"Jenni Brandon is a fresh voice in classical composition...this CD from a talented young voice should be in your collection. Ms. Brandon is a composer to watch in the years ahead."
~Kenneth Bradshaw, host of WCPE 89.5 FM WAVELengths
"Jenni Brandon's Songs of California contains some of the most imaginative, ingratiating recent chamber music for winds I've heard. Delightful!"
~Steven Turpin, Morning Musicale host, Indiana Public Radio
"Jenni Brandons works for winds and piano are inspired by Californias nature, geologic history and urban spaces. Lyrical, witty and evocative." ~Laima Harmon, WRUV Burlington, Vermont
"I really enjoyed it (and love the frogs!)." ~St. John Flynn, KUHF 88.7FM Houston Public Radio
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About the CD:
The music on this CD has been almost a decade in the making – the works were created from 2001-2009 and represent most of my works for winds and piano to date. During this time I have lived in California and have been inspired by the natural beauties of this state as well as the urban centers and cultural wonders. Songs of California tells the stories of the many places in California that I love and that have inspired me to create this CD.
This CD will take you on a journey throughout this land of giant Sequoias, crashing ocean waves, sticky tar pits, city streets, and ponds full of frogs and goldfish. I have tried to capture my view of these wonders through music, and in creating these images I hope to capture the beauty of this diverse landscape and transport you to these worlds that I love so much.
I feel that this CD is truly so much of who I am personally as well as musically. A lot can happen over a period of years, and I think this music reflects my journey like many postcards and snapshots of time well spent.
Thank you for joining me on this adventure, and I hope you enjoy the journey!
Jenni Brandon
Tracks - Click on the links below to find out more information about each piece.
1-6 Five Frogs for woodwind quintet (published by Boosey & Hawkes)
Published by Boosey & Hawkes. Windependence Chamber Ensemble, Master Level. This delightful woodwind quintet gives each player the chance to portray part of a frog's daily routine, from swimming to lazing on the lily pad to catching bugs. Five Frogs is light-hearted but challenging and musically rich. Listen: Five Frogs for woodwind quintet - Movement I - Leaping Five Frogs for woodwind quintet - Movement II -On the Lily Pad
Written during the composer's residency with the Vientos Trio, this four-movement piece for solo bass clarinet gurgles and oozes with the stories of the extinct animals found in the pits from over 10,000 years ago. Listen: Pleistocene Epoch: The Great Ice Age for solo bass clarinet: Movement II - Sabertoothed Cat
Written for flutist Danielle Hundley of the new music ensemble Conundrum, these four movements look at four different types of fancy goldfish. This original idea inspired by Danielle even features a movement about her own goldfish Bela! Listen: Goldfish Songs for solo flute/alto flute - Movement III - Ryukin: "Bela"
Four movements inspired by life on Holt Avenue in Los Angeles including morning coffee, the lemon tree, a mockingbird, and daisies. Listen: On Holt Avenue for oboe and piano - Movement IV - Daisies
Seven movements based on nature and images from Aesop's Fables.
32 Sea Quartet for oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and piano
Commissioned by the L.A. Musical Salon for the composer's residency with the Vientos Trio, this one-movement work was premiered in March 2009 with guest pianist Rose Chen. Inspired by the sea and by many visits to the Aquarium of The Pacific, this piece explores the sea's playfulness, beauty, and power. Listen: Sea Quartet for oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and piano - Excerpt
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