GRANADOS Song of the Stars

Voices of Ascension
Dennis Keene, Artistic Director

Douglas Riva, piano
Mark Kruczek, organ

from the Grammy-nominated Naxos recording Song of the Stars ℗ 2009 Naxos

The singers in this performance are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO.

This is a unique, special offering today: the only recording of this work ever made. What a truly haunting, gorgeous work it is! Nothing quite like it. It begins as an extended piano solo (Granados was a major piano composer). Then the organ comes in, and they play together for a few minutes. Finally, a distant chorus of angels appears from the balcony, followed by the two other main choruses in the front of the church. (Yes! This piece is for piano, organ and 3 choruses!) The various melodies play back and forth between choruses and instruments, and it evolves slowly toward a sublime, peaceful conclusion.

– Dennis Keene