PROJECT ENCORE, VOLUME 2 to be released on August 15 on Neuma Records!
Now spanning two recorded sets, Volume 2 (Neuma 235) by Timothy McAllister and Liz Ames (the Ann Arbor-based duo’s fifth album since 2020) adds to the 14 works on Volume 1 (Neuma 165, 2022).
Highlights include among the 17 new compositions:
• Wynton Marsalis – A rare chamber work from the Pulitzer- and GRAMMY®-winning icon
• Jennifer Higdon – A Fine Line, a melodic gem from the celebrated Pulitzer laureate
• John Wineglass – Wild Rhapsody!, a joyful piece by the Emmy-Award winning TV-composer
• Adam Schoenberg – Dance, a playful, groove-driven homage to Prokofiev and Copland
• Iman Habibi – Sulfuric Rivers, a haunting meditation on climate change
• Lembit Beecher – Baltic Crossings, inspired by Estonian folklore and family history
• Sean Hickey – Mutually Assured Destruction, a high-octane duel of virtuosity
Vol 2. is a channel-surfing mosaic of modern works reflecting broken dreams, wistful nostalgia, environmental fears, youthful opti- mism, the darkness of global conflict, and, ultimately, hope for a better world. McAllister notes, “there is a mission and a level of musical activ- ism behind this series of works, and nothing can speak to the state and richness of concert music today better than the saxophone.”
“We envisioned PROJECT ENCORE as a platform for music that defies convention,” says McAllister. “These pieces aren’t just add-ons — they’re gateways to discovering today’s most compelling composers.” Ames, a sought-after collaborative pianist, adds, “It’s been exhilarating to explore these works, each with its own story and emotional resonance. We hope they inspire performers and audiences alike.”
Available on all platforms on August 15! Pre-order and mark your calendars!