Sharp Edges is a collection of seven solo and chamber compositions written between 2004 and 2011. It marks a landmark in Baker’s compositional output and represents some of his most recent approaches to writing music. Featuring ensembles and individuals from England, Canada and the United States (including the composer on piano), these seven works offer an exciting variation in instrumentation; solo piano, trio, two quartets, quintet, and sextet including woodwind, brass, percussion and strings, giving the CD a rich palette of textures and sound colours
Robert A. Baker is a composer of new, daring and provocative art-music. He writes for solo, chamber, orchestral, choral, vocal and digital mediums, and has over 20 years experience performing, conducting, composing, teaching, researching, and producing concerts in North America and Europe. He has co-founded and directed many series and individual concerts in the US and Canada, including Toronto-based toneART ensemble (1999-2003), Baltimore-based ArsNova21 new music concerts (2009), and Maryland’s New Music Salisbury (2010-11), just to name a few.
Works/Tracks
1. Valence IV 8:59
Chris Gekker, Adam Gonzalez, Pamela Helton, Lauren Rausch, Bill Richards and Joe Satava
2. Sharp Edges 7:10
Psappha Ensemble
3. Valence III 6:10
Miyoko Grine-Fisher, Howard Niblock and Alexy Rolfe
4. Nor gates of steel so strong, but Time decays? 7:54
Robert A. Baker
5. Valence II 13:41
Chiasmus Ensemble
6. String Quartet #1: releasing anamnesis, I 7:48
Elgin String Quartet
7. String Quartet #1: releasing anamnesis, II 5:28
Elgin String Quartet
8. Valence I 8:59
Robert A. Baker
