Rhythm, resistance, transformation: New music by David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer

There are musical projects that are immediately fascinating because they are more than just a sonic experience: They tell stories, honor personalities, and connect art and culture into a greater whole. The Eugene Symphony, under its spirited chief conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong, now presents such a recording, released on Delos. The focus is on two contemporary American compositions—David Schiff's "Prefontaine" and Andrea Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire"—which, in their complexity and emotional intensity, paint a vivid picture of inspiration, fighting spirit, and transformation.

David Schiff, born in New York in 1945, is a composer who always sees his work as a bridge between classical traditions and everyday American culture. His works are characterized by a free use of styles, rhythms, and harmonies, often interspersed with influences from jazz, klezmer, and Broadway. With the "Prefontaine" symphony, he dedicates himself to a local legend: the runner Steve Prefontaine, who was remembered not only for his athletic triumphs but also for his commitment to athletes' rights. Schiff's music follows Prefontaine's life with episodic ease: from his youthful awakening in Coos Bay to the electrifying energy of his college years and his mythically elevated races on the national stage. Schiff succeeds in developing a rhythmically sharply contoured, highly vital sound language that subtly traces the unbroken striving and resilience of this exceptional athlete.

Andrea Reinkemeyer, born in Oregon in 1976, belongs to a younger generation of American composers whose works combine social themes with symphonic power. Her music displays evocative imagery and a delight in luminous orchestral colors. "Water Sings Fire," based on a myth from Leigh Bardugo's literary universe, addresses betrayal, power, and the voices of the marginalized. Reinkemeyer's score interweaves dramatic clusters of sound with lyrical moments, playing with structures of rebellion and disruption. In doing so, she finds a striking musical language for processes of transformation and self-empowerment.

The Eugene Symphony under Francesco Lecce-Chong performs both works with remarkable rhythmic precision and inner clarity. Lecce-Chong, a conductor with a palpable sense for narrative tension, shapes the energy of the music with sovereign control: at times he drives the orchestra to powerful outbursts, at others he allows it to breathe and pause to savor emotional contrasts. This is particularly impressive in Schiff's "Prefontaine," whose pulsating basic rhythm remains constantly in motion without ever seeming hectic. The Eugene Symphony reveals itself as a homogenous body of sound, mastering dynamic power as well as subtle nuances of color.

The sonic realization of this recording is equally successful: the sound is dynamically balanced, rich in detail, and full of body. The microphone placement captures both the explosive moments and the finer textures of the scores without losing the orchestra's transparency. Especially in Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire," the shimmering orchestral layers unfold with impressive plasticity.

Overall, this recording succeeds in bringing to life the close intertwining of regional identity, individual narrative, and universal emotion. The works of David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer speak in different ways to the power of the individual, to awakening and change—themes that are brought to particularly vivid attention by the Eugene Symphony's captivating performance and Francesco Lecce-Chong's thoughtful conducting.

Dirk Schauß, May 2025
David Schiff: Prefontaine “A Symphony Tribute”
Andrea Reinkemeyer "Water Sings Fire"
Eugene Symphony
Francesco Lecce-Chong, musical director
Delos, DE3609

‍

Rhythm, resistance, transformation: New music by David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer

There are musical projects that are immediately fascinating because they are more than just a sonic experience: They tell stories, honor personalities, and connect art and culture into a greater whole. The Eugene Symphony, under its spirited chief conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong, now presents such a recording, released on Delos. The focus is on two contemporary American compositions—David Schiff's "Prefontaine" and Andrea Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire"—which, in their complexity and emotional intensity, paint a vivid picture of inspiration, fighting spirit, and transformation.

