Complete Discography
reverse chronological order
Zaimont Suite four-movement video suite
with music by Judith Zaimont, art by Gary Zaimont
| View individual movements: |
| 1: The Joy of Dance ~ art song “Clair de lune” performed by Charles Bressler, tenor, J. Zaimont, piano |
| 2: Borealis ~ mixed quintet Borealis, mvt. 1 of Sky Curtains performed by nsemble conducted by Doris L. Kosloff |
| 3: BEASTS ~ symphonic wind ensemble Growler, from Symphony for Wind Orchestra in Three Scenes - performed by University of Minnesota Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jerry Luckhardt, conductor |
| 4: Serenade ~ piano solo performed by J. Zaimont |
Art Fire Soul: Piano Works of Judith Lang Zaimont (2-disc box set)
Elizabeth Moak, piano (solo début recording)
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Disc 1: SONATA CALENDAR COLLECTION (excerpts) JUPITER'S MOONS WIZARDS - THREE MAGIC MASTERS NOCTURNE: LA FIN DE SIÈCLE Disc 1: A CALENDAR SET - 12 VIRTUOSIC PRELUDES CORTÈGE FOR JACK premiere recording "Jazz Waltz" (from SUITE IMPRESSIONS) AMERICAN CITY: PORTRAIT OF NEW YORK premiere recording HESITATION RAG REFLECTIVE RAG JUDY'S RAG SERANADE Audio Clips: Io Callisto Central Park Garment Factory Release date: March 2012 MSR Classics 1366 |
JUDITH LANG ZAIMONT Piano Music
Christopher Atzinger, piano
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Sonata Nocturne 'La fin de siècle' A Calendar Set - 12 Virtuosic Preludes Release date: March 2012 Naxos 8.559665 |
ETERNAL EVOLUTION Music of Judith Lang Zaimont
The Harlem Quartet, string quartet
Awadagin Pratt, piano
Enhanced CD includes scores and score excerpts
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String Quartet 'The Figure' premiere recording ZONES - Piano Trio No. 2 ASTRAL ...a mirror life on the astral plain... viola solo, premiere recording Serenade violin, cello, piano, premiere recording Release date: April 2011 Navona Records (PARMA) “Immediately immerses the auditor in Zaimont’s own soundscape…. The musical language of the works on these two CDs is unmistakably Zaimont’s” – Canfield, FANFARE “The String Quartet, “The Figure,” is a strong, powerful post-Bartók sort of work, and the Trio No. 2, called Zones, appeals to me even more. In fact, the latter may be my favorite of Zaimont’s compositions. These are solidly constructed works—ruggedly expressive, if consistently austere, rewarding close, concentrated attention. They compel the attention of the listener, while making clear musical—if non-verbal—sense through contrapuntal rhythmic energy. The performances of both these major chamber works convey stunning conviction, captured beautifully on the recording.” - Simmons, FANFARE “In these chamber works the composer seeks above all that very intimate form of ensemble music-making that results from a tightly-knit ensemble of equals, each with a distinct identity and separate part to play. Thus the String Quartet, deriving its imagery from the idea of visual figuration illuminated in different ways, is a collaboration between partners, at times passionate, mysterious or easy-going and emotionally open.” - RECORDS INTERNATIONAL Audio Clips: Serenade ZONES (mvt.3 "Temperate") |
Zaimont :: Chroma -- Northern Lights; Ghosts; Elegy; STILLNESS
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Music for Orchestra CHROMA -- Northern Lights chamber orchestra GHOSTS symphonic strings ELEGY symphonic strings STILLNESS - Poem for Orchestra Slovak National Symphony Orchestra - Kirk Trevor, conductor Release date: April 2010 NAXOS: American Classics B0037TTQ92 “Shot through with colorful orchestral writing, melodic inventiveness, and Zaimont-ian textural shifting” - Canfield, FANFARE “These works are boldly painted in vivid orchestral colors, with a sense of direct emotional appeal.” - RECORDS INTERNATIONAL “* * * * A superb release of contemporary music.” - CINEMUSICAL CHROMA -- Northern Lights:: “Dynamism and shifting images that transfix the listener” - Canfield, FANFARE “A fascinating study in orchestral textures and rhythm” - CINEMUSICAL GHOSTS:: “Creates a kaleidoscope of sound. It’s quite a thrilling piece” - Bob Briggs, MusicWeb International ELEGY:: “An impassioned work composed in long arch-like segments that spin out continuously… the effect is mesmerizing.” - Simmons, FANFARE STILLNESS:: “Fascinating and brilliantly-colored … consistently engrossing.” - Simmons, FANFARE |
