MICHAEL-THOMAS FOUMAI
COMPOSER
MEMORY
Patrick Yim, violin
Navona Records
FOUMAI: Relics
The music on MEMORY, the Navona Records debut by acclaimed violinist Patrick Yim, is linked together by the themes of memory, culture, and identity. The albums title track was composed by the Chinese-born composer Chen Yi who searched for a harmonious marriage of centuries-old Western and Chinese musical traditions as she remembered her beloved violin teacher, Lin Yaoji. The albums final selection, Relics, composed by Michael-Thomas Foumai, was commissioned by Yim as a suite of companion pieces to be performed at the Hong Kong Museum of Historys special exhibit. The work is a suite of eight movements inspired by artifacts featured at the exhibition.
CITYSCAPING
The Brass Project
CD Baby
FOUMAI: Psalm
Cityscaping is the culmination of years of effort by The Brass Project to bring engaging, adventurous new music to a wide audience. This debut album features several of the thirty-two works we commissioned specifically for our inaugural season. We’re very proud to finally share this new music with the wider world!
In this commissioning project, composers were asked to write music they imagined might be performed in a public space, perhaps even outdoors. We also asked that they keep their works short – roughly three minutes in length.
MOMENTUM 21
Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra
Kirk Trevor, music director
FOUMAI: Lady Dark
The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra celebrates its history, growth, and development with this recording of four new works. A fitting tribute to longtime music director Kirk Trevor who retires in 2015 after a 27-year tenure, the four works by James Aikman (commissioned by the ICO), Christopher Theofanidis, Derek Bermel and Michael-Thomas Foumai (winner of the 2014 ICO Contemporary Music Competition) were all recorded live in concert at the Indiana State University Contemporary Music Festival.
BORN AND RAISED: New Music for Solo Guitar
Hawaiian Guitarist and Composer Ian O'Sullivan has been described as "Thoughtful" by Classical Guitar Magazine and "Delightful" by the Honolulu Advertiser. He performs a range of styles from Classical to Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar. After completing his Master's degree at Yale University, Ian collected and commissioned works from other Hawaiian Composers to make this one of a kind CD. Initial funds for recording the album were raised via Kickstarter and the CD was recorded at Island Sound Studios in Honolulu.
OUR LEGACY LIVES ON
Royal Hawaiian Band
Clarke Bright, conductor
FOUMAI: Spiritus Mundi
This product is a limited edition and will not be reproduced again beyond the original count of 2,000 CDs. Established in 1836 through a royal decree by King Kamehameha III, the Royal Hawaiian Band is the only band in the United States that was founded by royalty! In addition to its’ royal legacy, the band has now been in continual existence for more than 175 years without missing a single beat.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN BAND AND FRIENDS
Royal Hawaiian Band
Michael Nakasone, conductor
FOUMAI: Auld Lang Syne (Old Scottish Melody)
Songs performed include: Joy to the World, Christmas Time Again Aloha, Jingle Bells, Christmas Time is Here, Hawaiian Fa-la-la!, Here Comes Santa in a Red Canoe (Scott Furushima, Kaipo Asing, Gary Aiko), Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night), Sleigh Ride, Angels We Have Heard on High, Do You Hear What I Hear?, Song of Christmas, Silent Night, White Christmas, Old Scottish Melody (Auld Lang Syne), and Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire).