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A Hopeful Place
Dan Redfeld composer
John Gabriel Koladziej libretto
Kristi Holden soprano
The Hollywood Studio Symphony | Dan Redfeld conductor
Composer Dan Redfeld presents A HOPEFUL PLACE: A SONG CYCLE FOR SOPRANO & CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, his debut release on Navona records showcasing his nine-movement song cycle of the same name. A Hopeful Place follows a woman’s journey through life from birth to death—a life-cycle-song-cycle, as librettist John Gabriel Koladziej describes the piece. Across the many movements, Redfeld and Koladziej explore the various stages of life, such as the adventurousness of early life in “Childhood,” the confusion of adolescence in “Words They Never Say,” and the joys, pleasures, love, and possibilities found in adulthood in “No Longer a Child / Somehow,” “Vocalise,” and the jazzy “Bacchanal.” The piece culminates in “A Hopeful Place,” a poignant meditation on pain and hope drawing from the experiences of the composer and librettist in post–9/11 America. The piece closes with the elegiac “Evensong” and the finale “Moments / I Wish You Music.”
Soprano Kristi Holden takes center stage in this recording, with Redfeld conducting the Hollywood Studio Symphony, a 20-piece ensemble of musicians from the Los Angeles area. Holden moves deftly through the many styles of Redfeld’s lush score, from opera to musical theatre to jazz. Redfeld employs several distinctive themes to heighten the drama of the piece, the most central being the sweeping “Vocalise” theme, which weaves the many movements together. A Hopeful Place both opens and closes with this theme—thus, completing the cycle and reminding the listener of the role of music in life’s journey.
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Track Listing & Credits
| # | Title | Composer | Performer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | A Hopeful Place: No. 1. Introduction - Ruminations | Dan Redfeld | Hollywood Studio Symphony Orchestra | Dan Redfeld, conductor; Kristi Holden, soprano | 11:56 |
| 02 | A Hopeful Place: No. 2. Childhood | Dan Redfeld | Hollywood Studio Symphony Orchestra | Dan Redfeld, conductor; Kristi Holden, soprano | 7:38 |
| 03 | A Hopeful Place: No. 3. Words They Never Say | Dan Redfeld | Hollywood Studio Symphony Orchestra | Dan Redfeld, conductor; Kristi Holden, soprano | 3:14 |
| 04 | A Hopeful Place: No. 4. No Longer a Child - Somehow | Dan Redfeld | Hollywood Studio Symphony Orchestra | Dan Redfeld, conductor; Kristi Holden, soprano | 9:27 |
| 05 | A Hopeful Place: No. 5. Vocalise | Dan Redfeld | Hollywood Studio Symphony Orchestra | Dan Redfeld, conductor; Kristi Holden, soprano | 8:55 |
| 06 | A Hopeful Place: No. 6. Bacchanal | Dan Redfeld | Hollywood Studio Symphony Orchestra | Dan Redfeld, conductor; Kristi Holden, soprano | 3:31 |
| 07 | A Hopeful Place: No. 7. A Hopeful Place | Dan Redfeld | Hollywood Studio Symphony Orchestra | Dan Redfeld, conductor; Kristi Holden, soprano | 5:41 |
| 08 | A Hopeful Place: No. 8. Evensong | Dan Redfeld | Hollywood Studio Symphony Orchestra | Dan Redfeld, conductor; Kristi Holden, soprano | 4:50 |
| 09 | A Hopeful Place: No. 9. Finale: Moments - I Wish You Music | Dan Redfeld | Hollywood Studio Symphony Orchestra | Dan Redfeld, conductor; Kristi Holden, soprano | 9:10 |
Conducted by Dan Redfeld
Album producers Dan Redfeld & Michael Stern
Album executive producer Elizabeth Hedman
Album associate producer Christina Harding
Music recorded & mixed by Michael Stern
Recorded August 23, 24 & 25, 2011 at East West Studios, Studio 1, Hollywood CA & October 2, 2011 at Capitol Studios, Studio A, Hollywood CA
Additional vocals recorded at Stagg St. Studios, Van Nuys CA (December 2011)
