Peter Boyer: Balance of Power & Other Orchestral Works
7/8/2022, 10 Tracks, 59:10
Featuring
Peter Boyer
Christine Pendrill
Bryn Lewis
James Fountain
London Symphony Orchestra
Did you know?
1/7
Compositional Technique
The second movement of "Balance of Power," titled "A Sense of Humor," features a duet between contrabassoon and bass clarinet, representing 'musical negotiations' in a tongue-in-cheek reference to Dr. Kissinger's low speaking voice.
Recording & Production
This album is the third recording by Peter Boyer, a frequently performed American orchestral composer, in the Naxos American Classics series.
Composition History
"Fanfare for Tomorrow" was commissioned for the inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden on January 20, 2021, and was premiered by 'The President's Own' United States Marine Band.
Composition History
The work "Balance of Power" was commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to honor the 95th birthday of Dr. Henry Kissinger, a former US Secretary of State.
Composer's Artistic Vision
When commissioned for "Balance of Power," Dr. Henry Kissinger, a former US Secretary of State, made two requests to the composer: 'Please don't make it too abstract, so I can understand it'; and 'Could it be a humorous symphony?'
Composer's Artistic Vision
"Radiance" is the only work on this album that was not commissioned; Peter Boyer created it specifically for this recording to explore the lyricism of the London Symphony Orchestra's string section.
Performer Biography
The London Symphony Orchestra, established in 1904, is one of the first orchestras shaped by its musicians and has made more recordings than any other orchestra, with 2,500 to its name.
