Duo Scorpio – Two Bridges
Duo Scorpio: Kathryn Andrews | Kristi Shade
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About The Album
Duo Scorpio, the world's finest harp duo, continues their ongoing mission to revolutionize the harp duo repertoire with Two Bridges, their ground breaking second release on the American Modern Recordings (AMR) label. This album follows their highly successful first album, Scorpion Tales, hailed as an album " likely to leave music makers and fans inspired to seek out more" (NewMusicBox), and described as a "diverse mix of new and recent compositions that push the limits of what can be done with the instrument" (Lucid Culture).
Two Bridges includes a diverse collection of brand new works for two harps by an exciting and diverse group of composers, including Andy Akiho, Ferdinando DeSena, Christopher Dietz, Nico Muhly, Paul Patterson and Giovanni Piacentini. The entire album was produced from start to finish by Grammy winning producer and recording engineer, Adam Abeshouse.
The formation of Duo Scorpio is as fascinating as the album: harpists Kathryn Andrews and Kristi Shade were born on exactly the same day, November 5, 1982, making them both Scorpios; they both moved to New York City after undergraduate school, completed their Master's Degrees at The Manhattan School of Music and studied with harp legend Susan Jolles. Scorpios are known for their determination, hard work and love of a challenge, which is definitely exemplified in this exciting second release. Further information: duoscorpio.com.
About Duo Scorpio
Kathryn Andrews. Credit: Frances Melhop.
In 2010, harpists Kathryn Andrews and Kristi Shade began searching for music for their newly formed ensemble and found this area of harp repertoire yet to be fully explored in a contemporary setting. They hope to help create a new body of work composed for the modern harp that highlights the versatility and uniqueness of the instrument.
Duo Scorpio was awarded the American Harp Society Grant in 2011, which they used for their first commission from composer Robert Paterson. His work, Scorpion Tales, was premiered by Duo Scorpio at the American Harp Society National Conference in New York City on July 2, 2012.
The duo was awarded a Classical Commissioning Grant in 2013 from Chamber Music America, which they used for their commission from composer Nico Muhly. Duo Scorpio was again awarded the American Harp Society Grant in 2013, which they used to commission composer Andy Akiho. The resulting works, Fast Dances (Muhly) and Two Bridges (Akiho), were premiered by Duo Scorpio at the World Harp Congress in Sydney, Australia on July 24, 2014.
Duo Scorpio recorded their first album, Scorpion Tales, in the spring of 2012. It was released on the American Modern Recordings Label on September 4, 2012 and was on the ballot nomination for the 2013 Grammy® awards.
Kristi Shades. Credit: Frances Melhop.
In 2015, Duo Scorpio received another grant from the American Harp Society, which they used to commission composer Paul Patterson. His piece, Scorpions, was premiered at the World Harp Congress in Hong Kong in 2017.
In 2017, the duo received an award from the Classical Recording Foundation. This award included a grant for a future recording, which they used to partially fund their newest album, Two Bridges, released in 2017 on the American Modern Recordings Label, distributed by Naxos.
The duo has performed with Florence + the Machine at the Met Gala, for the New York City Chapter of the American Harp Society, at the American Harp Society National Conference in Atlanta in 2016, for the Mile High Chapter of the American Harp Society in Denver, Colorado, for the San Diego Chapter of the American Harp Society, as part of the chamber music series for the Miami Symphony in Miami, Florida, and has been presented by the Virginia Harp Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They maintain a busy performing schedule in New York City and around the world.
Coincidentally, Katie and Kristi were both born on November 5, 1982, making them both Scorpios. They met in New York City where they received their Master’s degrees studying with Susan Jolles at the Manhattan School of Music. They have embraced their Zodiac alignment by using their talent and passion to team up and form this unique duo.
For more information, visit duoscorpio.com.
Tracks
Fast Dances*** (2014) 13’57” – Nico Muhly
1. No. 1
2. No. 2
3. No. 3
4. No. 4
5. No. 5
6. Rival of Mars* (2015) 08’02” – Christopher Dietz
7. Scorpions* *** (2016) 06’30” – Paul Patterson
8. Harp Dance* (2013) 06’53” – Ferdinando DeSena
9. Magnetic* (2014) 12’18” – Giovanni Piacentini
Two Bridges* *** (2014) 14’26” – Andy Akiho
10. 1883
11. Audio Sun
12. 1909
Total Time: 62:06
*World Premiere Recordings, Commissioned by Duo Scorpio
**Commissioned through a Grant from Chamber Music America
***Commissioned through a Grant from The American Harp Society
***Commissioned through a Grant from The American Harp Society
-
Release date: April 7, 2017
Catalog number: AMR1047
UPC: 616895085321Producer and Recording Engineer: Adam Abeshouse
Executive Producer: Robert Paterson
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Westchester Studios, February 2016
Art Direction and Photography: Frances J. Melhop
Liner Design: Pat Burke
Stylist: Vicky Sherwood
Hair Artist: Erika Pereira Lima
Make-up Artist: Clelia Bergonzoli
We would like to thank the incredible composers who have made this album possible. It has been an absolute dream to work so closely with all of you. We are forever grateful for the support of The American Harp Society, Chamber Music America and all of the donors, colleagues, friends, and family who have helped with the funding of this album. Frances, thank you for your willingness to bring together ‘Trio Scorpio’ once again. We consider you not only a colleague, but also a good friend and are honored to get to be a part of your incredible work. Rob, thank you for your guidance throughout the years. Duo Scorpio is proud to be on the AMR label. Adam, it is always such a privilege and honor to work with you. Thank you for taking us under your wing and making our harps sound incredible once again. You are the best. And finally, to our little pineapple, Jack, thanks for being Duo Scorpio’s youngest and biggest fan. - Katie and Kristi
Press Quotes
“Katie Andrews and Kristi Shade (of Duo Scorpio) take the harp duo to the next level.”
“The Duo plays with acute sensitivity and what seems to be telepathic communication.”
“Two harps and four hands filling the sonic image from top to bottom to deliver a neatly locking quartet-worth of sonic information.”
“Scorpion Tales has me thinking a lot more about this ensemble and this particular duo. Kathryn Andrews and Kristi Shade deliver stellar performances… Duo Scorpio makes it all seem completely natural and idiomatic.”