NMC Recordings has released Arlene Sierra's New Music Biennial commission Urban Birds, now available for purchase via iTunes, Amazon, or the NMC website.
A piece for three pianos with sampled birdsong and percussion, Urban Birds brings together three international soloists: Sarah Nicolls, Xenia Pestova, and Kathleen Supové as part of the UK-wide New Music Biennial.
Arlene Sierra’s work Urban Birds for three pianos, sampled birdsong and percussion was intriguing – she’s a name to watch.
- BBC Music Magazine
Sierra’s was a showcase piece designed to exhibit the dynamic pianism of the virtuoso soloists... From crashing chords and driving rhythms to delicate tweets and a somewhat menacing, repeated cuckoo call, the ambience was both humorous and reflective of our relationship with nature... Sierra’s work was engaging, and formed an intriguing conclusion to a festival that amply demonstrated how alive, imaginative and downright entertaining electroacoustic music can be.
- Tempo Magazine