Nebula

About this CD:

HEATHER SCHMIDT, one of the most gifted virtuoso pianists and finest composers of her generation, is recognized as one of the few contemporary classical musicians to follow in the tradition of famous composer-pianists such as Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Schumann, Brahms, and Rachmaninoff. She has been described as cool, poised, utterly musical, absolutely amazing, versatile, a musical talent without match, a great artist, and as much a pianist in the professional sense as she is a composer. Her compositions have been described as bold and confident, evocative, striking, intriguing, and seamlessly crafted, her performances riveting, rich, colorful, technically exact, powerful and sensitive. This CD marks the first time outside of the concert hall that listeners will be able to experience the fascination and air of Schmidt performing Schmidt.

Heather Schmidt has received national and international recognition through performances, broadcasts, commissions and awards. Her awards include: two nominations for Canada’s prestigious JUNO award in the “Classical Composition of the Year” category, three consecutive Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) Awards, SOCAN Composer Awards, the Zwilich Prize in the International League of Women Composers Competition, and the Juilliard Composers Competition Award. As a virtuoso soloist, she received First Place in the Eckhardt-Gramatté National Music Competition, and the First Place, Audience Choice, and Maestro’s Choice Millennium Foundation Awards at the Canadian Concerto Competition.

Works/Tracks
1. Silver Tides 7:03
2. Elektra’s Tanz 15:10
3. Serenity 3:19
4. Night Rainbow 6:37
5. Twelve for Ten: Prelude 4:02
6. Twelve for Ten: Fugue 3:08
7. Shimmer 3:27
8. Nebula 10:06
9. Moon Cove 5:11

PERFORMER
Heather Schmidt, piano

REVIEWS
“Throughout musical history, the term “pianist-composer” is one that has been used all too liberally – usually it’s a case of either-or. So when someone such as Heather Schmidt comes along, we tend to sit up and take notice, for she truly excels on both levels. Her newest disc, Nebula, on the CMC label, is the first opportunity for the public to enjoy her pianistic talents at performing her own solo music, while demonstrating just how well the description pianist-composer applies to this Calgary-born artist.

Schmidt studied piano and composition at the Juilliard School and later at Indiana University, where she was the youngest student to earn a doctorate degree. Since then, she’s been the recipient of numerous honours, including three consecutive BMI awards and two from SOCAN. Most recently, a move to Los Angeles with a focus on the creation of film and television scores has revealed yet another side of her talents.

In creating Nebula, she explained that it was her aim to capture the special connection between composer, performer and audience and as a result she deliberately included works with a wide range of styles. Indeed, contrast is a big part of this disc, and her music demonstrates a myriad of influences. Pieces such as Silver Tides and Serenity are nocturnal and atmospheric while the “Fugue” from Twelve for Ten is a robust contemporary interpretation of a baroque form. In contrast, Shimmer owes something to the French Impressionists, while the technically-demanding Nebula is bold and impassioned. Throughout, her flawless technique goes hand-in-hand with a deeply-rooted sensitivity.

Bravo, Ms. Schmidt, you’ve proven that you are indeed a rara avis, a fine pianist who also happens to excel at composition, and Nebula is an example of some fine solo contemporary musicmaking on many levels.” – Richard Haskell, the WholeNote