David Schiff, born in New York in 1945, is a composer who always sees his work as a bridge between classical traditions and everyday American culture. His works are characterized by a free use of styles, rhythms, and harmonies, often interspersed with influences from jazz, klezmer, and Broadway. With the "Prefontaine" symphony, he dedicates himself to a local legend: the runner Steve Prefontaine, who was remembered not only for his athletic triumphs but also for his commitment to athletes' rights. Schiff's music follows Prefontaine's life with episodic ease: from his youthful awakening in Coos Bay to the electrifying energy of his college years and his mythically elevated races on the national stage. Schiff succeeds in developing a rhythmically sharply contoured, highly vital sound language that subtly traces the unbroken striving and resilience of this exceptional athlete.

Andrea Reinkemeyer, born in Oregon in 1976, belongs to a younger generation of American composers whose works combine social themes with symphonic power. Her music displays evocative imagery and a delight in luminous orchestral colors. "Water Sings Fire," based on a myth from Leigh Bardugo's literary universe, addresses betrayal, power, and the voices of the marginalized. Reinkemeyer's score interweaves dramatic clusters of sound with lyrical moments, playing with structures of rebellion and disruption. In doing so, she finds a striking musical language for processes of transformation and self-empowerment.

The Eugene Symphony under Francesco Lecce-Chong performs both works with remarkable rhythmic precision and inner clarity. Lecce-Chong, a conductor with a palpable sense for narrative tension, shapes the energy of the music with sovereign control: at times he drives the orchestra to powerful outbursts, at others he allows it to breathe and pause to savor emotional contrasts. This is particularly impressive in Schiff's "Prefontaine," whose pulsating basic rhythm remains constantly in motion without ever seeming hectic. The Eugene Symphony reveals itself as a homogenous body of sound, mastering dynamic power as well as subtle nuances of color.

The sonic realization of this recording is equally successful: the sound is dynamically balanced, rich in detail, and full of body. The microphone placement captures both the explosive moments and the finer textures of the scores without losing the orchestra's transparency. Especially in Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire," the shimmering orchestral layers unfold with impressive plasticity.

Overall, this recording succeeds in bringing to life the close intertwining of regional identity, individual narrative, and universal emotion. The works of David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer speak in different ways to the power of the individual, to awakening and change—themes that are brought to particularly vivid attention by the Eugene Symphony's captivating performance and Francesco Lecce-Chong's thoughtful conducting.

Dirk Schauß, May 2025
David Schiff: Prefontaine “A Symphony Tribute”
Andrea Reinkemeyer "Water Sings Fire"
Eugene Symphony
Francesco Lecce-Chong, musical director
Delos, DE3609

‍

Rhythm, resistance, transformation: New music by David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer

There are musical projects that are immediately fascinating because they are more than just a sonic experience: They tell stories, honor personalities, and connect art and culture into a greater whole. The Eugene Symphony, under its spirited chief conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong, now presents such a recording, released on Delos. The focus is on two contemporary American compositions—David Schiff's "Prefontaine" and Andrea Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire"—which, in their complexity and emotional intensity, paint a vivid picture of inspiration, fighting spirit, and transformation.

David Schiff, born in New York in 1945, is a composer who always sees his work as a bridge between classical traditions and everyday American culture. His works are characterized by a free use of styles, rhythms, and harmonies, often interspersed with influences from jazz, klezmer, and Broadway. With the "Prefontaine" symphony, he dedicates himself to a local legend: the runner Steve Prefontaine, who was remembered not only for his athletic triumphs but also for his commitment to athletes' rights. Schiff's music follows Prefontaine's life with episodic ease: from his youthful awakening in Coos Bay to the electrifying energy of his college years and his mythically elevated races on the national stage. Schiff succeeds in developing a rhythmically sharply contoured, highly vital sound language that subtly traces the unbroken striving and resilience of this exceptional athlete.

Andrea Reinkemeyer, born in Oregon in 1976, belongs to a younger generation of American composers whose works combine social themes with symphonic power. Her music displays evocative imagery and a delight in luminous orchestral colors. "Water Sings Fire," based on a myth from Leigh Bardugo's literary universe, addresses betrayal, power, and the voices of the marginalized. Reinkemeyer's score interweaves dramatic clusters of sound with lyrical moments, playing with structures of rebellion and disruption. In doing so, she finds a striking musical language for processes of transformation and self-empowerment.

