The two-time GRAMMY-award winning Albany Symphony has announced the release of their new album, Blue Electra, on April 11 on all streaming platforms.
Blue Electra features world-premier recordings of recent works focusing on the triumphs and tragedies of flight by GRAMMY award-winning composer Michael Daugherty. The recording, featuring violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, conductor David Alan Miller and the Albany Symphony, showcases three thrilling, virtuosic new works from the orchestra. The album’s title track is a dramatic violin concerto inspired by the mysterious disappearance of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart in 1937. “Last Dance at the Surf” is a one-movement dance symphony that reflects upon rock n’ roll legend Buddy Holly’s final performance in 1959 and his tragic plane crash merely hours after his show. “To the New World” for orchestra celebrates the historic Apollo 11 moon mission in 1969 and Neil Armstrong’s historic moonwalk.
“When we work in partnership to bring these recordings to life, we are preserving moments in time and sharing our work and these stories with generations present and future,” Daugherty said. “I am grateful to Naxos, the Albany Symphony, David, and Anne for this beautiful collaboration we will share with the world.”
Daugherty is one of the most commissioned, performed and recorded composers on the international concert music scene today. His compositions, rich with cultural allusion, explores different genres whilst bringing a eloquent and stirring melody through every piece. His work has received six GRAMMY awards, including Best Contemporary Classical Composition in 2011 for Deus ex Machina and in 2017 for Tales of Hemingway.
The Albany Symphony celebrates musical heritage through adventurous and diverse programming, commissioning and recording of new work. The symphony has been decorated with GRAMMY awards, ASCAP awards and GRAMMY nominations since 1930. The symphony serves a diverse regional audience of seven continents and aims to bring new music that celebrates all musicians and unique sounds.
For more information on the Albany Symphony and Blue Electra, visit here or call the Box Office at 518-694-3300.
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