EVAN CHAMBERS:

THE OLD BURYING GROUND

WORLD PREMIERE RECORDING

with Anne-Carolyn Bird and Tim Eriksen

University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra

Kenneth Kiesler, conductor

Dorian Sono Luminus

ABOUT THE ALBUM

Evan Chambers brings to life the epitaphs etched in stone so many years ago in Jaffery, New Hampshire in his first release on Sono Luminus with his new work The Old Burying Ground, performed by the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Kenneth Kiesler, this world premiere release intertwines powerful orchestral movements, moving vocal passages and poems commissioned by world renowned award winning poets in a way that connects the listener with each of those that have passed on and inspired the piece. The album also features poetry commissioned for the work by internationally acclaimed poets including Keith Taylor, Thomas Lynch, Richard Tillinghast, Paula Meehan, Jane Hirshfield, read by the poets throughout the work. 

Evan Chambers’ (b. 1963) compositions bear the stamp of his early exposure to the edginess and immediacy of folk song and community music-making, readily crossing boundaries and reconciling disparate musical worlds. He is currently the Associate Professor and Chair of Composition at the University of Michigan School of Music, and serves as resident composer with the new-music ensemble Quorum. Works by this award winning composer have been performed by the Cincinnati, Kansas City, Spokane, Memphis, Binghamton, New Hampshire, and Albany Symphonies, as well as the American Composers Orchestra, with which he appeared as soloist in Carnegie Hall. 

This powerful piece of music, produced by award winning producer David Frost, is a guaranteed top selection in the play lists of the traditional classical music listener, and bridges the gap to reach music lovers of all genres. The folk undertones paired with the poetry and intricate orchestral composition truly give new life to those interred at The Old Burying

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

AUDIOPHILE

"This haunting and rather strange work (easily accessible) is also possessed of a quiet beauty…soprano and tenor give the piece a strange seriousness…this is a wonderful composition that is moving and inventive…"