Acclaimed American composer Mark Abel’s sixth album for Delos extends his growing command of chamber writing while also delivering three major new vocal works. Celebrated sopranos Isabel Bayrakdarian (four times a Juno Award winner) and Hila Plitmann (a pair of Grammys and a longtime Abel collaborator) are joined by mezzo Kindra Scharich in presenting the song cycles Trois Femmes du Cinema and 1966, and debuting Two Scenes from “The Book of Esther,” a provocative excerpt from an opera in development. The album’s impressive array of instrumentalists includes pianist Carol Rosenberger (making the final recording of her epic career); fellow pianists Dominic Cheli, Sean Kennard and Jeffrey LaDeur; Alexander String Quartet violist David Samuel; Pacific Symphony concertmaster Dennis Kim and young cello star Jonah Kim.

Artists

Isabel Bayrakdarian (soprano), Carol Rosenberger (piano), David Samuel (viola), Dominic Cheli (piano), Dennis Kim (violin), Jonah Kim (cello), Sean Kennard (piano), Hila Plitmann (soprano), Kindra Scharich (mezzo-soprano), Adam Millstein (violin), Max Opferkuch (clarinet), Jeff Garza (horn), Christy Kim (flute), Jeffrey LaDeur (piano), Trio Barclay