The Eugene Symphony under Francesco Lecce-Chong performs both works with remarkable rhythmic precision and inner clarity. Lecce-Chong, a conductor with a palpable sense for narrative tension, shapes the energy of the music with sovereign control: at times he drives the orchestra to powerful outbursts, at others he allows it to breathe and pause to savor emotional contrasts. This is particularly impressive in Schiff's "Prefontaine," whose pulsating basic rhythm remains constantly in motion without ever seeming hectic. The Eugene Symphony reveals itself as a homogenous body of sound, mastering dynamic power as well as subtle nuances of color.

The sonic realization of this recording is equally successful: the sound is dynamically balanced, rich in detail, and full of body. The microphone placement captures both the explosive moments and the finer textures of the scores without losing the orchestra's transparency. Especially in Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire," the shimmering orchestral layers unfold with impressive plasticity.

Overall, this recording succeeds in bringing to life the close intertwining of regional identity, individual narrative, and universal emotion. The works of David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer speak in different ways to the power of the individual, to awakening and change—themes that are brought to particularly vivid attention by the Eugene Symphony's captivating performance and Francesco Lecce-Chong's thoughtful conducting.

Dirk Schauß, May 2025
David Schiff: Prefontaine “A Symphony Tribute”
Andrea Reinkemeyer "Water Sings Fire"
Eugene Symphony
Francesco Lecce-Chong, musical director
Delos, DE3609

‍

Rhythm, resistance, transformation: New music by David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer

There are musical projects that are immediately fascinating because they are more than just a sonic experience: They tell stories, honor personalities, and connect art and culture into a greater whole. The Eugene Symphony, under its spirited chief conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong, now presents such a recording, released on Delos. The focus is on two contemporary American compositions—David Schiff's "Prefontaine" and Andrea Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire"—which, in their complexity and emotional intensity, paint a vivid picture of inspiration, fighting spirit, and transformation.

David Schiff, born in New York in 1945, is a composer who always sees his work as a bridge between classical traditions and everyday American culture. His works are characterized by a free use of styles, rhythms, and harmonies, often interspersed with influences from jazz, klezmer, and Broadway. With the "Prefontaine" symphony, he dedicates himself to a local legend: the runner Steve Prefontaine, who was remembered not only for his athletic triumphs but also for his commitment to athletes' rights. Schiff's music follows Prefontaine's life with episodic ease: from his youthful awakening in Coos Bay to the electrifying energy of his college years and his mythically elevated races on the national stage. Schiff succeeds in developing a rhythmically sharply contoured, highly vital sound language that subtly traces the unbroken striving and resilience of this exceptional athlete.

Andrea Reinkemeyer, born in Oregon in 1976, belongs to a younger generation of American composers whose works combine social themes with symphonic power. Her music displays evocative imagery and a delight in luminous orchestral colors. "Water Sings Fire," based on a myth from Leigh Bardugo's literary universe, addresses betrayal, power, and the voices of the marginalized. Reinkemeyer's score interweaves dramatic clusters of sound with lyrical moments, playing with structures of rebellion and disruption. In doing so, she finds a striking musical language for processes of transformation and self-empowerment.

The Eugene Symphony under Francesco Lecce-Chong performs both works with remarkable rhythmic precision and inner clarity. Lecce-Chong, a conductor with a palpable sense for narrative tension, shapes the energy of the music with sovereign control: at times he drives the orchestra to powerful outbursts, at others he allows it to breathe and pause to savor emotional contrasts. This is particularly impressive in Schiff's "Prefontaine," whose pulsating basic rhythm remains constantly in motion without ever seeming hectic. The Eugene Symphony reveals itself as a homogenous body of sound, mastering dynamic power as well as subtle nuances of color.

