Where the Sunsets Bleed

Edward Knight (Composer), David Russell (Performer), Chad Burrow (Performer), Amy I-Lin Cheng (Performer), Geoffrey Burleson (Performer), Jan McDaniel (Performer), Marquita Lister (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: David Russell, Chad Burrow, Amy I-Lin Cheng, Geoffrey Burleson, Jan McDaniel, et al.
• Composer: Edward Knight
• Audio CD (May 1, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Albany Records
• ASIN: B0009ETW1U
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #898,661 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Life Is Fine

2. Romance for Clarinet and Piano

3. Lost Luggage

4. Where the Sunsets Bleed

Editorial Reviews

From the Hollywood Bowl to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, from Carnegie Hall to the “Meet in Beijing” International Arts Festival, Edward Knight’s music has found a home straddling the worlds of jazz, concert and theater. Born in Ann Arbor, he earned his DMA from University of Texas at Austin. He studied privately with John Corigliano and was the first American to win the Sir Arthur Bliss Memorial award, for outstanding postgraduate composer at London’s Royal College of Music. Knight is a “fresh, original voice” with “an inventive sense of humor” (Bernard Holland, The New York Times) who creates music that is “visceral in its excitement” (John von Rheim, Chicago Tribune). Wayne Lee Gay of Knight-Ridder News Service calls Knight’s music “inventive and melodic.” Timothy Mangan of the Los Angeles Times cites “the composer’s canny combination of steady meter with atonal lyricism, a waltz-like lilt with expressionist angst.” Mangan notes that Knight’s orchestral work is “tightly unified, suave and sinister, confidently orchestrated.” Recent awards include Best Song Cycle in the American Art Song Competition sponsored by the San Francisco Song Festival; ASCAP’s Rudolf Nissim Award; first prize in the National Orchestra Association’s New Music Orchestral Project and fellowships to Yaddo and MacDowell.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed it, December 13, 2005

By 

DanL - See all my reviews

This review is from: Where the Sunsets Bleed (Audio CD)

The music here shows real diversity and talent. The compositions are distinct in style and unique. The performances are really top-notch. I'd definitely recommend this CD to anyone who appreciates fine composition and musicianship.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Energetic and impressive!, June 2, 2005

By 

reddheddgirl "reddheddgirl" (Oklahoma) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Where the Sunsets Bleed (Audio CD)

This is a cd filled with energy and beauty. Edward knight is an artist that paints various pictures for us without paint; tells a storey without words and invokes feeling with his music. Teaming with Ms. Lister to give us the poetry of Langston Hughes is genius. Teaming with the outstanding musicians on this cd to introduce his works is simply brilliant.

Each selection either tells us a new story--without words; or as in the final cut, "Where the Sunsets Bleed", shows us a true picture of the west, without paint or camera.

Edward Knight is truly an artist!

5.0 out of 5 stars "Storytelling is the common thread...", August 6, 2005

By 

Steph Shaw "Steph Shaw" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Where the Sunsets Bleed (Audio CD)

Edward Knight's album "Where the Sunsets Bleed" represents a brilliant and clear collection of the diversity and versatility that his music portrays. This album captures a wide variety of influences in his music's melodic and harmonic nuances and delicacies from classical and jazz to pop. Storytelling is the common thread throughout the selected works highlighting Knight's vast artistic range.

Knight's "Life is Fine" song cycle for soprano and orchestra (a collection of Langston Hughes poems) displays his keen knowledge of the voice while depicting the serious and comedic sides of the human condition. Soprano Marquita Lister is outstanding in her interpretation of the music's classical yet bluesy feel. This piece is ultimately a light-hearted celebration of life. Knight's instrumental works- both his chamber pieces "Romance for Clarinet and Piano" and "Where the Sunsets Bleed" as well as his solo piece written for marimba "Lost Luggage" - are collectively textured by Knight's ingenious storytelling abilities. While the playful qualities of "Romance for Clarinet and Piano" are played up by Chad Burrow and Amy I-Len Cheng, the more ethereal and furious sides of "Where the Sunsets Bleed" are brought out by David Russell and Geoff Burleson.

Lastly, there is a return to comedy as Knight's persistent sense of humor infiltrates "Lost Luggage" (the story of a traveler who has lost his suitcase), which is beautifully depicted on the marimba by David Steffens. The album's overall rich and colorful tone will keep you discovering new dimensions of the music with each new listening.