San Francisco Classical Voice
Jason Victor Serinus
November 30, 2009

Given the large number of fine recordings released in the past year, a first-time visitor to Planet Earth would hardly suspect that the record industry is in the doldrums. Nor will the music lovers on your holiday gift list think anything is amiss, if you present them with one or more of the sonic goodies in the guide that follows.

For well over a year, SFCV has been publishing reviews of CDs and DVDs. Most recordings that we’ve already covered, which run the gamut from core repertoire to the new and upcoming, would make swell holiday gifts. Rather than revisiting them, here are a few other significant recordings, some holiday-themed, that will definitely perk up your New Year.

Derek Bermel: Voices (BMOP/sound 1008)
Gil Rose’s Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP) is a godsend for contemporary music fans and their curious cohorts. Billing itself as “the nation’s leading orchestra dedicated exclusively to new music,” it has released a thrilling series of sound recordings, which now totals 17 discs. Especially recommended is this fabulous, Super Audio CD of music by composer/clarinetist Derek Bermel. If Voices, For Solo Clarinet and Orchestra doesn’t have you jamming by its end, it may be time for a one-way ticket to Valhalla.

DEREK BERMEL
VOICES
DEREK BERMEL; BOSTON MODERN ORCHESTRA PROJECT; GIL ROSE
BMOP SOUND
$20.98