New Classical Tracks: Melanie DeMore

Composer Melanie DeMore and VocalEssence recently released their latest album featuring music for healing and nourishment. They joined host Julie Amacher at Minnesota Public Radio’s headquarters to speak about the recording and the healing power of music.

On his new recording, Iranian American harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani breathes new life into the first book of J.S. Bach’s ‘The Well-Tempered Clavier.’ It’s part of his project to record all of Bach’s keyboard music. Find out more on this episode of ‘New Classical Tracks’ with host Julie Amacher.

Composer and vocalist Shruthi Rajasekar explains the design and purpose of the veena and mridangam, traditional Indian classical music instruments performed here by Nirmala Rajasekar and Thanjavur K. Murugaboopathi respectively.

This year’s Pärnu Music Festival in Estonia was a 90th birthday celebration for composer Arvo Pärt. A musical gift from that festival is a new live recording featuring the Estonian Festival Orchestra and 10 works by Pärt. Paavo Järvi discusses this new release on this episode of New Classical Tracks with host Julie Amacher.

Composer, vocal activist and conductor Melanie DeMore talks about her deep connection with VocalEssence, a relationship which started in 2014, and the way in which the ensemble creates spaces for members of the community.

Listen as the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, led by Melanie DeMore, take you on a journey from sea to sky in this rendition of “If I Were Bird”, recorded at the flagship studios of Minnesota Public Radio in St. Paul. Enjoy!

In 2010, Estonian composer Arvo Pärt wrote a piece dedicated to conductor Paavo Järvi. Listen as Järvi speaks with host Julie Amacher about the piece in this clip from ‘New Classical Tracks,’ where he also discusses his latest album celebrating Pärt’s 90th birthday.

Pianist Angela Hewitt speaks with host Julie Amacher about the importance of having a singing voice when performing Mozart. Learn more about Hewitt’s recent album on the latest episode of ‘New Classical Tracks.’

Congratulations to VocalEssence for the release of their latest album, ‘How to Hold On,’ available today! To celebrate, listen as composer, vocal activist and conductor Melanie DeMore talks about how blessed she is to sing and feel connected to other human beings.

Congratulations to VocalEssence for the release of their latest album, ‘How to Hold On,’ available today! Enjoy as conductor Philip Brunelle leads the group in a performance of one of the pieces featured on the album, “Blessed Be” by composer Melanie DeMore.