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New York Polyphony’s first disc for acclaimed record label BIS Records explores rare and never-before-recorded masterpieces of the Franco-Flemish Renaissance by composers Crecquillon, Brumel and Clemens non Papa. The program concludes with Jackson Hill’s brilliant paraphrase of Machaut’s 14th century rondeau, My end is my beginning, commissioned by the ensemble in 2009.

endBeginning is slated for release Spring 2012. But thanks to a special partnership with eClassical.com, a digital pre-release of the full album plus a holiday bonus track (the French carol Noël nouvelet arranged by Andrew Smith) is AVAILABLE NOW.

For more information on endBeginning, click HERE.

DEVICES & DESIRES

The outcome of a highly successful online Gregorian chant remix competition sponsored by Indaba Music, Devices & Desires puts a modern spin on the Medieval. This experimental 9-song digital EP features groundbreaking remixes of three of plainchant’s most celebrated melodies (Victimae paschali laudes, Gaudeamus in omnes Domino, and Beati mundo corde) by the six contest winners.

From the pointillistic explorations of David Minnick to the halo of Eileen Carpio’s vocal harmonies, the remixes chart new creative ground. And when paired with the original chants—recorded exclusively for this collection by New York Polyphony—they combine to create a fascinating juxtaposition of ancient and modern music.

Devices & Desires is available exclusively on Ariama.com, the new classical online store from Sony Music.

TUDOR CITY

Released in 2010, Tudor City explores the music of Tudor England in what Minnesota Public Radio’s Valerie Kahler calls “…a stunning tour through chant, polyphony and renaissance harmonies.” Four new works by acclaimed composer Andrew Smith are integrated seamlessly, giving the sequence a refreshingly modern feel.

Standout tracks include Stella Caeli by the obscure composer Walter Lambe, Tye’s In pace (the “video” for which can be found on YouTube) and Dunstable’s beautifully angular Speciosa facta est.  The disc begins with a daring yet effective revoicing of Byrd’s famous motet Ave verum corpus.

Strong sales in the wake of a segment on NPR’s All Things Considered—which ranked Tudor City among the best new classical CDs—sent New York Polyphony to the top of the Billboard classical album chart. The album spent three weeks in the Top 10, peaking at #6 in June 2010.

“…a snapshot of a most promising young ensemble.”
(WQXR FM NYC, Full Rotation: Featured Album of the Week)

“…full of ethereal, other-worldly music, as sung by angels. Big, burly angels.” (Valerie Kahler, MPR, New Classical Tracks)

For more information on Tudor City, click HERE.

SURREXIT CHRISTUS

Surrexit Christus, a “spin-off” of Tudor City, charts new ground for New York Polyphony both in terms of delivery and content. This 3-song EP is available for download only—a first for NYP—and features the work of experimental composer and performer Bora Yoon.

Yoon, with help from producer Brian McKenna (Btoven), transforms composer Andrew Smith’s spellbinding Surrexit Christus using techniques usually reserved for electronic and alternative music. The result is a lush sound collage, propelled by rhythmic pulses and bass sweeps, that melds Smith’s icy harmonies with whispered excerpts from Emily Dickinson’s “Because I could not stop for Death.”

Additional tracks include the original mix of Surrexit Christus found on Tudor City and the previously unreleased Beata progenies, a composition by the 15th century English composer Lionel Power.

I SING THE BIRTH

New York Polyphony’s debut release I sing the birth has garnered unanimous acclaim. An intimate meditation on the Christmas season, this 60-minute sequence of unaccompanied music spanning nine centuries offers a unique, diverse and spellbinding musical experience.

Released in 2007 on Avie Records, I sing the birth topped “Editor’s Choice” lists in both the U.S and the U.K. Classic FM Magazine awarded it 5 stars—its top rating—and Gramophone Magazine called it “one of the season’s best.”

“…If you buy one disc this Christmas, make it I sing the birth by New York Polyphony.” (RSCM Quarterly)

“…an exceptionally lovely disc, superbly performed and recorded….” (International Record Review)

“…a magical CD to return to often.” (Choir & Organ)

“This is my Christmas CD of 2007.” (Terry Blain, BBC Music Magazine)