Robert Baker, Molly Orlando, Byrne:Kozar:Duo, counter)induction and Marlanda Dekine
Biography Robert Baker, Molly Orlando, Byrne:Kozar:Duo, counter)induction and Marlanda Dekine
Douglas Boyce
writes chamber music that draws on Renaissance traditions and modernist aesthetics, building rich rhythmic structures that shift between order, fragmentation, elegance, and ferocity. Regarding A Book of Songs (2006, in process), the Washington Post wrote “[they] can only be described as drop-dead beautiful. Easily the most captivating works on the program, these songs of love and death are extraordinarily well written and insightful.” Regarding La Déploration, (2016) Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim wrote that "...the violinist, cellist... and clarinetist... spread out throughout the crypt. Against vaporous harmonics and ghostly fragments of Renaissance music played by the strings, [a] warm, clear clarinet announced itself as very much alive as it sashayed in and out of blues territory and laughed in the face of their mournful keening.”
Robert Baker
has been a pillar of the Washington D.C. classical music scene for over 30 years. He has performed in over 250 productions with the Washington National Opera, including high-profile premieres of works by Phillip Glass and Jake Heggie. Other career highlights include his Metropolitan Opera debut and a Grammy-winning recording with the National Symphony Orchestra. As an esteemed interpreter of Britten, Baker has sung the Serenade across the country. He has collaborated on over 20 premieres of new works and frequently performs contemporary music. Baker has been on the faculty of The George Washington University since 1992. His acclaimed career also includes singing with the US Air Force Singing Sergeants, and major symphonies across the country. After 30+ years on stage, Baker continues to captivate audiences with his versatile artistry.
Molly Orlando
is a versatile soloist, collaborator, teacher, and adjudicator praised for her expressive and edgy performances of both traditional and contemporary repertoire. An advocate of new music, Orlando has premiered numerous works by contemporary composers and frequently collaborates with ensembles like UrbanArias and Third Millennium Ensemble. She often performs with renowned classical saxophonists and has given concerts internationally. Recent highlights include an album of story-inspired works and a performance of Andy Akiho’s music with the US Air Force Band. Based in the Washington D.C. area, Orlando is on faculty at George Washington University and co-owns a music studio. Her artistry and advocacy have made her a sought-after soloist and collaborator on the contemporary classical music scene.
Byrne:Kozar:Duo
Created by New York City and Boston based soprano Corrine Byrne and trumpeter Andy Kozar, the Byrne:Kozar:Duo presents historically informed performances of Baroque music for natural trumpet and soprano in addition to commissioning new works for modern trumpet and soprano. They have been said to create 'an arresting symbiosis in their melding of voice and trumpet timbres' (Textura) and that the 'trumpet and voice seem to take on one another's qualities' (Bandcamp Daily). As individuals, Corrine has been called a ‘celebrated singer’ (Broadway World) and 'a rising star' (Arts Westchester) while Andy has been called a 'star soloist' (TimeOutNY) and ‘polished and dynamic, with very impressive playing’ (Baltimore Sun). Combining their strengths as performers and interpreters of both early and modern music, the Byrne:Kozar:Duo has commissioned new works by composers including Reiko Futing, Paula Matthusen, David Smooke, Scott Worthington and Scott Wollschleger. As recording artists, they can be heard on a recent release of the music of Scott Wollshleger on New Focus Recordings which was named a Notable Recording of 2017 in The New Yorker. Recent appearances include performances at the Boston Early Music Festival, Lake George Music Festival, Divergent Studio at the Longy School of Music, NienteForte in New Orleans, and New Music Miami. They have also been heard on American Public Media's Performance Today as well as on National Public Radio.
