"On January 8, 2016, his 69th birthday, David Bowie released “Blackstar”. He died two days later on January 10th. “Blackstar” was Bowie’s parting gift to the world, a self-eulogy, hinting at the sacred and reveling in the profane. Blackstar is a concept album, but the concept is unnamed, or is the Un-nameable itself: facing death, living in its shadow.
In their new album “Bowie Cello Symphonic: Blackstar”, visionary cellist Maya Beiser and composer/conductor Evan Ziporyn honor Bowie and his influence. Immersing themselves in this astounding music, living inside it, embodying it. Bowie’s 4-octave vocal range matches the cello almost exactly, making it the perfect protagonist instrument. Beiser and Ziporyn re-create the entire album as a cello concerto, arranged by Ziporyn for Beiser as soloist.
To compliment the “Bowie Cello Symphonic: Blackstar” album, Maya Beiser and Evan Ziporyn have also released two “Bowing on Bowie” singles. “Life on Mars?” and “Ziggy Stardust”, composed by Bowie and arranged by Evan Ziproyn, were originally performed by Beiser, Ziporyn, and the Ambient Orchestra as encores during their live shows.
“Bowing on Bowie: Life on Mars?” begins with cello and piano playing together in classical fashion, as if performing a cello and piano recital, and slowly evolves into a rich and complex full ensemble. Accompanying Maya Beiser are Evan Ziporyn , Mary Rowell and Olivier Manchon , Marka Gustavsson , Jesse Murphy , and Zachary Alford ."
