Thomas Stacy, English horn With Kenneth Hamrick, harpsichord 

Thomas Stacy has been hailed as ‘the Heifetz of the English Horn’ by the NY Times. Under the batons of Bernstein, Davis, Masur, and Boulez and as a member of the New York Philharmonic, Thomas Stacy is the most recorded English hornist in the world. On the faculty of both Juilliard and Mannes School of Music, Stacy is a much-sought-after recitalist as well. This incredible performer has also given the World Premieres of more than 25 new works including dedicated compositions by Schuller, Persichetti, Rorem and Skrowaczewski. The recording includes MYERS: Cavatina from the film The Deer Hunter BORODIN: Polovtsian Dances FIOCCO: Arioso BARLOW: The Winter’s Past VILLA-LOBOS: Aria from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 Traditional, arr. David Grossman: Shall We Gather at the River (Commissioned for this recording) RODRIGO: Aranjuez, Mon Amour ~ Adagio theme from Concierto de Aranjuez PASCULLI: Hommage Bellini J. S. BACH: Two Siciliani BOZZA: Lied RAVEL: Piece en Forme de Habanera BARBER: Canzone GRANADOS, arr. Fritz Kreisler: Danse Espagnole MORRICONE: Gabriel’s Oboe from the film The Mission ‘The magically haunting sound of the English Horn can enliven feelings in the listener as perhaps no other instrumental timbre can. I have tried to match the sensual English horn persona with appropriately plaintive melodies. These melodies have a commonality – one of pathos.’ – Thomas Stacy

In tandem with his harpsichord collaborator, Kenneth Hamrick, Stacy’s Delos debut Plaintive Melody traverses the contemporary Cavatina from the Deer Hunter to the melodies of JS Bach with offerings from Rodrigo to Morricone. This ‘Greatest Hits of the English Horn’ recording belongs in every collection, and is a perfect partner for long summer days full of melody and memory. 

MYERS: Cavatina from the film The Deer Hunter BORODIN: Polovtsian Dances FIOCCO: Arioso BARLOW: The Winter’s Past VILLA-LOBOS: Aria from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 Traditional, arr. David Grossman: Shall We Gather at the River (Commissioned for this recording) RODRIGO: Aranjuez, Mon Amour ~ Adagio theme from Concierto de Aranjuez PASCULLI: Hommage Bellini J. S. BACH: Two Siciliani BOZZA: Lied RAVEL: Piece en Forme de Habanera BARBER: Canzone GRANADOS, arr. Fritz Kreisler: Danse Espagnole MORRICONE: Gabriel’s Oboe from the film The Mission