America's Millennium Tribute to Adolphe Sax, Series 2, Volume 14
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Parallel Play I: Fanfare II: Folksong III: Folderol Presidio Saxophone Quartet Release date: September 2008 AUR Recordings AUR CD 3131 |
Melville's Dozen
music for solo piano commissioned & performed by Nicola Melville
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Hitchin' - a travellin' groove Release date: September 2008 Innova Records B001E5PPE6 |
PRESTIDIGITATIONS -- Contemporary Concert Rags by J. L. ZAIMONT
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The American Ragtime Ensemble, directed by David Reffkin Doris L. Kosloff, Joanne Polk, Nanette K. Solomon & Judith L. Zaimont piano Elizabeth Ann Owens & Immanuel Davis flute 'Bubble-Up' Rag - Concertpiece for Flute and Piano Reflective Rag piano // ensemble // flute and piano Judy's Rag Lazy Beguine ensemble 'Hesitation' Rag Snazzy Sonata – An Entertainment for Two Serenade ** On CD Hotlist for February 2008 (MLA Association) Read review here. http://cdhotlist.btol.com “An irresistible program of original rags and other pieces of popular Americana that the composer tweaks to loving, rollicking and poignant effect... The performances are captivating across the board, including those featuring Zaimont herself as pianist.... The music enchants. ” - GRAMOPHONE ~ October-November 2007 “An elegant, gorgeous, and revelatory demonstration of the possibilities latent in one of America’s most venerated but stylistically underdeveloped forms. ” - WORLD Magazine ~ July 2007 “Lyricism, variety - delightful contemporary music. Zaimont brings ragtime solidly forward to the 21st century, yet honors its century-old origins. She gets us to view ragtime as music.” - Max Morath Additional reveiws from American Record Guide (Nov./Dec. 2007), All-Music Guide (Sept. 2007), Ragtimers.org (June 2007), and Classical Musice Guide (June 2007). Read reviews here. Audio Clips: Lazy Beguine Judy's Rag Serenade Release date: March 2007 MSR Classics MS 1238 |
American Women: Modern Voices in Piano Music
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Nancy Boston, piano Suite Impressions 1. Folk Song 2: Jazz Waltz 3: In Pop Style Beautiful and very accessible contemporary piano music…. , a great listening experience. -- Amazon.com |
Zaimont -- for Large Forces
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SACRED SERVICE for the Sabbath Evening (6 movements) James Maddalena, baritone, Ernst Senfft Chor, Berlin Radio Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz, conductor PARABLE: A Tale of Abram and Isaac John Aler, Frances Lucy, soli, Laudebus, members of the London Symphony Orchestra MEDITATIONS At the Time of the New Year Choral Society of Southern California, Nick Strimple, conductor A Woman of Valor - mezzo and string quartet, Samuel Adler, conductor Wonderful...affecting. Zaimont strikes her own epic note --the choral writing throughout cannily mixes declamatory, homophonic passages with simple, clear contrapuntal ones. A superb entry in Naxos's American Jewish Music series – one of the glories of this series. – Steve Schwartz at Classical Net [full review: http://www.classicalcdreview.com/jlz.html ] Beautifully lyrical …. Distinctive and persuasive. Much fine music here. The choral writing is sophisticated and quite demanding, though complexity is never allowed to obscure the texts…. This is one of the most consistently rewarding of the fascinating Milken Archive series. -- Glyn Pursglove at MusicWeb International http://www.musicweb-international.com/ classrev/2006/ Feb06/Zaimont_8559444.htm Release date: January 2006 NAXOS CD Naxos 8.55944 (part of the Milken Archive of American Jewish Music) |
PURE COLORS -- Music of Judith Lang Zaimont
