CCM faculty featured in roundup of new classical music albums
The New York Times highlights recording projects featuring Elliot Madore and Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir
UC's College-Conservatory of Music is home to an international faculty of dedicated educators who are also celebrated professionals in their own right, and two of those faculty members were recently highlighted in a New York Times roundup of notable new classical music albums.
Entitled "5 Classical Music Albums You Can Listen to Right Now," the article includes recently released performance recordings featuring CCM Associate Professor of Voice Elliot Madore and CCM Assistant Professor of Cello Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir.
'Girls of the Golden West' featuring Elliot Madore
CCM faculty member Elliot Madore. Photo/Provided.
A Grammy Award-winning Canadian baritone, Madore is featured on a recent recording of composer John Adams’ and librettist Peter Sellars’ Girls of the Golden West. A retelling of the California Gold Rush sourced from the literature of that era, the full-length opera performance was recorded live at Walt Disney Concert Hall in January 2023. Adams conducts the performance, which features the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Master Chorale and a cast that includes Madore singing the role of Ramón.
New York Times contributing classical music critic Joshua Barone describes the music on the Girls of the Golden West album as "so vivid you feel immersed among the evocations of pickax swings and dark folk songs that populate [Adams’] treatment of California’s gold rush."
Known as one of the most accomplished and sought after singers of his generation, Madore next sings the title role in Cincinnati Opera's production of Mozart's Don Giovanni on June 13 and 15.
'Decoda' featuring Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir
CCM faculty member Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir. Photo/provided
A cellist whose performances have previously been described by the New York Times as "riveting," Thorsteinsdóttir appears on the debut album by the artist-led chamber music collective known as Decoda. Thorsteinsdóttir is a founding member of the group, which is the only independent ensemble to be recognized as an Affiliate Ensemble of Carnegie Hall.
Decoda's self-titled album features the world premiere recording of Valerie Coleman's Revelry, original arrangements of William Bolcom's Three Rags and a performance of Reza Vali's, Folk Songs (Set No. 9), written for flute and cello.
In his review, New York Times contributing music critic Seth Colter Walls calls out the "wide-ranging skills" of Thorsteinsdóttir, Vali and Decoda flutist Catherine Gregory. Walls' review concludes, "With performances of this quality, you can see why Carnegie [Hall] ... would want to continue an association with these musicians."
Thorsteinsdóttir next appears in an artist showcase concert at the Sarasota Music Festival on Thursday, June 6.
About CCM’s Faculty
At CCM, tomorrow’s arts luminaries work with today’s industry leaders. Our internationally recognized faculty members work with students from around the world. CCM students receive personalized mentorship from professors who guide their individual scholarly, creative, musical, performing and teaching growth.
Who are our faculty members? CCM professors are Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award-winning performers and designers, ASCAP and BMI Award-winning songwriters and composers, as well as Fulbright Scholars. They are members of major American orchestras, as well as directors and conductors for the world’s leading opera houses and summer festivals. They are researchers, educators, choreographers, technicians, filmmakers and playwrights, as well as experts on health and wellness for artists. They have published widely-used textbooks and produced multimedia for US presidents. They have been featured on major broadcasts like Good Morning America, the Today Show and the Tonight Show, to mention just a few of their accomplishments.
Next Lives Here
At the University of Cincinnati, we realize the impact our teaching, research, artistry and service can have on our community and the world. So, we don’t wait for change to happen. We break boundaries, boldly imagine and create what’s Next. To us, today’s possibilities spark tomorrow’s reality. That’s why we are leading urban public universities into a new era of innovation and impact, and that's how we are defining Next for the performing and media arts.
We're about engaging people and ideas - and transforming the world.
We are UC. Welcome to what's Next.
Featured image at top: The album art for John Adams' Girls of the Golden West recording and Decoda's self-titled debut album.
Additional Contacts
Rebecca Butts | Assistant Public Information Officer
buttsrl@ucmail.uc.edu | 513-556-2675
Related Stories
CCM shares fall 2022 schedule of performances and public events
August 12, 2022
Audiences are invited to return to the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music’s (CCM) concert halls and theaters to experience world-class performances and presentations by the next generation of performing and media artists! The college’s fall 2022 schedule of free and ticketed events is now available. Tickets go on sale beginning on Monday, Aug. 22, through the CCM Box Office website.
See a concert or show at CCM: Fall schedule of major events now available
August 15, 2023
Experience world-class performances by the next generation of performing and media artists at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)! The college’s fall 2023 schedule of ticketed events is now available; tickets are on sale beginning 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15 through the CCM Box Office website.
CCM shares spring 2023 schedule of major performances and events
November 22, 2022
Audiences are invited to return to the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music’s (CCM) concert halls and theaters to experience world-class performances and presentations by the next generation of performing and media artists! The college’s spring 2023 schedule of free and ticketed events is now available. Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning on Monday, Nov. 28, through the CCM Box Office.