Composer: DARRELL HANDEL (USA, b. 1933); GERHARD SAMUEL(Germany/ USA, b. 1924)

Information:
Though this recording falls into the Music from Six Continents Series by Vienna Modern Masters it focuses on the work of only two composers and is centered on a theme. This disc's theme is the legend/myth of Orpheus, probably beginning with the birth of opera through Peri's Euridice in 1600 the story continues to hold the attention and fire the inspiration of composers of all cultures and nationalities.
Darrell Handel was born in Lodi, California and grew up close to the jazz culture of the 40s and 50s. He is professor of Composition at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. His Orpheus Left his Heart was written - and is performed here, by the composer's daughter. The second work for piano trio is a spin-off from the previous work, but it is not a simple reduction. The mood and form have been preserved and the musical ideas are expressed by very different means.
Gerhard Samuel has had a long and distinguished career. A protégé of Koussevitsky at Tanglewood in conducting, he also studied composition with Hindemith. He has conducted and been associated with many top US orchestras, most important his tenure and recordings with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
Here we can hear Samuel's compositional talent. He too, has always been swayed by the Orpheus legend. Remembering Orpheus was written in 1997 as a follow up to an early work inspired by Orpehus. Samuel has always loved the sound of the saxophone and there are fragments of Gluck's masterpiece. Hyacinth from Apollo is the fifth vocal work Samuel has set to texts of Los Angeles poet Jack Larson The Requiem for Survivors was commissioned by Zubin Mehta and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. It is based on a poem by Nobel Laureate Salvatore Quisimodo. The work was also stimulated by Mozart's last work, especially the Lacrimosa. Finally, the work was came about due to the death of a close friend of the composer.