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Solo music and other works for small forces WIZARDS - Three Magic Masters Young-Ah Tak, piano ASTRAL... a mirror life on the astral plane... John Anderson, clarinet Virgie Rainey - Two Narratives for Soprano, Mezzo and Piano Wendy Zaro-Mullins, soprano; Jean del Santo, mezzo-soprano; Timothy Lovelace, piano Valse Romantique Immanuel Davis, flute 'Tanya' Poems Tanya Remenikova, cello 'Bubble-Up' Rag - Concertpiece for Flute and Piano Immanuel Davis, flute; Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano A rewarding collection of well-made music, consistently inventive and accomplished, rhythmically and harmonically subtle. In its use of a variety of forces, never in danger of wearying the listener … Her music is various and undogmatic, inventive and readily approachable, the work of a composer who should be more widely known. -- Glyn Pursglove MusicWeb International www.musicweb.uk.net/classrev/2007/Feb07/ Zaimont_troy785.htm Cogent and completely expressed…. pleasurable listening experience. -- All Music Guide Release date: Projected Fall 2005 Albany Troy 785 |
Callisto: Music for Piano
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Sonata for Piano Solo I. Ricerca (10:10) II. Canto (11:46) III. Impronta digitale (7:55) Nocturne - La Fin de Siecle (7:04) Jupiter's Moons I. The Moons Swim in Orbit (1:14) II. Europa (3:06) III. Leda (4:56) IV. Io (3:17) V. Ganymede (2:48) VI. Callisto (4:50) "Hesitation" Rag (5:45) Joanne Polk, piano Album Review: "...full of rapturous melodies… harmonically fascinating" - Frank J. Oteri, NewMusicBox (full review here) Release date: December 2003 Albany Records CD, Troy 617 |
2001 Cliburn Competition Gold Medal Recital: Olga Kern
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"Impronta Digitale" -- Cliburn competition selected work Album Reviews: "The impromptu spirit not only lives but thrives in Judith Lang Zaimont's Impronta Digitale, one of the four works by living composers chosen for the [Cliburn] competition's semifinal round. A long, jazzy single line darts around the keyboard's lower register and materializes into toccata-like sequences and spiky arpeggios. As the piece progresses, textures grow more varied in terms of register and articulation, with generous portions of stabbing, motoric chords. A professor composition at the University of Minnesota School of Music, Zaimont has composed more than one hundred works in virtually every medium: opera, orchestra, chamber, vocal, choral, dance, film, and solo instrumental. One suspects that Impronta Digitale's ingenious and idiomatic keyboard writing has more than a little to do with the fact that Zaimont is an accomplished pianist in her own rights, who plays her own music with tremendous authority and verve." - Jed Distler, CD program notes Also see Kilstoft's interview with Zaimont on the 2001 Cliburn Competition in "Bibliography" Score excerpts: 1. Ricerca Release date: October 2001 Harmonia Munda CD 907289 |
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" ... 3: 4, 5 ... " (3-movement quintet for oboe, clarinet, violin, viola, contrabass) Members of Minnesota Orchestra Album review: "A major contribution to chamber music for winds and strings which hopefully will be heard frequently in concert halls worldwide. A remarkably effective 21+ minute work by a major American composer perhaps just reaching the height of her powers…. Skillfully constructed, listener accessible, and yet retains a sense of fresh newness about it throughout…. Strong timbral imagination… tour de force of technical display for the ensemble … clos[ing] with a moving and at times tender "Elegy" which conveys an unmistakable American character." - William Nichols, The Clarinet, September 2002 Score excerpts: Movement 1 Movement 2 Release date: August 2001 Jeanne Inc. CD |
Vitality Begun
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"Let it be Forgotten" and "Entreaty" Patricia Stiles, mezzo; Graham Cox, piano
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reSOUNDings -- Orchestral Music by Judith Lang Zaimont
