Oberlin Music Releases Ravel: Intimate Masterpieces

Throughout her career, internationally heralded harpist Yolanda Kondonassis has found herself fascinated by the “luscious” creations of French composer Maurice Ravel. Ravel: Intimate Masterpieces, newly released on Oberlin Music, is a celebration of Kondonassis’ longtime love of Ravel’s music—and a celebration of the great roster of Oberlin Conservatory of Music talent that came together with her to record the album on campus in January 2013.

Intimate Masterpieces is available now by digital download (through iTunes) and on CD (amazon.com) beginning October 29. It will be distributed by Naxos of America, the world’s largest independent digital distributor of classical music.

“This disc is especially meaningful because I was able to make it with such wonderful players and to celebrate the wealth of artistry and musical opportunity that lives at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music,” says Kondonassis, an assistant professor at Oberlin.

In addition to Kondonassis, Intimate Masterpieces features fellow Oberlin faculty members Richard Hawkins on clarinet and Alexa Still on flute; Oberlin alumni soprano Ellie Dehn and pianist Spencer Myer; and the Jupiter String Quartet, Oberlin’s quartet-in-residence for 2012-14, featuring alumni violist Liz Freivogel.

“This album, and the outstanding performers who created it, speak to the very essence of what Oberlin Music is all about: a forum for celebrating and sharing the extraordinary talent and artistic vision of Oberlin’s faculty, alumni, and friends,” says Andrea Kalyn, acting dean of the Oberlin Conservatory.

The release of Ravel: Intimate Masterpieces will be celebrated on campus with a performance by the musicians featured on the album. That concert, which marks the launch of the 2013-14 Artist Recital Series at Oberlin, takes place on Tuesday, November 5.

ABOUT OBERLIN MUSIC: Oberlin Music is the commercial label of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, dedicated to promoting the artistic ideals and talent of Oberlin’s faculty and students. Established in 1865 as a division of Oberlin College, the Oberlin Conservatory is one of the premier professional training institutions in the world. Its graduates have achieved prominence as performers, composers, conductors, educators, and scholars, and are found in major orchestras and opera companies everywhere.