Gabriela Lena Frank joins Ensemble MEME and pianist Molly Morkoski to celebrate the release of the world premiere Albany Records disc, 'Compadrazgo.' The CD surveys four works with piano composed within seven years: one for solo piano (Sonata Andina); one for flute and piano (Sueños de Chambi); another for flute, clarinet and piano (Canto de Harawi); and one for piano quintet (Tres Homanajes: Compadrazgo).
The artists perform selections from the CD on December 12 at New York City's Dillon Gallery. The disc, Albany TROY1449, is available for sale from Albany Records and stores.
Born in Berkeley to a mother of Peruvian/Chinese ancestry and a father of Lithuanian/Jewish descent, Gabriela Lena Frank explores her multicultural heritage most ardently through her compositions. Frank traveled extensively throughout South American; her pieces reflect and refract her studies of Latin-American folklore. They incorporate poetry, mythology, and native musical styles in a western classical framework. Winner of a Latin Grammy and nominated for Grammys as both composer and pianist, Frank holds a Guggenheim Fellowship and a USA Artist Fellowship.
