Sublimitas
Michael G. Cunningham composer
Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava orchestra
Jiří Petrdlík conductor
Stanislav Vavřínek conductor
Navona Records is proud to present SUBLIMITAS, a symphonic album bringing to life the posthumous works of composer Michael G. Cunningham. Performed by the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra, Cunningham’s 5th and 6th Symphonies soar with spirited flair and clarity. These works are thoughtfully paired with his Mountain Poem, a jubilant and moving piece composed with musical peaks and valleys that simulate a thrilling adventure. As a composer whose works span 11 previous Navona Records releases, the works presented on SUBLIMITAS make for a delightful final parting gift from an artist who showed an unwavering dedication to sharing his music with the world.
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Track Listing & Credits
| # | Title | Composer | Performer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Symphony No. 5: I. Mosaic | Michael G. Cunningham | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Jiří Petrdlík, conductor | 7:25 |
| 02 | Symphony No. 5: II. Largo | Michael G. Cunningham | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Jiří Petrdlík, conductor | 2:26 |
| 03 | Symphony No. 5: III. Scherzo | Michael G. Cunningham | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Jiří Petrdlík, conductor | 3:45 |
| 04 | Symphony No. 5: IV. Rondel | Michael G. Cunningham | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Jiří Petrdlík, conductor | 6:45 |
| 05 | Symphony No. 6: I. Opposure | Michael G. Cunningham | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Stanislav Vavřínek, conductor | 5:31 |
| 06 | Symphony No. 6: II. Lull | Michael G. Cunningham | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Stanislav Vavřínek, conductor | 3:28 |
| 07 | Symphony No. 6: III. Manic | Michael G. Cunningham | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Stanislav Vavřínek, conductor | 5:07 |
| 08 | Symphony No. 6: IV. Decisive | Michael G. Cunningham | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Stanislav Vavřínek, conductor | 5:09 |
| 09 | The Mountain Poem | Michael G. Cunningham | Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava | Stanislav Vavřínek, conductor | 8:34 |
Symphony No. 5
Recorded April 22, 2021 & February 2, 2022 at Dům Kultury města Ostravy (The Ostrava House of Culture) in Ostrava, Czech Republic
Session Producer Jan Košulič
Session Engineers Jana Jelínková, Aleš Dvořák
Assistant Engineer Pavel Paluřík
Editing, Mixing Lucas Paquette (Tracks1-2), Melanie Montgomery (Tracks 3-4)
Symphony No.6
Recorded January 31 – February 1, 2023 at Vesmir Concert Hall Ostrava in Ostrava, Czech Republic
Session Producer, Editing Jan Košulič
Session Engineer Pavel Kunčar
Assistant Engineer Adam Janků
Additional Editing and Mixing Melanie Montgomery
Mountain Poem
Recorded August 19, 2020 at Dům Kultury města Ostravy (The Ostrava House of Culture) in Ostrava, Czech Republic
Session Producer Jan Košulič
Session Engineer Aleš Dvořák
Assistant Engineer Jana Jelínková
Editing, Mixing Lucas Paquette
Mastering Melanie Montgomery
Executive Producer Bob Lord
A&R Director Brandon MacNeil
VP of Production Jan Košulič
Audio Director Lucas Paquette
Recording Sessions Director Levi Brown
Production Assistant Martina Watzková
VP, Design & Marketing Brett Picknell
Art Director Ryan Harrison
Design Edward A. Fleming
Publicity Patrick Niland
Artist Information
Michael G. Cunningham
A great artist can manifest answers to otherwise perplexing aspects of our world through their craft and help us find understanding. Composer, author, and long-time PARMA artist Michael G. Cunningham (1937-2022) was the embodiment of this truth, a prolific artist whose timeless body of work will resonate for years to come. From symphonies and other orchestral works to piano pieces, art songs, opera, choral compositions, and works for jazz ensembles spanning 11 Navona Records releases, Cunningham showed an unwavering dedication to sharing his music with the world. Upon receiving his doctorate from Indiana University, Cunningham embarked on an artistic journey that would lead him to write over 250 musical compositions spanning multiple genres, pedagogical music books, and more.
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.
Jiří Petrdlík
Jiří Petrdlík (b. 1977) is appreciated as one of the most respectable conductors of his generation. He studied piano, trombone, and conducting — 1995–2000 at Prague Conservatory, and 2000–2005 at Academy of Performing Arts Prague — with Hynek Farkač, Miroslav Košler, Miriam Němcová, Radomil Eliška, and Tomáš Koutník, and took part in the masterclasses of the New York Philharmonic Principal Conductor Kurt Masur and the BBC Philharmonic Principal Conductor Jiří Bělohlávek. Petrdlík also successfully took part in several competitions, including the Donatella Flick Conductor Competition in London.
Stanislav Vavřínek
Stanislav Vavřínek is one of the most prominent Czech conductors and has been Chief Conductor of the Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice since 2018. Having graduated from the Conservatory in Brno where he studied flute and conducting, he continued his education at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. Subsequently, he also took master classes with Roberto Benzi in Switzerland, culminating with a concert in which he conducted the Biel Philharmonic Orchestra.
