Harbison, Ruggles & Stucky: Orchestral Works National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic & David Alan Miller

• Carl Ruggles (1876-1971):
• 1 Sun-treader 15:25
• Steven Stucky (1949-2016): Concerto for Orchestra No. 2:
• 2 I. Overture (With Friends) 04:46
• 3 II. Variations 13:47
• 4 III. Finale 06:52
• John Harbison (1938 -): Symphony No. 4:
• 5 I. Fanfare 02:59
• 6 II. Intermezzo 05:20
• 7 III. Scherzo 06:24
• 8 IV. Threnody 04:54
• 9 V. Finale 04:33
• Total Runtime 01:05:00

Info for Harbison, Ruggles & Stucky: Orchestral Works

This is the third recording in a multi-year partnership between the National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic and Naxos to release one album of American music each year. A study in dramatic contrasts, Carl Ruggles’ ‘Sun-Treader’ is an overwhelming, granite-hued tone poem by one of New England’s most original and uncompromising composers. Steven Stucky’s luminous Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘Second Concerto for Orchestra’ is a riveting exploration of sonority and sound-painting while John Harbison’s ‘Fourth Symphony’ is a big, bold, jazz-imbued work by one of America’s most important living symphonists. These three American orchestral masterpieces comprise a program that will impress and delight in equal measure. Grammy Award-winning conductor David Alan Miller has established a reputation as one of the leading American conductors of his generation. His work with the National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic has resulted in several critically-acclaimed recordings. “Conductor David Alan Miller’s tempos are broad, letting the music breathe and allowing the composer’s clear textures and melodic warmth to be fully revealed. The NOIP plays magnificently.” (Audiophile Audition)

"The third movement Finale is almost like an American version of Bartók’s “Game of Pairs” from his famous Concerto for Orchestra. Stucky is clearly enjoying himself, tossing short snippets of themes around and somehow managing to make them stick together. It’s quite a piece, and Miller’s conducting brings out the work’s best features while giving the listener an exhilarating ride." (The Art Music Lounge)

National Institute Philharmonic
David Alan Miller, conductor

David Alan Miller
Grammy Award-winning conductor David Alan Miller has established a reputation as one of the leading American conductors of his generation. Music Director of the Albany Symphony since 1992, Mr. Miller has proven himself a creative and compelling orchestra builder. Through exploration of unusual repertoire, educational programming, community outreach and recording initiatives, he has reaffirmed the Albany Symphony's reputation as the nation's leading champion of American symphonic music and one of its most innovative orchestras. He and the orchestra appeared twice at "Spring For Music," the festival of America's most creative orchestras at New York City's Carnegie Hall. Other accolades include Columbia University's 2003 Ditson Conductor's Award, the oldest award honoring conductors for their commitment to American music, the 2001 ASCAP Morton Gould Award for Innovative Programming and, in 1999, ASCAP's first-ever Leonard Bernstein Award for Outstanding Educational Programming.

Recent guest appearances include the Tucson and Hawaii Symphonies, Sacramento and Buffalo Philharmonics, the American Youth Symphony Orchestra, National Orchestral Institute, Vietnamese National Orchestra in Hanoi, Chicago Symphony at the Ravinia Festival, and Portugal's Estoril Festival. Frequently in demand as a guest conductor, Mr. Miller has worked with most of America's major orchestras, including the orchestras of Baltimore, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and San Francisco, as well as the New World Symphony, the Boston Pops and the New York City Ballet. In addition, he has appeared frequently throughout Europe, Australia and the Far East as guest conductor. He made his first guest appearance with the BBC Scottish Symphony in March, 2014.

Mr. Miller received a Grammy Award in January, 2014 for his Naxos recording of John Corigliano's "Conjurer," with the Albany Symphony and Dame Evelyn Glennie. His extensive discography also includes recordings of the works of Todd Levin with the London Symphony Orchestra for Deutsche Grammophon, as well as music by Michael Daugherty, Kamran Ince, and Michael Torke for London/Decca, and of Luis Tinoco for Naxos. His recordings with the Albany Symphony include discs devoted to the music of John Harbison, Roy Harris, Morton Gould, Don Gillis, Peter Mennin, and Vincent Persichetti on the Albany Records label.

A native of Los Angeles, David Alan Miller holds a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a master's degree in orchestral conducting from The Juilliard School. Prior to his appointment in Albany, Mr. Miller was Associate Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. From 1982 to 1988, he was Music Director of the New York Youth Symphony, earning considerable acclaim for his work with that ensemble. Mr. Miller lives with his wife and three children in Slingerlands, New York..

Booklet for Harbison, Ruggles & Stucky: Orchestral Works