From the Civil War to Civil Rights
Following the success of the Busoni The Visionary series, Jeni is humbled to introduce something so intimately close to home. With Southern roots of her own, Ms. Slotchiver’s debut ZOHO CD release American Heritage presents compositions that honor the vast African-American musical tradition as well as Union army hymns from the Civil War. There are contemporary arrangements and harmonizations of sea shanties, songs of enslaved people, and secular dances, plus arrangements of spirituals. Several compositions recall the strong, Southern voices of gospel and blues, and of the eight composers represented, six are of African descent and two of these are women.
Hear Jeni discuss her latest recording American Heritage and more on the Cadenza webcast with David Osenberg. Stream: Part 1 & Part 2
Catch Jeni in the feature-length documentary Piano Lessons, which tells the untold and compelling story of German Diez Nieto, the great Cuban protégée of Claudio Arrau. See the trailer
“Slotchiver has a rich blues touch and a bona fide feel for gospel and folk material… taking you to a different world of patience and space. A journey to another world and world view. ”
— George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
“You’ve never heard a more invigorating performance than Jeni gives you… Her piano covers all the bases… jazz, blues and even Tchaikovsky in one stunning performance.”
— Dick Metcalf, Contemporary Fusion Reviews
“Illuminated, brilliantly executed renditions of Busoni works declare Slotchiver as a major exponent of this rarified tradition.”
— Gary Lemco, Audiophile Audition
“Like the composer, she is no show-off, but a musician who finds a compelling balance between eloquence and restraint. Her every performance is worthy of the highest respect.”
— Marcus Dalton, Piano Magazine
“A CD of great depth - powerful resonances - evocative passages, restored to their fullness by the extraordinary interpretation of Jeni Slotchiver, who shows her world-class playing, endowed with great technique”
— Marco del Vaglio, CriticaClassica
“No one plays Busoni’s piano music with greater clarity or depth of understanding than Jeni Slotchiver. There is no finer, or more committed, advocate for this greatly underrated composer working today.”
— Jerry Bowles, Sequenza/21
“Her wide range of keyboard color and sense of mystery are quite simply mesmerizing”
— David Hurwitz, Classics Today
“A fascinating program of piano works impressively played by the pianist Jeni Slotchiver”
— Anthony Tommasini, The New York Times