The sonic realization of this recording is equally successful: the sound is dynamically balanced, rich in detail, and full of body. The microphone placement captures both the explosive moments and the finer textures of the scores without losing the orchestra's transparency. Especially in Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire," the shimmering orchestral layers unfold with impressive plasticity.

Overall, this recording succeeds in bringing to life the close intertwining of regional identity, individual narrative, and universal emotion. The works of David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer speak in different ways to the power of the individual, to awakening and change—themes that are brought to particularly vivid attention by the Eugene Symphony's captivating performance and Francesco Lecce-Chong's thoughtful conducting.

Dirk Schauß, May 2025
David Schiff: Prefontaine “A Symphony Tribute”
Andrea Reinkemeyer "Water Sings Fire"
Eugene Symphony
Francesco Lecce-Chong, musical director
Delos, DE3609

‍

Rhythm, resistance, transformation: New music by David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer

There are musical projects that are immediately fascinating because they are more than just a sonic experience: They tell stories, honor personalities, and connect art and culture into a greater whole. The Eugene Symphony, under its spirited chief conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong, now presents such a recording, released on Delos. The focus is on two contemporary American compositions—David Schiff's "Prefontaine" and Andrea Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire"—which, in their complexity and emotional intensity, paint a vivid picture of inspiration, fighting spirit, and transformation.

David Schiff, born in New York in 1945, is a composer who always sees his work as a bridge between classical traditions and everyday American culture. His works are characterized by a free use of styles, rhythms, and harmonies, often interspersed with influences from jazz, klezmer, and Broadway. With the "Prefontaine" symphony, he dedicates himself to a local legend: the runner Steve Prefontaine, who was remembered not only for his athletic triumphs but also for his commitment to athletes' rights. Schiff's music follows Prefontaine's life with episodic ease: from his youthful awakening in Coos Bay to the electrifying energy of his college years and his mythically elevated races on the national stage. Schiff succeeds in developing a rhythmically sharply contoured, highly vital sound language that subtly traces the unbroken striving and resilience of this exceptional athlete.

Andrea Reinkemeyer, born in Oregon in 1976, belongs to a younger generation of American composers whose works combine social themes with symphonic power. Her music displays evocative imagery and a delight in luminous orchestral colors. "Water Sings Fire," based on a myth from Leigh Bardugo's literary universe, addresses betrayal, power, and the voices of the marginalized. Reinkemeyer's score interweaves dramatic clusters of sound with lyrical moments, playing with structures of rebellion and disruption. In doing so, she finds a striking musical language for processes of transformation and self-empowerment.

The Eugene Symphony under Francesco Lecce-Chong performs both works with remarkable rhythmic precision and inner clarity. Lecce-Chong, a conductor with a palpable sense for narrative tension, shapes the energy of the music with sovereign control: at times he drives the orchestra to powerful outbursts, at others he allows it to breathe and pause to savor emotional contrasts. This is particularly impressive in Schiff's "Prefontaine," whose pulsating basic rhythm remains constantly in motion without ever seeming hectic. The Eugene Symphony reveals itself as a homogenous body of sound, mastering dynamic power as well as subtle nuances of color.

The sonic realization of this recording is equally successful: the sound is dynamically balanced, rich in detail, and full of body. The microphone placement captures both the explosive moments and the finer textures of the scores without losing the orchestra's transparency. Especially in Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire," the shimmering orchestral layers unfold with impressive plasticity.

Overall, this recording succeeds in bringing to life the close intertwining of regional identity, individual narrative, and universal emotion. The works of David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer speak in different ways to the power of the individual, to awakening and change—themes that are brought to particularly vivid attention by the Eugene Symphony's captivating performance and Francesco Lecce-Chong's thoughtful conducting.

