SUSAN CONANT: A New Leaf

Susan Conant

A New Leaf

© 2006 Susan Conant (628740817223)

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Original chamber works inspired by Celtic melody, jazz rhythm and harmony, and classical foundations. Conant's evocative music and expressive flute playing paint a lush landscape of moods from contemplative to joyful.

notes

Composing is a bright new direction for Susan Conant, previously known for her chamber and folk music performances on flute, recorder and whistle. The tracks on this debut CD combine bits and pieces from Conant’s eclectic musical background. With melodies inspired by Celtic dance music, jazz harmony, Latin rhythms and classical forms, these new chamber works provide a fun and engaging addition to the flute repertoire.

Susan's grandmother (Lily Conant) was a long-time steward of Pinewoods, a folk dance and folk music camp in Plymouth, MA. Susan spent her summers there playing early music on the recorder and learning traditional dance and music from the British Isles and North America. She later studied flute performance at the New England Conservatory with Claude Monteux. As a founding member of James Street Players, a classical chamber group, Susan has performed in many Chicago area festivals and concert series. She was also instrumental in starting a Christmas Revels troupe in Chicago. She now directs and performs many genres of music at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva (UUSG), Illinois and enjoys playing traditional music with O're the Border, a Scottish Country Dance band, and Musaica, a Latin folk music band.

Jacqueline Schwab, featured on "Celtic Suite", is well-known for her improvisational piano playing. She has recorded three solo CDs and performs on over forty other albums including the soundtrack for Ken Burns' “Civil War” documentary. Her playing has been described as "gorgeously spare" (The Boston Globe) yet "sounds as if she has an orchestra at her fingertips" (Sing Out). Jacqueline's style fits somewhere between folk traditional, classical and new age. Although improvisation is often connected with jazz, Jacqueline derives inspiration from traditional and classical music.

Lynn McCanne's expressive piano playing can be heard on "Duet", "Fantasy", "The Tide", and "Lord Balgonie's Medley". Lynn performs locally in the western suburbs of Chicago, provides piano music at UUSG and is a member of a number of vocal ensembles.

Cynthia Spiegel, featured on "The Tide", has been making a name for herself as a vocal soloist in the Chicago area. As a member of St Charles Singers, Cynthia performed as soloist in their 2006 tour of France.

Conor Mackey ("Dialogue" and "Sassafras Reel") is a very talented high school senior who hopes to major in composition. He is equally accomplished on both classical bassoon and electric guitar and moves easily between an eclectic array of musical styles from classical to jazz and funk.

Wendy Evans-Glazier, violinist, ("Lord Balgonie’s Medley" and "Bonnie at Morn") holds a Bachelor of Music degree in performance from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, and a Master of Music degree and Performance Certificate from Northwestern University. She has held positions with the Omaha Symphony, Florida Symphony, Hong Kong Philharmonic and the Elgin Symphony. She also performs with the Chicago Philharmonic, Ravinia Festival Orchestra, Grant Park Symphony, Chicago Opera Theater, and the Rockford Symphony.

As a member of the Telos String Quartet, she performed numerous recitals in the Midwestern states and in Italy. She has recorded with Mannheim Steamroller and John Denver, and performed with such popular artists as Josh Grobin, Patti LaBelle, Vince Gill and Ray Charles.

Larry Glazier, cellist, ("Lord Balgonie’s Medley" and "Bonnie at Morn") has held positions with the Hong Kong Philharmonic and the Elgin Symphony. He also performs with the Grant Park Symphony, Chicago Lyric Opera, and the Rockford Symphony.

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  • Highly inspiring, the compositions feel earthy and light
    author: eva serra

    The music is very soothing and deep. I love to have it as background to awake my senses and work calmly. It helps me with concentration. I strongly recommend it.

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