The Anchoress by Hyunah Yu, soprano; Mimi Stillman, flute; PRISM Quartet; Piffaro, The Renaissance Band
The Anchoress (2018) by David Serkin Ludwig (b. 1974)
Three Anchoress Songs (2018) by David Serkin Ludwig (b. 1974)
Soprano Hyunah Yu, the PRISM Quartet, and Piffaro, The Renaissance Band present a one-woman monodrama that combines voice with modern saxophones and period instruments, inspired by a real historical phenomenon: the medieval Christians (mostly women) who became “living saints” by sequestering themselves in permanently sealed “anchorholds” (cells) attached to churches. Created by poet Katie Ford and composer David Ludwig, The work explores struggles with faith, alienation, gender, and social power through the imagined person of an anchoress, described by Corinna da Fonseca-Wollheim in her liner notes as "a paradoxical figure: Buried alive, she is sought out for her wisdom. Encased in perpetual darkness, she is considered clairvoyant. Dead to the world, she becomes a pillar of her community." The Anchoress “conjures a time of medieval mysticism, but the social dynamic it highlights—one that honors women only by relegating them—is not bound by any era” (The New Yorker).
Tracklist
Credits
Executive Producer/Mastering: Matthew Levy
Producers: David Serkin Ludwig, PRISM Quartet
Principal Session Engineer: John O. Senior
Associate Session Engineers: Brendan McGeehan, Nancy Kimmons
Editing/Mixing: Matthew Levy, David Serkin Ludwig
Artwork/Design: OfficeOfDevelopment.com
License
All rights reserved.
The PRISM Quartet seeks to place the saxophone in unexpected contexts, chart fresh musical territory, and to challenge, inspire, and move audiences. “A bold ensemble that set the standard for contemporary-classical sax quartets” (NY Times), PRISM has been presented by Carnegie Hall, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and as soloists with the Detroit Symphony and Cleveland Orchestra.