Dirk Schauß, May 2025
David Schiff: Prefontaine “A Symphony Tribute”
Andrea Reinkemeyer "Water Sings Fire"
Eugene Symphony
Francesco Lecce-Chong, musical director
Delos, DE3609

‍

Rhythm, resistance, transformation: New music by David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer

There are musical projects that are immediately fascinating because they are more than just a sonic experience: They tell stories, honor personalities, and connect art and culture into a greater whole. The Eugene Symphony, under its spirited chief conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong, now presents such a recording, released on Delos. The focus is on two contemporary American compositions—David Schiff's "Prefontaine" and Andrea Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire"—which, in their complexity and emotional intensity, paint a vivid picture of inspiration, fighting spirit, and transformation.

David Schiff, born in New York in 1945, is a composer who always sees his work as a bridge between classical traditions and everyday American culture. His works are characterized by a free use of styles, rhythms, and harmonies, often interspersed with influences from jazz, klezmer, and Broadway. With the "Prefontaine" symphony, he dedicates himself to a local legend: the runner Steve Prefontaine, who was remembered not only for his athletic triumphs but also for his commitment to athletes' rights. Schiff's music follows Prefontaine's life with episodic ease: from his youthful awakening in Coos Bay to the electrifying energy of his college years and his mythically elevated races on the national stage. Schiff succeeds in developing a rhythmically sharply contoured, highly vital sound language that subtly traces the unbroken striving and resilience of this exceptional athlete.

Andrea Reinkemeyer, born in Oregon in 1976, belongs to a younger generation of American composers whose works combine social themes with symphonic power. Her music displays evocative imagery and a delight in luminous orchestral colors. "Water Sings Fire," based on a myth from Leigh Bardugo's literary universe, addresses betrayal, power, and the voices of the marginalized. Reinkemeyer's score interweaves dramatic clusters of sound with lyrical moments, playing with structures of rebellion and disruption. In doing so, she finds a striking musical language for processes of transformation and self-empowerment.

The Eugene Symphony under Francesco Lecce-Chong performs both works with remarkable rhythmic precision and inner clarity. Lecce-Chong, a conductor with a palpable sense for narrative tension, shapes the energy of the music with sovereign control: at times he drives the orchestra to powerful outbursts, at others he allows it to breathe and pause to savor emotional contrasts. This is particularly impressive in Schiff's "Prefontaine," whose pulsating basic rhythm remains constantly in motion without ever seeming hectic. The Eugene Symphony reveals itself as a homogenous body of sound, mastering dynamic power as well as subtle nuances of color.

The sonic realization of this recording is equally successful: the sound is dynamically balanced, rich in detail, and full of body. The microphone placement captures both the explosive moments and the finer textures of the scores without losing the orchestra's transparency. Especially in Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire," the shimmering orchestral layers unfold with impressive plasticity.

Overall, this recording succeeds in bringing to life the close intertwining of regional identity, individual narrative, and universal emotion. The works of David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer speak in different ways to the power of the individual, to awakening and change—themes that are brought to particularly vivid attention by the Eugene Symphony's captivating performance and Francesco Lecce-Chong's thoughtful conducting.

Dirk Schauß, May 2025
David Schiff: Prefontaine “A Symphony Tribute”
Andrea Reinkemeyer "Water Sings Fire"
Eugene Symphony
Francesco Lecce-Chong, musical director
Delos, DE3609

‍

Rhythm, resistance, transformation: New music by David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer

There are musical projects that are immediately fascinating because they are more than just a sonic experience: They tell stories, honor personalities, and connect art and culture into a greater whole. The Eugene Symphony, under its spirited chief conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong, now presents such a recording, released on Delos. The focus is on two contemporary American compositions—David Schiff's "Prefontaine" and Andrea Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire"—which, in their complexity and emotional intensity, paint a vivid picture of inspiration, fighting spirit, and transformation.

