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Musical Images For Chamber Orchestra: Reflections & Recollections Vol. 2
Mark John McEncroe composer
Janáček Philharmonic | Anthony Armoré conductor
Navona Records proudly presents its latest release from composer Mark John McEncroe: MUSICAL IMAGES FOR CHAMBER ORCHESTRA – REFLECTIONS & RECOLLECTIONS VOL. 2. The album, which was recorded in the Czech Republic, features 11 of McEncroe’s piano works performed by the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra.
Mark McEncroe has lived a rich and compelling life: born in Sydney, Australia in 1947, McEncroe spent decades as both a professional chef and as a music executive; yet, he only began studying piano seriously at age 37. McEncroe capitalized on his sundry life experiences to craft this series of vivid musical reflections. Daybreak, the album’s first track, sets the tone with a bright, unflappable woodwind passage, which is met with a lush, sweeping string accompaniment. The consoling effervescence of this first piece is paired with Floating Lilies, featuring a series of aching minor descending figures. Later on in the album, Dance of the Pagans is a mischievous and scampering piece, inviting the listener to join in the dance around the campfire. This is followed by Natalie’s Theme, in which somber recollections build and erupt into crescendo only to retreat at once to heartrending silence. The album concludes with Shimmering Lights, which guides the collection to a decisive and satisfying final cadence.
In MUSICAL IMAGES FOR CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, Mark McEncroe demonstrates both his masterful understanding of the human spirit as well as the compositional tools he employs to explore it. The album is richly dynamic, replete with towering highs and immersive lows. Listeners will be delighted to know that VOLUME 3 and VOLUME 4 in this series are already in production.
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Track Listing & Credits
| # | Title | Composer | Performer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Daybreak (Orch. M.J. Saliba) | Mark John McEncroe | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Anthony Armoré, conductor | 5:47 |
| 02 | Cindy's Song (Orch. M.J. Saliba) | Mark John McEncroe | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Anthony Armoré, conductor | 4:56 |
| 03 | A Rainy Summer's Day (Orch. M.J. Saliba) | Mark John McEncroe | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Anthony Armoré, conductor | 4:41 |
| 04 | A Penny for Your Thoughts (Orch. M.J. Saliba) | Mark John McEncroe | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Anthony Armoré, conductor | 5:28 |
| 05 | Dance of the Pagans (Orch. M.J. Saliba) | Mark John McEncroe | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Anthony Armoré, conductor | 4:45 |
| 06 | Fleeting Images (Orch. M.J. Saliba) | Mark John McEncroe | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Anthony Armoré, conductor | 4:14 |
| 07 | Natalie's Theme (Orch. M.J. Saliba) | Mark John McEncroe | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Anthony Armoré, conductor | 4:42 |
| 08 | Nocturnal Images (Orch. M.J. Saliba) | Mark John McEncroe | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Anthony Armoré, conductor | 8:33 |
| 09 | Fading Memories (Orch. M.J. Saliba) | Mark John McEncroe | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Anthony Armoré, conductor | 4:24 |
| 10 | Floating Lilies (Orch. M.J. Saliba) | Mark John McEncroe | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Anthony Armoré, conductor | 10:51 |
| 11 | Shimmering Lights (Orch. M.J. Saliba) | Mark John McEncroe | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Anthony Armoré, conductor | 11:43 |
Orchestrated for small chamber orchestra Mark J Saliba
Recorded January 2018 in Ostrava, Czech Republic
Session Engineer, Producer & Mastering Jaroslav Zouhar
Sheet music available for Reflections & Recollections Vol 2 from Wirripang
Executive Producer Bob Lord
Executive A&R Sam Renshaw
A&R Director Brandon MacNeil
A&R Chris Robinson
VP, Audio Production Jeff LeRoy
Audio Director Lucas Paquette
VP, Design & Marketing Brett Picknell
Art Director Ryan Harrison
Design Edward A. Fleming
Publicity Patrick Niland, Sara Warner
Artist Information
Mark John McEncroe
Australian composer and classically trained pianist Mark John McEncroe writes for solo piano and orchestras of all sizes. His compositions have been performed throughout Europe, Australia, and the United States, with the biggest highlight to date being a concert at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium in February 2020.
Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava
The Janáček Philharmonic is a world-class symphony orchestra based in Ostrava, Czech Republic and an emerging figure on the international performance scene. With over 100 top-level musicians, the orchestra aims to introduce unique, quality repertoire while showcasing their own recognizable sound.
Anthony Armoré
Born into an Italian-American family near New York City, Anthony Armoré studied piano, horn, violin, and music theory before turning to instrumental and later operatic conducting. His conducting teachers include Jorma Panula, Charles Bruck, Robert Olsen, and Allan McMurray.
Notes
VOLUME 1 and VOLUME 2 of my piano pieces were all written as pieces in a similar vein. They are a reflective look over the passage of events, impressions, and feelings experienced throughout my life to date.
My friend, conductor Anthony Armoré, suggested doing an orchestral version of all these piano pieces. Others thought that was a good idea as well. So now that has become a recorded reality and I’m very happy that I took Anthony’s advice on this matter. I asked my friend Mark J Saliba to do the orchestrations for a small chamber orchestra, staying true to the essence and expression of my piano pieces. As usual, he did exactly that.
Since these two volumes were recorded, I have completed my piano volumes 3 and 4 which will also come out under the banner REFLECTIONS & RECOLLECTIONS – MUSICAL IMAGES FOR PIANO.
The piano pieces for VOLUME 3 have now been recorded and the piano works of VOLUME 4 will be recorded in January 2020. These will eventually be recorded for small chamber orchestra as well. Mark Saliba is already working on these orchestrations.
The music, however, is perhaps a little more intense and varied than in the original two volumes. There is a natural progression in my musical journey. As to what my music is evolving into I’ll leave that to others to talk about.
— Mark John McEncroe
