Klarinet Archive - Posting 000459.txt from 2000/12

From: whitco@-----.net
Subj: [kl] New Release: The Music of Richard White
Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2000 13:55:32 -0500

Greetings:

I'm hoping it's not entirely inappropriate to announce here the release on
CD of my brand-new musical setting of the lyrics to the traditional
Christmas carol, AWAY IN A MANGER, as sung by LINDA RONSTADT on her album,
a MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS, on the Elektra label (62572-2).

The accompaniment is lovingly arranged for harp, strings and small choral
ensemble.

As some of you may know, Linda Ronstadt's long career has been
characterized by its fearless approach to a variety of musical styles; she
follows her own drummer. And on this, her first and only Christmas offering
in her 35 year career, she has continued this tradition.

I was honored when she chose my version of Away in a Manger over the
traditional tunes we all know. A few days after playing Away in a Manger
for her for the first time, Linda confided to me that "...your melody
sticks to me like Velcro." Of Away in a Manger Linda Ronstadt has also said:

"My daughter's piano teacher adapted this version. He took an old text and
gave it a brand new setting. He's very Americana," Ronstadt says. "It's
kind of like he was the guy who
lives down the street from George Gershwin. He also gave this a turn of the
century kind of modernism."

Daniel Buckley, music critic of theTucson Citizen said:

"Tucsonan Richard White's version of "Away In a Manger" is a far cry from
the simple tune we've come to know. The sophisticated writing pulls the ear
in fascinating melodic and harmonic directions. Ultimately, this is the
version I'll return to."

>From the New York Times:

"The album enraptures with the sacred music of its second half. Ms.
Ronstadt has chosen carols for elegance and poignancy, and the
arrangements, enhanced by a small choir, hypnotize. Ms. Ronstadt gives yet
another honorable tradition her inimitable stamp."

The CD includes (aside from chestnuts such as White Christmas, sung with
Rosemary Clooney), O Magnum Mysterium, Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming, I
Wonder As I Wander, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, in which Linda Ronstadt
submerges her voice (as well as her ego) into choirs from Tucson (where we
live) and Los Angeles.

The CD is available at retail outlets worldwide as well as online at
amazon.com and many other sites offering CDs for sale. The voice and
keyboard version will be available from Whitco Press (see signature and
follow the appropriate links.)

I hope you enjoy the music!

Best,
Richard White

New Release: Linda Ronstadt sings Richard White on
'A Merry Little Christmas' - Elektra #62572-2/4
CDs: 'Music for Guitar' and 'Music for Woodwinds and Piano'
available at: http://www.mp3.com/richardwhite
http:/listen.to/richardwhite whitco@-----.net

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