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SYMPHONY No. 1 / ELEGY for Strings / MONARCHS - Movement for Orchestra Czech Radio Symphony Leos Svarovsky and Doris Kosloff, conductors Album Reviews: "Judith Lang Zaimont is, along with Christopher Rouse, Arnold Rosner, and Joseph Schwantner, one of the most interesting compositional voices of her generation. … Most of the works of hers I know reveal a convincing sense of authenticity and expressive purpose." -- Walter Simmons, Fanfare, May/June 2001 Vol. 24 No. 5 (full review here) * Symphony No. 1 cited in Summer2007 American Record Guide as one of the most significant American symphonies" written to date. "Zaimont writes in an au courant but very appealing idiom that blends bright, wide-spaced harmonies (both triadic and iridescent) and sumptuous, imaginative textures with invigorating freshness, energy, and warmth. At her best -- certainly in Symphony No. 1 and the Elegy -- Zaimont shows herself to be an impressive symphonic composer." -- American Record Guide, November/December 2000 (full review here) Audio clips: Monarchs, second theme Monarchs, brass Monarchs, close Symphony No. 1, movement 1 Symphony No. 1, beginning of movement 3 Symphony No. 1, melody of movement 3 Available through ArkivMusic (original release in 2000 on Arabesque CD Z6742) |
RADIANCE -- Choral Music by Judith Lang Zaimont
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MEDITATIONS at the Time of the New Year The Chase Sunny Airs and Sober Excerpts from SACRED SERVICE for Sabbath Evening Choral Society of Southern California -- Nick Strimple, conductor Album Review: Radiant Zaimont in 21st Century Music August 2001 Vol. 8 No. 8 Score excerpts: "Dawn," page 1 "Hope," page 2 Audio clips: "Thou Shalt Love the Lord" Release date: February 2000 4-Tay CD 4015 |
The Vocal-Chamber Art -- Music by Judith Lang Zaimont
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Chansons Nobles et Sentimentales Charles Bressler, tenor; JL Zaimont, piano GREYED SONNETS Elena Tyminski, soprano; JL Zaimont, piano TWO SONGS for Soprano and Harp Berenice Bramson, soprano; Sara Cutler, harp SONGS OF INNOCENCE Elena Tyminski, soprano; Pierce Brown, tenor; Nancy Allen, harp; Barbara Bogatin, cello; Patricia Spencer, flute; Roger Nierenberg, conductor THE MAGIC WORLD: Ritual Music for Three David Arnold, baritone; Jonathan Haas, percussion; Zita Zohar, piano Album Reviews: Music by "a mid-career master" "The pieces on this CD are terrifically good in many ways…. Zaimont clearly possesses a keen sense of characterization, pacing, and drama. Best of all, each cycle inhabits its own distinct emotional world." -- New Music Connoisseur, Summer 2000 Vol. 8 No. 2 (full review here) Interesting and distinctive…. Enjoyable, intelligent music; word-setting which demonstrates a consistent perceptiveness as regards the meaning and shape of the words, without ever forfeiting the proper liberties of the composer. A CD well worth hearing. --Glyn Pursglove in MusicWeb International The Vocal-Chamber Art in Pan Pipes Fall 2000, Volume 93, Number 1
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Fluffy Ruffle Girls: Women in Ragtime
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Two Piano Rags: Reflective Rag and Judy's Rag Virginia Eskin, piano Album reviews: "An anthology that will stick in your memory for its collective impact more than for any single piece -- except, perhaps, for the two contemporary rags by Judith Lang Zaimont, who combines classic style with more contemporary harmonies to extremely good effect." - Leslie Gerber "Elegiac [Zaimont]" - TIME Magazine (originally released on Northeastern Records, March 1993) Release date: May 1999 KOCH: Classical Arts NR 246-CD |
Spring Beauties -- The Ragtime Project
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'Hesitation' Rag Virginia Eskin, piano
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When Angels Speak
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When Angels Speak -- Fantasy for Wind Quartet Manhattan Wind Quartet
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Women's Voices: Five Centuries of Song
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Let it be forgotten from Greyed Sonnets Neva Pilgrim, soprano Release date: November 1997 LEONARDA CD LE 338 |
ZONES -- Chamber Music by Judith Lang Zaimont
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ZONES - Piano Trio #2 Peter Winograd, violin; Peter Wyrick, 'cello; Joanne Polk, piano "Russian Summer" - Piano Trio #1 Peter Winograd, violin; Peter Wyrick, 'cello; Joanne Polk, piano A Calendar Set: 12 Preludes Joanne Polk, piano Album Reviews: "Beautiful music ... enthusiastically recommended" -- Fanfare, May/June 1997 Vol. 20 No. 5 (full review here) Alla Breve in Classical Pulse! August/September 1997 No. 23 Audio clips: Russian Summer Romp February Available through ArkivMusic. (original release in 1997 on Arabesque CD Z6683) |
