Crossing The Bar – Mika Stoltzman & Richard Stoltzman

Mika Stoltzman is the world’s leading marimba virtuosa whose imaginative, genre-bending collaborations have cemented her unique place in the music world.

Crossing the Bar is a thoughtfully conceived, beautifully executed, and boldly multi-idiomatic album that is an entrée into the unique possibilities of the contemporary marimba. Crossing the Bar puts the creative boldness that has defined Mika’s career on full display, engaging in the sound worlds of contemporary classical and jazz with equal devotion and insight. Opening with her beloved Bach “Chaconne in D minor” in a new arrangement for marimba and strings – backed by members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Modern Orchestra Project – the album segues to “Breathturn: Part 1” by frequent collaborator, composer John Zorn, featuring Mika’s husband, the celebrated clarinettist Richard Stoltzman.

Next is an enchanting arrangement of Debussy’s “Rêverie” for marimba and strings, followed by a barn-storming world-premiere recording of the “Marimba Concerto No. 1” by Mika’s compatriot, GRAMMY-nominated composer Miho Hazama, which brilliantly showcases Mika’s virtuosic talents alongside those of fellow-musicians Richard Stoltzman, jazz bass player Eddie Gómez and drummer Steve Gadd.