David Schiff, born in New York in 1945, is a composer who always sees his work as a bridge between classical traditions and everyday American culture. His works are characterized by a free use of styles, rhythms, and harmonies, often interspersed with influences from jazz, klezmer, and Broadway. With the "Prefontaine" symphony, he dedicates himself to a local legend: the runner Steve Prefontaine, who was remembered not only for his athletic triumphs but also for his commitment to athletes' rights. Schiff's music follows Prefontaine's life with episodic ease: from his youthful awakening in Coos Bay to the electrifying energy of his college years and his mythically elevated races on the national stage. Schiff succeeds in developing a rhythmically sharply contoured, highly vital sound language that subtly traces the unbroken striving and resilience of this exceptional athlete.

Andrea Reinkemeyer, born in Oregon in 1976, belongs to a younger generation of American composers whose works combine social themes with symphonic power. Her music displays evocative imagery and a delight in luminous orchestral colors. "Water Sings Fire," based on a myth from Leigh Bardugo's literary universe, addresses betrayal, power, and the voices of the marginalized. Reinkemeyer's score interweaves dramatic clusters of sound with lyrical moments, playing with structures of rebellion and disruption. In doing so, she finds a striking musical language for processes of transformation and self-empowerment.

The Eugene Symphony under Francesco Lecce-Chong performs both works with remarkable rhythmic precision and inner clarity. Lecce-Chong, a conductor with a palpable sense for narrative tension, shapes the energy of the music with sovereign control: at times he drives the orchestra to powerful outbursts, at others he allows it to breathe and pause to savor emotional contrasts. This is particularly impressive in Schiff's "Prefontaine," whose pulsating basic rhythm remains constantly in motion without ever seeming hectic. The Eugene Symphony reveals itself as a homogenous body of sound, mastering dynamic power as well as subtle nuances of color.

The sonic realization of this recording is equally successful: the sound is dynamically balanced, rich in detail, and full of body. The microphone placement captures both the explosive moments and the finer textures of the scores without losing the orchestra's transparency. Especially in Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire," the shimmering orchestral layers unfold with impressive plasticity.

Overall, this recording succeeds in bringing to life the close intertwining of regional identity, individual narrative, and universal emotion. The works of David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer speak in different ways to the power of the individual, to awakening and change—themes that are brought to particularly vivid attention by the Eugene Symphony's captivating performance and Francesco Lecce-Chong's thoughtful conducting.

Dirk Schauß, May 2025
David Schiff: Prefontaine “A Symphony Tribute”
Andrea Reinkemeyer "Water Sings Fire"
Eugene Symphony
Francesco Lecce-Chong, musical director
Delos, DE3609

‍

Rhythm, resistance, transformation: New music by David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer

There are musical projects that are immediately fascinating because they are more than just a sonic experience: They tell stories, honor personalities, and connect art and culture into a greater whole. The Eugene Symphony, under its spirited chief conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong, now presents such a recording, released on Delos. The focus is on two contemporary American compositions—David Schiff's "Prefontaine" and Andrea Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire"—which, in their complexity and emotional intensity, paint a vivid picture of inspiration, fighting spirit, and transformation.

David Schiff, born in New York in 1945, is a composer who always sees his work as a bridge between classical traditions and everyday American culture. His works are characterized by a free use of styles, rhythms, and harmonies, often interspersed with influences from jazz, klezmer, and Broadway. With the "Prefontaine" symphony, he dedicates himself to a local legend: the runner Steve Prefontaine, who was remembered not only for his athletic triumphs but also for his commitment to athletes' rights. Schiff's music follows Prefontaine's life with episodic ease: from his youthful awakening in Coos Bay to the electrifying energy of his college years and his mythically elevated races on the national stage. Schiff succeeds in developing a rhythmically sharply contoured, highly vital sound language that subtly traces the unbroken striving and resilience of this exceptional athlete.

Andrea Reinkemeyer, born in Oregon in 1976, belongs to a younger generation of American composers whose works combine social themes with symphonic power. Her music displays evocative imagery and a delight in luminous orchestral colors. "Water Sings Fire," based on a myth from Leigh Bardugo's literary universe, addresses betrayal, power, and the voices of the marginalized. Reinkemeyer's score interweaves dramatic clusters of sound with lyrical moments, playing with structures of rebellion and disruption. In doing so, she finds a striking musical language for processes of transformation and self-empowerment.