Neon Rhythm -- Chamber Music of Judith Lang Zaimont
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Hidden Heritage: A Dance Symphony Karen Moratz, flute; David Krakauer, clarinets/tenor sax; Clinton Adams, piano; David Finckel, cello; Barry Dove, percussion; Doris Kosloff, conductor Sky Curtains: Borealis, Australis Kathleen Nester, flute; Daniel Gilbert, clarinet; Robert Wagner, bassoon; Lois Martin, viola; Christopher Finckel, cello; Doris Kosloff, conductor Doubles Lisa Kozenko, oboe; Dana Burnett, piano Dance / Inner Dance Kathleen Nester, flute; Rheta Smith, oboe; Theodore Mook, cello Album Reviews: "Entirely impressive music" -- Classical Compact Disc Guide, Fall 1996 Vol. 9 No. 1 (full review here) Review: Neon Rhythm in Fanfare May/June 1996 Vol. 19 No. 5 Score excerpts: Hidden Heritage, "At Home: 'Jennie' Fantasia," tenor sax theme Hidden Heritage, "At Home: 'Jennie' Fantasia," flute and clarinet Hidden Heritage, "Street Scene -- Black Belt" Sky Curtains - Australis, fugato entrances. Audio clips: Hidden Heritage, movement 1 Hidden Heritage, movement 2 Hidden Heritage, movement 2 (saxophone theme) Hidden Heritage, movement 3 Hidden Heritage, movement 4 Sky Curtains - Australis Available through ArkivMusio (original release date in 1996 Arabesque CD Z6667) |
SUMMER MELODIES -- A Piano Album
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Suite Impressions: Folk Song, Jazz Waltz, In Pop Style "Evening" Excerpts from Calendar Collection: June, July, August, September Two Piano Rags - 'Reflective' Rag, Judy's Rag Nocturne - "La Fin de Siècle" Judith Zaimont, piano SNAZZY SONATA [one piano, four hands] Moderate Two-Step // Lazy Beguine // Be-Bop Scherzo // Grand Valse Brilliante Judith Zaimont and Doris Kosloff, piano Album Reviews: "Zaimont expresses an innate musicality that is made especially appealing by a sincere and joyous spirit. This is refreshingly uncomplicated, easy to enjoy music..." - Fanfare "The piano music of Judith Zaimont is distinctly American and unapologetically nostalgic... the title is warmly apt..." - American Record Guide Score excerpts: Folk Song Nocturne 'Reflective' Rag Audio clips: Snazzy Sonata, movement 3 Suite Impressions (folk song) Suite Impressions (in pop style) Suite Impressions (jazz waltz) Nocturne Release date: October 1996 4-Tay CD 4001 |
Character Sketches: Solo Piano Works by 7 American Women
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Calendar Collection (16:00) Nanette Kaplan Solomon, piano Album review: "Zaimont's suite is replete with dandy tunes, poetically rendered moods, and more than enough sumptuous pianistic color and variety to make them great favorites with performers and audiences alike." - Lehman, American Record Guide Release date: August 1994 Leonarda CD LE 334 |
The American Chamber Ensemble
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From the Great Land (22:00) Album review: "Judith Lang Zaimont's cycle is a touching and sensitive treatment of poems from Frank Buske's Woman's Songs. Mezzo Deirdre Kingsbury gives a dramatic performance, and the instrumental work of Blanche Abram and Naomi Drucker is exemplary." -- Journal of Singing Release date: February 1992 LEONARDA CD LE 329 |
Florilegium Chamber Choir
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Parable: A Tale of Abram and Isaac (16:23) Soli - Cheryl Bensman, soprano; Paul Kelly, tenor; William Sharp, baritone; Walter Hilse, organist; JoAnn Rice, director Serenade: To Music (8:47) JoAnn Rice, director Album reviews: "Zaimont has fashioned a powerfully theatrical work ... Solo voices are combined with the ensemble in varying textures, evoking vivid images which complement the strongly emotional story." - Journal of Singing. "A great work!" - Gregg Smith, conductor. Release date: March 1991 LEONARDA CD: LE 328 |
Link to Early Recordings
Chansons Nobles et Sentimentales
Greyed Sonnets
The Magic World: Ritual Music for Three
Nocturne: La Fin de Siècle
Songs of Innocence
Sunny Aires and Sober
Three Ayres
Release date: before 1990
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