New CD Due in Honor of Ned Rorem's 90th Birthday in October

On the occasion of composer Ned Rorem's 90th birthday (b. October 23, 1923),Naxos is releasing the recording of his collections, Piano Album I and Six Friends (8.559761), performed by American pianist Carolyn Enger, in its American Classics series. Many of these works are world-premiere recordings.

We hope you will keep this album in mind for articles/broadcasts being planned for Mr. Rorem's birthday as well as for review. Please let us know if you would be interested in interviewing Ms. Enger and/or Mr. Rorem.

One of America's most distinguished composers, Ned Rorem grew up in Chicago and was educated at Northwestern University, The Curtis Institute of Music, and The Juilliard School. He won the 1976 Pulitzer Prize for his orchestral suite Air Music and has composed numerous works in all genres. He has received particular acclaim for his over 400 art songs, many of which have become a part of the standard vocal repertory. He was hailed by Time magazine as "the world's best composer of art songs." Beginning with the 1966 publication of The Paris Diary, Rorem has also produced a steady stream of prose publications (largely diaries and essays) and has received equal acclaim as both writer and composer. About his work, he said: "I conceive all music vocally. Whatever my music is written for - tuba, tambourine, tubular bells - it is always the singer within me crying to get out." www.nedrorem.com

Lauded for her sensitive, nuanced playing, American pianist Carolyn Enger is a musician who consistently entrances her audiences. MusicWeb International praised her playing as "thoughtful and sensitive... expressive... She plays with fine nuance and tone shading." Fanfare wrote, "Enger's dynamic control and emotional sensitivity complement her keen sense of timing and proportion."

In the New York area, she has delivered her distinctly personal concerts at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Bruno Walter Auditorium, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and the Tenri Cultural Center.

Ms. Enger's debut album, In Evening Air, included music of Beethoven, Scriabin, Hanson, Copland, Liebermann and Ned Rorem. Recording In Evening Air inspired her to delve deeper into Rorem's pieces for piano; she instantly fell in love with these miniatures.

Committed to creating compelling programming, Ms. Enger performs concert repertoire ranging from European masterworks to fresh discoveries. With her keen interest in performing new works by American and Israeli composers, Ms. Enger's recital programs often feature music by Ned Rorem, Lowell Liebermann, Betty Olivero, Avner Dorman and Lior Navok.

Her interest in distinctive concert experiences has led Ms. Enger to explore a multimedia concert program about World War II, combining music, literature, and images that focus on the lives of Mischlinge - half-Jews, in Germany, before, during and after the Holocaust.

Her dedication to bringing music to new audiences has led Ms. Enger to perform in settings such as Israel's Bet Yad Lebanim in Nahariya, the Felicja Blumenthal Center in Tel Aviv and, in New York City, at St. Peter's Church and the Donnell Library Center. Ms. Enger's community engagement performances have left presenters and audiences "in complete awe of her passion, skill and genuine warmth," according to Cheryl Wylen, Program Director, Backstage at the Y Concert Series. Ms. Enger is a Steinway Artist. www.carolynenger.com

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