The Eugene Symphony under Francesco Lecce-Chong performs both works with remarkable rhythmic precision and inner clarity. Lecce-Chong, a conductor with a palpable sense for narrative tension, shapes the energy of the music with sovereign control: at times he drives the orchestra to powerful outbursts, at others he allows it to breathe and pause to savor emotional contrasts. This is particularly impressive in Schiff's "Prefontaine," whose pulsating basic rhythm remains constantly in motion without ever seeming hectic. The Eugene Symphony reveals itself as a homogenous body of sound, mastering dynamic power as well as subtle nuances of color.

The sonic realization of this recording is equally successful: the sound is dynamically balanced, rich in detail, and full of body. The microphone placement captures both the explosive moments and the finer textures of the scores without losing the orchestra's transparency. Especially in Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire," the shimmering orchestral layers unfold with impressive plasticity.

Overall, this recording succeeds in bringing to life the close intertwining of regional identity, individual narrative, and universal emotion. The works of David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer speak in different ways to the power of the individual, to awakening and change—themes that are brought to particularly vivid attention by the Eugene Symphony's captivating performance and Francesco Lecce-Chong's thoughtful conducting.

Dirk Schauß, May 2025
David Schiff: Prefontaine “A Symphony Tribute”
Andrea Reinkemeyer "Water Sings Fire"
Eugene Symphony
Francesco Lecce-Chong, musical director
Delos, DE3609

‍

Rhythm, resistance, transformation: New music by David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer

There are musical projects that are immediately fascinating because they are more than just a sonic experience: They tell stories, honor personalities, and connect art and culture into a greater whole. The Eugene Symphony, under its spirited chief conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong, now presents such a recording, released on Delos. The focus is on two contemporary American compositions—David Schiff's "Prefontaine" and Andrea Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire"—which, in their complexity and emotional intensity, paint a vivid picture of inspiration, fighting spirit, and transformation.

David Schiff, born in New York in 1945, is a composer who always sees his work as a bridge between classical traditions and everyday American culture. His works are characterized by a free use of styles, rhythms, and harmonies, often interspersed with influences from jazz, klezmer, and Broadway. With the "Prefontaine" symphony, he dedicates himself to a local legend: the runner Steve Prefontaine, who was remembered not only for his athletic triumphs but also for his commitment to athletes' rights. Schiff's music follows Prefontaine's life with episodic ease: from his youthful awakening in Coos Bay to the electrifying energy of his college years and his mythically elevated races on the national stage. Schiff succeeds in developing a rhythmically sharply contoured, highly vital sound language that subtly traces the unbroken striving and resilience of this exceptional athlete.

Andrea Reinkemeyer, born in Oregon in 1976, belongs to a younger generation of American composers whose works combine social themes with symphonic power. Her music displays evocative imagery and a delight in luminous orchestral colors. "Water Sings Fire," based on a myth from Leigh Bardugo's literary universe, addresses betrayal, power, and the voices of the marginalized. Reinkemeyer's score interweaves dramatic clusters of sound with lyrical moments, playing with structures of rebellion and disruption. In doing so, she finds a striking musical language for processes of transformation and self-empowerment.

The Eugene Symphony under Francesco Lecce-Chong performs both works with remarkable rhythmic precision and inner clarity. Lecce-Chong, a conductor with a palpable sense for narrative tension, shapes the energy of the music with sovereign control: at times he drives the orchestra to powerful outbursts, at others he allows it to breathe and pause to savor emotional contrasts. This is particularly impressive in Schiff's "Prefontaine," whose pulsating basic rhythm remains constantly in motion without ever seeming hectic. The Eugene Symphony reveals itself as a homogenous body of sound, mastering dynamic power as well as subtle nuances of color.

