— Philip Glass
Her frequent collaborator, director Douglas McGrath, quotes a line about Truman Capote from the movie "Infamous": "When you look at a candle, at its bright flame, at the center there's always that little touch of blue." And I think that's true in Rachel's music.
— NPR's All Things Considered
Node Records, part of Wise Music Group, has released "ask the river," the artist album by composer Rachel Portman, through all digital platforms.
Rachel Portman on "ask the river"
"I was searching to write something very tender and gentle around the notion of love," says Portman. "Love of the beauty of nature and wildlife, as well as love for human others. It seemed it needed to be very still, which is how it starts and ends and to allow it to be very simple without too many notes — this can be a challenge as it doesn’t want to seem simplistic. The music almost holds its breath at the beginning and then gradually releases and opens out as it progresses. The cellist Caroline Dale brings great tenderness and beauty in her playing. I gave this piece as a gift to my daughter Giulia."
"ask the river," piano sheet music will be available for purchase this June at your music dealer in a Chester Music edition distributed by Hal Leonard. To stay up-to-date, follow Node Records at facebook.com/NodeRecordsWiseMusic/
About Rachel Portman
Portman is a critically-acclaimed composer who has written over 100 scores for film, television and theatre. She was the first female composer to win an Academy Award, for scoring Emma. She has received two further Academy nominations for The Cider House Rules and Chocolat, the latter which also earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
Additionally Rachel has written for symphony orchestra as well as stage works. Her opera based on Saint Exupery’s The Little Prince was written for Houston Grand Opera in 2003, and Portman received an Emmy nomination of Outstanding Musical Direction for BBC’s filmed version. Portman received an Emmy nomination for HBO’s Grey Gardens (2009), and won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for HBO’s Bessie (2015). In 2019 Portman wrote Earth Song, a choral piece quoting text by Greta Thunberg, and scored BBC One’s animation Mimi and the Mountain Dragon. Portman was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2010.
Facebook: Rachel Portman
Twitter: @rpcomposer
Instagram: @rachelportmancomposer
rachelportman.co.uk
Node Records
Node Records is a specialty boutique label committed to releasing and marketing music from groundbreaking artists and films. Notable releases include the Oscar-winning Free Solo, the Oscar-nominated The Wife, CNN Films’ Halston, and Jeff Beal's Light Falls: Space, Time, and an Obsession of Einstein.
Music. Vision. Passion.
Facebook: @NodeRecordsWiseMusic
Twitter: @Node_Records
Instagram: @Noderecords
noderecords.com
