World Premiere CD: WVCMF+GL Frank

The Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival  is releasing its first CD!

After two sold-out seasons, the Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival is embarking on a major recording project, which will include the world premiere recording of renowned American composer Gabriela Lena Frank’s Milagros as well as her much loved Leyendas. The Festival Quartet performed these works as part of its 2017 season and has partnered with Frank to create a one-of-a-kind recording.

To some of you, Gabriela needs no introduction: she’s won a million awards, been commissioned and performed by the greatest ensembles in the world, and last year the Washington Post named her one of the 35 most important women in the history of classical music … plus, perhaps her crowning achievement (in our humble opinion), last summer she was our festival’s 2017 Composer-in-Residence!

We had an absolutely amazing time working with Gabriela and playing her music (in some seriously beautiful wineries spaces)… in fact, the experience was so magical that when she casually said, “wow, you guys sound amazing - you should really record these pieces", we couldn’t get the idea out of our heads.  Then somehow, the schedules of one famous composer, 5 busy musicians in different corners of the country, a four-time grammy award winning producer, and a working winery barrel room (with perfect acoustics) all happened to align to be free for the same week of recording... it must have been un milagro!

We couldn’t be more proud of the love and musicianship that was invested into this recording project.  Extraordinary music.  Great friendships and artistry.  One-of-a-kind acoustics.  But for it to be released to the public and truly blossom, we need your help and support.  Your tax-deductable donation will help to pay costs incurred for such vital things as recording engineering, CD production, musician costs, travel, marketing, and licensing fees.

If supporting a world premiere recording of powerful music by a fantastic Latina composer sounds good, but you need just a bit of a push, we put together a few perks... as a thank you for your generous gift:

$25         One digital download of the album*
$30         One copy of finished CD *
$75         One thick stock print of one of our favorite festival images + digital download/CD
$125      One copy of CD, signed by Gabriela Lena Frank
$250      Your name in CD jacket
$500     "A taste of Oregon" package (bursting with local flavors to munch and sip!)
$750      Private wine tasting session with Jay Somers and festival musicians**
$1000   Executive Producer credits on the recording (plus lower level reward of your choice)

*Please note, the finishing touches on the album are scheduled to be completed in late 2018.  Some patience may be required.
**Travel not included. To be redeemed at a time to be mutually coordinated, pending scheduling availability!

We  can’t thank you enough. We know that by coming together we can take the future of this work to the highest level!

Cheers!
Sasha, Leo, Brad, Greg, Megumi and Gabriela

(PS. Read on past the photo if you want more of the nitty-gritty details!)


Our project:
The project is a commercially produced and distributed recording of two major works for string quartet by Latina American composer Gabriela Lena Frank, as performed by the musicians of the Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival. The pieces, Leyendas (2001) and Milagros (2010), are already widely acclaimed works displaying Ms. Frank’s mastery of western classical compositional techniques seamlessly interwoven with scenes of her Peruvian heritage - snapshots of South American folklore, culture and indigenous music through her uniquely American lens.  Milagros will constitute a world premiere recording, and due to the composer’s intricate involvement in this recording process, will immediately establish itself as a reference recording for the work.

Our goals:
We live in a world where music by women composers (especially those of color) is played much less frequently than men.  With this backdrop, we have made it a priority to use our concerts, projects and composer residencies to champion the work of women and other under-represented groups.  By undertaking this recording project, and with it a commitment to its national visibility, our hope is that the advancement of Ms. Frank’s work will positively impact the chronic under-representation of these groups in classical music.  We believe that increased access to these works will catalyze other musicians and arts organizations to program them, and that that will aid to incrementally ‘level the playing field.’ 

This project also represents a pivotal first professional recording for our organization, and we view it as an important artistic contribution to our region, as well as a our part of a broader national conversation about race and gender, particularly at this politically and socially charged time. 

Our organization:
The Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival's mission is to celebrate, educate and enrich the lives of Oregon communities through access to diverse musical performances, musicians and composers. 

Our primary focus is an annual summer festival of concerts performed in Oregon wineries, with supporting events throughout the year. Performances are public, and in addition to the main festival, include additional family, youth and educational outreach activities. In all, the focus is on highlighting the important connection between people, place and art in accessible, intimate venues.  The winery venues are invaluable partners to to help connect classical music to non-traditional audiences.

A 501(c)3 non-profit organization, WVCMF was formed in 2015 and held two sold out seasons in 2016 and 2017.  Thanks to this demand, the 2018 festival represents significant growth in the  organizations size and scope, now comprising three programs (with repeat performances), spread over three weekends. A key element of the organization’s work is to provide a platform for diverse living composers. Already, WVCMF has attracted world-renowned composers including Gabriela Lena Frank and Kenji Bunch to serve as the festival’s Composers-in-Residence, and our 2018 resident composer will be Joan Tower.