The sonic realization of this recording is equally successful: the sound is dynamically balanced, rich in detail, and full of body. The microphone placement captures both the explosive moments and the finer textures of the scores without losing the orchestra's transparency. Especially in Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire," the shimmering orchestral layers unfold with impressive plasticity.

Overall, this recording succeeds in bringing to life the close intertwining of regional identity, individual narrative, and universal emotion. The works of David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer speak in different ways to the power of the individual, to awakening and change—themes that are brought to particularly vivid attention by the Eugene Symphony's captivating performance and Francesco Lecce-Chong's thoughtful conducting.

Dirk Schauß, May 2025
David Schiff: Prefontaine “A Symphony Tribute”
Andrea Reinkemeyer "Water Sings Fire"
Eugene Symphony
Francesco Lecce-Chong, musical director
Delos, DE3609

‍

Rhythm, resistance, transformation: New music by David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer

There are musical projects that are immediately fascinating because they are more than just a sonic experience: They tell stories, honor personalities, and connect art and culture into a greater whole. The Eugene Symphony, under its spirited chief conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong, now presents such a recording, released on Delos. The focus is on two contemporary American compositions—David Schiff's "Prefontaine" and Andrea Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire"—which, in their complexity and emotional intensity, paint a vivid picture of inspiration, fighting spirit, and transformation.

David Schiff, born in New York in 1945, is a composer who always sees his work as a bridge between classical traditions and everyday American culture. His works are characterized by a free use of styles, rhythms, and harmonies, often interspersed with influences from jazz, klezmer, and Broadway. With the "Prefontaine" symphony, he dedicates himself to a local legend: the runner Steve Prefontaine, who was remembered not only for his athletic triumphs but also for his commitment to athletes' rights. Schiff's music follows Prefontaine's life with episodic ease: from his youthful awakening in Coos Bay to the electrifying energy of his college years and his mythically elevated races on the national stage. Schiff succeeds in developing a rhythmically sharply contoured, highly vital sound language that subtly traces the unbroken striving and resilience of this exceptional athlete.

Andrea Reinkemeyer, born in Oregon in 1976, belongs to a younger generation of American composers whose works combine social themes with symphonic power. Her music displays evocative imagery and a delight in luminous orchestral colors. "Water Sings Fire," based on a myth from Leigh Bardugo's literary universe, addresses betrayal, power, and the voices of the marginalized. Reinkemeyer's score interweaves dramatic clusters of sound with lyrical moments, playing with structures of rebellion and disruption. In doing so, she finds a striking musical language for processes of transformation and self-empowerment.

The Eugene Symphony under Francesco Lecce-Chong performs both works with remarkable rhythmic precision and inner clarity. Lecce-Chong, a conductor with a palpable sense for narrative tension, shapes the energy of the music with sovereign control: at times he drives the orchestra to powerful outbursts, at others he allows it to breathe and pause to savor emotional contrasts. This is particularly impressive in Schiff's "Prefontaine," whose pulsating basic rhythm remains constantly in motion without ever seeming hectic. The Eugene Symphony reveals itself as a homogenous body of sound, mastering dynamic power as well as subtle nuances of color.

The sonic realization of this recording is equally successful: the sound is dynamically balanced, rich in detail, and full of body. The microphone placement captures both the explosive moments and the finer textures of the scores without losing the orchestra's transparency. Especially in Reinkemeyer's "Water Sings Fire," the shimmering orchestral layers unfold with impressive plasticity.

Overall, this recording succeeds in bringing to life the close intertwining of regional identity, individual narrative, and universal emotion. The works of David Schiff and Andrea Reinkemeyer speak in different ways to the power of the individual, to awakening and change—themes that are brought to particularly vivid attention by the Eugene Symphony's captivating performance and Francesco Lecce-Chong's thoughtful conducting.

Dirk Schauß, May 2025
David Schiff: Prefontaine “A Symphony Tribute”
Andrea Reinkemeyer "Water Sings Fire"
Eugene Symphony
Francesco Lecce-Chong, musical director
Delos, DE3609

‍