Seattle Symphony Releases CD "Echoes"

Seattle Symphony and Starbucks Entertainment announced the release of an exciting CD of new works inspired by the masterpieces of the past and commissioned and recorded by Gerard Schwarz and the Seattle Symphony. The new CD, titled "Echoes," will be released today at Starbucks Company-operated locations in Western Washington and online at www.starbucks.com/hearmusic.

This announcement marks the first time Starbucks Entertainment has teamed with a major symphony orchestra to co-release a CD.

"I've dedicated my whole life to making classical music available to as large an audience as possible," Maestro Schwarz said. "This CD not only brings us the music of Brahms, Stravinsky, Handel, Lutkin, Monk and Clarke," he explained, "but allows us to hear these works through the innovative compositions of our greatest American composers."

Maestro Schwarz asked several composers to create new works based on works that inspired them. The result is a compilation of pieces by Aaron Jay Kernis, John Harbison, Bright Sheng, David Schiff, David Stock, Samuel Jones and Schwarz himself.

"I asked each composer to arrange, orchestrate or vary an older work they loved," Schwarz explained, "and the results are truly extraordinary. This new CD, 'Echoes,' is the music they personally treasured, written in their own voices. What a gift, to be part of such a unique partnership."

Maestro Schwarz has assembled an elite collection of composers to create new works for 'Echoes.' The result is an intelligent and thoroughly enjoyable collection that we know our customers are going to love," said Ken Lombard, president Starbucks Entertainment. "We are proud to partner with the Seattle Symphony to offer this unique musical collection to our customers." -- www.seattlesymphony.org