordings LLC and its label imprints, subsidiaries, and affiliates.