Steven Smith – Richmond Symphony: Children of Adam – Dona Nobis (HDCD, Reference Recordings)

Mason Bates’ composition Children of Adam is a celebration of creation based on poetry from American poets to sacred texts. The title comes from a poem by Walt Whitman, which appears repeatedly throughout the work in the form of short “Fanfare Intermezzi”. Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Dona nobis pacem is also inspired by Walt Whitman. This first recording of the commissioned Children of Adam was made with the Richmond Symphony and the Richmond Symphony Chorus under the direction of Steven Smith. It was recorded live at the Carpenter Theater, Dominion Energy Center, Richmond by the Soundmirror team. Mason Bates is resident composer at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and was named Composer of the Year by Musical America in 2018. His opera The (R) evolution of Steve Jobs received a GRAMMY® for “Best Opera Recording”. Bates also appears as a DJ, drives his classic / club project Mercury Soul and composes film scores, including for Gus Van Sant’s The Sea of Trees with Matthew McConaughey and Naomi Watts. We recommend the use of “L’Art du Son” CD / DVD conditioner to improve the sound even more.