CDs and Downloads
Here are a collection of CD and digital releases featuring the music and performances of James Adler.
A Winter Triptych
This delightful setting of three traditional carols is performed by the Judson Memorial Church Choir, under the direction of Henco Espag with soloists Eric Oliver and Jessica Pruett-Barnett. The three carols — “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen”, “Wassail Song”, and “Sleep, Sleep My Little Child” — are sung with harp and horn in F accompaniment; the horn and harp also share a beautiful interlude.
Homages & Remembrances
Compelled by the passing of his older brother, Norman, who originally encouraged his musical studies, Mr. Adler put together this musical program with the idea of remembering the past in mind. He has included his own composition for his brother, Elegy for Norman, a treasured Debussy score that belonged to his brother, as well as pieces connected to other important personages in his life: Paul Turok’s Passacaglia, Henco Espag’s Herinneringe, Mozart’s Piano Sonata in D Major, K. 311, and Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.
Introspections
Introspections explores the introspective and retrospective side of James Adler. This CD features works by James Adler: the President’s Own United States Marine Corps Chamber Orchestra performs Suite Moderne for Strings, cellist Eugene Moye and oboist Virgina Brewer perform Suite for Michael, tenor saxophonist David R. Babich performs Twisted Tango, and flutist Cain-Oscar Bergeron performs Six Little Variations on Noel Ancien, Also featured are several works written for Mr. Adler: Kevin Cummines’ Three Works for James Adler, selections from Seth Bedford’s Three Postcards for Piano, and Paul Turok’s Clarinet Sonata with clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein. The CD concludes with the song-cycle 3 Introspections with music by James Adler, Lyric by David Cote, and performed with baritone Malcolm J. Merriweather and oboist Virginia Brewer.
James Adler & Friends
Ravello Records releases James Adler & Friends, a compilation of work by James Adler, Seth Bedford, Franz Liszt, Leo Ornstein, and Paul Turok. Tracing Mr. Adler’s music roots, the CD includes two pieces specifically composed for him: Seth Bedford’s Christopher Street Rag and Paul Turkok’s Tango for James Adler. Two collaborative works are included: Reverie, Interrupted for Tenor Saxophone and Piano (with Jordan P. Smith, Tenor Saxophone) and A Song of the Road (with Malcolm J. Merriweather, Baritone). Also highlighting the disc are two new works for solo piano: Fantasy on a Medieval Theme and Piano Fantasy on “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd”, both of which are influenced by Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz No. 1, which is also included.
James Adler plays Syncopated Rhythms
Music by Adler, Antheil, Copland, Gershwin, Gottschalk, Joplin, Menotti, and Ornstein.
Released April 2008, Albany Records
See Mr. Adler perform music from the CD on our performance archive page, including: James Adler’s Two Dances in One; Aaron Copland’s Hoedown from Rodeo; and Leo Ornstein’s Nine Miniatures for Piano.
Memento mori: An AIDS Requiem
Composed by James Adler
Performed by the AmorArtis Chorale & Orchestra, Victoria Livengood, mezzo, Jane Dutton, soprano, Maire O’Brien, soprano, Steve Huffines, baritone, Neil Farrell, tenor, Johannes Somary, conductor
Memento Mori is an oratorio for soloists, men’s chorus and chamber orchestra; a requiem dedicated to those who have succumbed to AIDS. The work combines traditional English, Hebrew, and Latin texts with original prose and poetry by Quentin Crisp, Philip Justin Smith, Denise Stokes, and Bill Weaver.
Reflections upon a September morn
Reflections upon a September morn features poetry by Walt Whitman and is the composers remembrance of the events of 9/11. Featuring Kate Maroney, mezzo-soprano; Virginia Brewer, oboe and English horn; and James Adler, piano, this 8-minute work is released by Albany Records as a digital single available for download only.
Reverie, Interrupted
Reverie, Interrupted for tenor saxophone and piano is featured on Parma Recording’s album Sculpting the Air: Modern Works for Wind Instruments, with Jordan P. Smith, tenor saxophone, and James Adler, piano.