Opus Two Celebrates Stephen Sondheim: New Chamber Music Arrangements
Best Classical Compendium
Best Engineered Album, Classical
Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance (for Fleet Street Suite)
Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella (for Fleet Street Suite)
Best Classical Compendium
Best Engineered Album, Classical
Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance (for Fleet Street Suite)
Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella (for Fleet Street Suite)
The acclaimed Opus Two violin-piano duo presents new arrangements of musical highlights from Stephen Sondheim's Broadway shows.
Called “suave” (Fanfare Magazine) and “a winner” (BBC Magazine), this third partnership between Opus Two (violinist William Terwilliger and pianist Andrew Cooperstock) and arranger Eric Stern includes collaborations with Broadway actress-singer Elena Shaddow, baritone Andrew Garland and cellist Beth Vanderborgh. The album features suites from A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd, as well as a number of additional, highly imaginative arrangements for solo, duo, and trio configurations.
Eric Stern reminisces about his work with Sondheim: “I was one of the many lucky ones who got to work with Sondheim and experience close hand his genius, collaborative nature, and inherent kindness." Stern's work with Sondheim included the 1984 revival of Pacific Overtures, conducting Sunday in the Park with George in the second year of its original run, co-music directing the first production of Into the Woods, conducting productions of Follies, and conducting Merrily We Roll Along at the Kennedy Center. Stern writes that "My last conversation with him was about the Little Night Music suite which you’ll find on this album. We are all extremely grateful for his enthusiastic endorsement of the arrangement and performance, muted only by our sorrow that the rest were written after his passing.”
Called “suave” (Fanfare Magazine) and “a winner” (BBC Magazine), this third partnership between Opus Two (violinist William Terwilliger and pianist Andrew Cooperstock) and arranger Eric Stern includes collaborations with Broadway actress-singer Elena Shaddow, baritone Andrew Garland and cellist Beth Vanderborgh. The album features suites from A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd, as well as a number of additional, highly imaginative arrangements for solo, duo, and trio configurations.
Eric Stern reminisces about his work with Sondheim: “I was one of the many lucky ones who got to work with Sondheim and experience close hand his genius, collaborative nature, and inherent kindness." Stern's work with Sondheim included the 1984 revival of Pacific Overtures, conducting Sunday in the Park with George in the second year of its original run, co-music directing the first production of Into the Woods, conducting productions of Follies, and conducting Merrily We Roll Along at the Kennedy Center. Stern writes that "My last conversation with him was about the Little Night Music suite which you’ll find on this album. We are all extremely grateful for his enthusiastic endorsement of the arrangement and performance, muted only by our sorrow that the rest were written after his passing.”
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ReviewsAn "utterly charming and beautiful tribute to Stephen Sondheim..."
~WFMT (Robbie Ellis) "In all, this is a hugely enjoyable release, showcasing a very fine arranger, guest soloists and a clear demonstration that Opus Two are a duo to watch." ~The Light Music Society "Terwilliger and Cooperstock bring out every nuance of the music with subtlety and where necessary, tenderness... If you are a Sondheim fan it is essential. For others it’s a gift that should be savored. Enjoy!" ~American Record Guide |
Track Listing
About Opus Two
Opus Two has been internationally recognized for its “divine phrases, impelling rhythm, elastic ensemble and stunning sounds,” as well as its commitment to expanding the violin-piano duo repertoire. Violinist William Terwilliger and pianist Andrew Cooperstock have performed together extensively across six continents, served as artist-faculty at prestigious summer music festivals, and presented master classes worldwide from Juilliard to the China Central Conservatory. Champions of American music, Opus Two has recorded a critically acclaimed series of single-composer discs dedicated to the music of Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, Paul Schoenfield, Lowell Liebermann, Leonard Bernstein, and Stephen Sondheim. Andrew Cooperstock is currently Professor of Piano at the University of Colorado, and William Terwilliger is Professor of Violin at the University of South Carolina. Together, they are directors of the Global Seminar: Chamber Music France. opustwo.org