Release Date: August 1, 2011
Catalog #: NV5857
Format: Digital & Physical
21st Century
Stage Works
Vocal Music
Large Ensemble

Raspberry Man

William Vollinger composer

Juventas Ensemble | Brian Calhoon percussion
Julia Scott Carey piano

RASPBERRY MAN is an Enhanced EP featuring two works for narrator and instrumental ensemble by composer William Vollinger. The first, Raspberry Man, draws its inspiration from a man who made a loud raspberry noise at passersby outside a bar in New York. The second, Emmanuel Changed, draws from the change Vollinger witnessed in a troublesome chorus student. The lyrics to these pieces attempt to delve deeper than initial impressions and paint a musical portrait of the subjects’ lives, motivations and personalities. Vollinger’s craftsmanship ties the words and music together in a uniquely accessible way that is both funny and touching.

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Hear the full album on YouTube

Artist Information

William Vollinger

Composer

William Vollinger is predominantly a composer of vocal music, spoken and/or sung, performed by groups such as the Gregg Smith Singers and New York Vocal Arts Ensemble, whose performance of Three Songs About the Resurrection won first prize at the Geneva International Competition. The instrumental work The Violinist in the Mall won the 2005 Friends and Enemies of New Music competition. Sound Portraits is a collection of his vocal works featuring soprano Linda Ferraira recorded by Capstone-Ravello. Raspberry Man was selected for both the 2009 National SCI Conference in Santa Fe NM and the University of Nebraska 2009 New Music Festival.

Group photo of Juventas New Music ensemble, with members holding their instruments.

Juventas New Music Ensemble

Ensemble

Juventas New Music Ensemble is a contemporary chamber group with a special focus on emerging voices. Juventas shares classical music as a vibrant, living art form. They bring audiences music from a diverse array of composers that live in today’s world and respond to our time. Since its founding in 2005, Juventas has performed the music of more than 300 living composers. The ensemble has earned a reputation as a curator with a keen eye for new talent. It opens doors for composers with top-notch professional performances that present their work in the best possible light.