Music of Sam Crain, Vol 2
The first volume got a surprising respnse, so, by semi-popular demand, here is Music of Sam Crain Vol 2. Music of Sam Crain Vol 2 is, as you'd probably figure, the second of two-so-far such CDs, both featuring my classical music.
This one covers a slightly wider period of time than the first collection: from '75 to '07, as opposed to '78-'04. 32 years as opposed to 26. Except for the two electronic pieces, this music is taken from two different recitals of mine: one on 04/15/76 and the other on 04/16/79. Strangely enough.
Music of Sam Crain Vol 2 has thusfar enjoyed a number of sales throughout the US, 1 in Greece, and even a nice review from a CD Baby customer.
LAST CD SOLD: 08/09/08 thank you, Greece!
Two Descriptive Pieces for Woodwind Quintet(1975)opens things up. The first might remind you of Alec Wilder's woodwind music in its gentleness, the second possibly of Fiddler on the Roof.
First Piano Sonata(1976)follows. Actually this is just the 2 middle movements. Maybe someday I can hear this piece in its entirety, as well as my Second Piano Sonata('80). Strangely enough, sounds like Hindemith and like Gershwin.
Sonata for Flute and Piano('75), like my piano sonata, was too much music for those involved to learn. As it turned out, the first movement(out of 4!) was sufficient in itself. Like a jazz soloist endeavoring to "tell a story", this piece takes you on a journey--hopefully an interesting one.
Octet('79)is a bit more adventurous harmonically than what you've heard so far. It's based more on color and texture than thematic/melodic elements. Listening back to it now, I hear Bartok's "Concerto for Orchestra", Schoenberg's 2 Chamber Symphonies(esp the first one), and of course Stravinsky's wonderful Octet as influences.
Our Modern World('03)is another step as far as being "harmonically adventurous". An electronic piece, it consists of several layers of sound material interweaving throughout, providing their own counterpoint.
Duo for Violin and 'Cello('79)is another piece you're hearing a truncated version of here, like my sonatas. This is the first movement of a 3-movement piece. Two things about this piece: it begins and ends with the players tapping on the bodies of their instruments; the 'climax' of the piece is sustained to create a hypnotic effect, much like in a piece I heard at the time called "Volo"(can't remember the composer).I've got a version of this first movement for String Orchestra, which would be cool to hear someday--along with all these missing movements of my other pieces!
581c closes out this collection. It's an electronic piece, written just this year, and is named after the newly-discovered "extrasolar" planet, Gliese 581c. As creative artists, we seek to discover new worlds of sound and color, and it's these sort of things that I was reaching for in this piece--well really in all that I write.
Hope you enjoy Music of Sam Crain Vol 2.
SAM CRAIN is a guitarist and composer from Springfield ILlinois with 19 CDs to his credit, all available here on CD Baby. His classical works include a String Quartet, 2 Piano Sonatas, a work for Chorus and Percussion, Variations for Chamber Orchestra and various chamber and electronic pieces. Studied composition at Oakland University, Peabody Conservatory of Music, and privately in Boston. His CDs have sold(thru CD Baby)in Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Ireland, Canada, England, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Kuwait, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Russia, Switzerland and Taiwan, as well as all over the US.
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