Mixed at Magnet Reel Sound, Calabasas CA
Mastered by Patricia Sullivan at Bernie Grundman Mastering, Hollywood CA
Orchestra contractor Elizabeth Hedman
Music librarian/booth rep Steven Ganci
Recording assistants Ethan Carlson, Brendan Dekora, Chandler Harrod, Chris Kahn
Graphic design Dewynters Ltd, London
Project advisor Jeffrey James
Publicity Beth Krakower – The Krakower Group & Verena King – Verena King Public Relations
Legal Alan Kassirer
Photography Linda A. Rapka, John James Hickey, Dan Goldwasser, Rosi Greenberg, Steven Gabriel, Kat Hennessey & Michael Lamont
A Hopeful Place is published by Bearworks Music (ASCAP)
Recording licensed by HumBear Music LLC
ORCHESTRA PERSONNEL
Piccolo/Flute/Penny Whistle Boglárka Kiss
Oboe/English Horn/Oboe d’Amore Keve Wilson, Chris Bleth
Clarinet/Bass Clarinet Donald T. Foster
Bassoon Damian Montano
French Horns Brian O’Connor (pr), Joe Meyer
Trumpet/Flugelhorn Ray Nowak
Timpani Chester Englander (pr)
Percussion Brian Kilgore, Pete Korpela, Brad Dutz, Terry Schonig
Jazz Kit Bernie Dresel
Harp Alison Bjorkedal
Piano/Keyboards Robert Thies
Violins Elizabeth Hedman (cm), Rachel Englander
Viola Rodney Wirtz
Cello Ira Glansbeek
Bass Steve Dress
HUMBEAR MUSIC WOULD LIKE TO THANK
Renato Biribin & Julia Gregory, Teri & Mark Gross, Christina Harding, Helen & Lou Harding, Annette Hedman, Gerald Hedman, Martin & Kathleen Hedman, Debra & Darren Madrid, Graham Mouw & Raina Krell for believing. You are the angels who lit the fires for us to move beyond the concert hall.
ALL THE OTHER SOULS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED A HOPEFUL PLACE IN COUNTLESS WAYS.
Piccadilly, Sassaphronia, Monte & Zuma AFM Local 47 and the incredible Los Angeles musicians who played so brilliantly on A Hopeful Place. Candace Stewart, Paula Salvatore & Melody Carpenter and the staff at each recording facility. Patricia Sullivan & James Jamail at Bernie Grundman Mastering. Beth Krakower, Jeffrey James, Verena King, Daniel Matter & Allan Kassirer for sharing their wisdom and guiding hands. Fiona Carpenter, Keith Kenny, Robert McKenzie, Amanda Young and the entire staff at Dewynters for their inspired work which visually captured the essence of A Hopeful Place. Bob Lord, Sam Renshaw, Brett Picknell, Nate Hunter, Morgan MacLeod and the entire staff at PARMA Recordings for giving the world a chance to hear this piece. May the collaboration continue for many more years to come!
THE AUTHORS WOULD LIKE TO THANK
Michael Stern for 20 years of collaboration and especially for giving A Hopeful Place its sound. Kristi Holden for the 15 years of friendship, inspiration and most of all for providing the heart of A Hopeful Place. Your artistry is unique and this piece is truly yours. Elizabeth Hedman for being the pillar of this project and the continued belief in its place in the world. Also, for giving us your immense talent both on and behind the recording process. There are not enough words to express our gratitude.
Executive Producer Bob Lord
A&R Sam Renshaw
Audio Director Jeff LeRoy
Production Engineer Nate Hunter
Art & Production Director Brett Picknell
Marketing Morgan MacLeod
Artist Information
Dan Redfeld
American composer, conductor, orchestrator, and producer Dan Redfeld has had his music and arrangements performed internationally from the concert hall to the musical theatre stage to the recording studio. Redfeld received his training at Boston's New England Conservatory before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where he graduated with a degree in composition with an emphasis in conducting. Instructors include composers William Thomas McKinley, Irwin Kostal, and David Raksin, and conductors Jon Robertson, Sir Simon Rattle, Zubin Mehta, and Roger Norrington.
