Hear music from three violinists: Alexi Kenney in a work that deals with climate change in Alaska; Rachel Lee Priday from her project with an oceanographer; and Olivia De Prato in pieces that probe questions of dislocation and return from her album Panorama.

Video: Gabriella Smith: Entangled on a Rotating Planet

On Classical KING's Northwest Focus Live, violinist Rachel Lee Priday performs Gabriella Smith's Entangled on a Rotating Planet.

Inspiration can strike in unexpected ways, a prime illustration Rachel Lee Priday's Fluid Dynamics, which augments scintillating solo performances by the violinist with a duet featuring pianist David Kaplan… Priday's spectacular technique is called upon throughout the disc, the result mesmerizing renderings of the composers' works.

New Chamber Music: Part II

By Clive Paget

“…Priday dispatches all three with flawless intonation and opulence of tone, especially appealing in the lower register.”

By Thomas May

No matter how many other leisure-time options compete for our attention, there really is nothing to replace the connection that happens at a live performance. Fortunately for classical music lovers, local organizations are busting out a new season of enticing variety, from early music innovators to contemporary composers inspired by the findings of science. 

Violinist Rachel Lee Priday performs Waterworks by cellist and composer Paul Wiancko.

The work will feature on Priday’s upcoming album with pianist David Kaplan Fluid Dynamics, out on Orchid Classics on 23 August. The album is inspired by oceanographer Georgy Manucharyan’s study of fluid dynamics and ocean currents, and combines music with stunning visuals.

Partnering with oceanographer Georgy Manucharyan and six visionary composers, violinist Rachel Lee Priday will embark on a musically rich project that blends classical music with the visual poetry of fluid dynamics experiments, including a new album, Fluid Dynamics, with pianist David Kaplan out Friday, August 23, 2024 on Orchid Classics. The album features world premiere recordings of works commissioned specifically for this project by Gabriella Smith, Paul Wiancko, Cristina Spinei, Timo Andres, Leilehua Lanzilotti and Christopher Cerrone. Liner notes have been contributed by Katy Hamilton.

The composer and music entrepreneur Dan Visconti has recently launched his new management company, Visconti Arts. One of the first artists to sign with the new company is violinist Rachel Lee Priday.

Lee Priday has appeared as soloist with the Chicago, Houston, National, Pacific, St. Louis, and Seattle Symphony Orchestras, Boston Pops Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and Germany’s Staatskapelle Berlin.

She is highly committed to new music, and has given the premiere performances of commissioned works by composers including Matthew Aucoin, Christopher Cerrone, Gabriella Smith, Timo Andres, Leilehua Lanzilotti, Cristina Spinei, Melia Watras, and Paul Wiancko.

“Priday relished the chance to luxuriate in her instrument’s silken melodic power…”