Capstone Re-release: Music for Voices

In 2008, PARMA Recordings acquired Capstone Records, the highly respected New York-based classical label founded by composer Richard Brooks in 1986, with the intent of shepherding the company and its music into the digital era. This album was originally released on Capstone and is being re-released by PARMA Recording’s Navona Records.

On MUSIC FOR VOICES, composer and pianist Allen Brings presents a collection of pairings for vocals and instruments, often marrying the forces of chorus and orchestra. Brings’ compositions feature a wide range of performer credits, including the Ars Brunensis Chorus and the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra, both from the Czech Republic; the New York Virtuoso Singers; the Kent Singers from Connecticut; conductors Toshiyuki Shimada, Marguerite Mullée, and Harold Rosenbaum; soprano Mara Bonde; and pianist  Genevieve Chinn. Additionally, Brings plays piano on a handful of these works, including Three Songs of Blake & Donne for soprano & piano; The Lament of Rachel for chamber choir & piano, four-hands; and Encore: Mountain Song for soprano & piano.

Both a composer and a pianist, Brings has twice served as chairman of the eastern region of the American Society of University Composers and currently serves as vice president of Connecticut Composers. He has received an ASCAP Award every year since 1975.

Additionally, Brings has taught at a number of schools, and holds professor emeritus status at his alma mater, the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College of the City University of New York, where he was coordinator of the theory and ear training program. He is now a director of the Weston Music Center and School of the Performing Arts in Connecticut, where he teaches piano and theory.