Album Notes

Tracks 1 & 2 - Gonzalez Songs
Christine Sperry, soprano
Jenny Undercofler, piano

Tracks 3, 4, & 5 - Taos Trilogy
Brian Krinke, violin
Jenny Undercofler, piano

Tracks 6, 7, and 8 - Rumi Songs
Christine Sperry, soprano
Tara Helen O'Connor, flute
June Han, harp

Track 9 - The Jester and the Necklace
Brian Krinke, violin
Pablo Rieppi, drums

Tracks 10 & 11 - two pieces from "Traveler"
Juilliard Pre-College Chorus, Rebecca Scott, conductor

Tracks 12 - 15 - Baroque Dance Suite
Brian Krinke, violin

Track 16 - Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep
Christine Sperry, soprano
Jenny Undercofler, piano

The music on this CD is rooted in the rich tradition of classical chamber music and includes a number of other influences as well. Composer Carolyn Steinberg weaves elements of jazz, Cuban, African, and American folk music throughout the fabric of her sensuous musical language. Composed between 1998 and 2005, these pieces are tonal and rhythmic, yet luxuriate in colors and textures as core points of arrival. Above all, Steinberg’s work reveres beauty.

Carolyn Steinberg’s works have been performed in concerts and festivals in the U.S. and Europe such as Tanglewood, Darmstadt, and Donaueschingen. Works have been commissioned by the Fromm Foundation, Southwest German Radio Orchestra, and the New York State Council on the Arts, among others. The recipient of a Goddard Lieberson Award of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, Ms. Steinberg studied composition in the U.S. with Bernard Rands and Lumila Ulehla, and in Europe with Franco Donatoni and Brian Ferneyhough. She holds degrees in music composition from The Juilliard School (DMA) and Manhattan School of Music (MM), and the University of North Texas (BM).

CHRISTINE SPERRY, Soprano, sings all the vocal works on this CD. Christine is active as a soloist in opera, operetta, and oratorio throughout the New York metropolitan area. She has been a Bach soloist with the Bach Foundation, and was a finalist in the Oratorio Society of New York Solo Competition. Currently, she is the cantor of St. Anthony’s Church and teaches voice at Diller-Quaile School of Music. Christine holds a Master’s degree in music from SUNY Binghamton.

Violinist BRIAN KRINKE has served as the Assistant Concertmaster of the Rochester Philharmonic. Mr. Krinke’s solo engagements have included concertos with the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia, and he has performed recitals throughout the United States and Central America. Mr. Krinke holds degrees from The Juilliard School in New York and the Curtis Institute of Music.

PABLO RIEPPI is one of New York City's leading percussionists. Hear him here on "The Jester and the Necklace," in which he plays a virtuosic, improvised solo. See his website, www.pablorieppi.com