“Daniel is as sensitive and respectful a person as he is musically talented. I trusted that he would use this experience to create a work that truly honored the farming community. The resulting concert was everything we hoped for and more.”
Bob Andrews - dairy farmer
RAKONTO: Voices from the Farm
An exploration of the lives of farmers and the work they do.
This piece features the voices of farmers Daniel interviewed on a trip to the "North Country" of New York State, the extreme frontier bordering Canada.
An exploration into the lives of farmers who help make the food we put on our table. Hearing about their challenges, the reason they do what they do, & their daily routines was insightful and humbling. These folks work HARD so we can eat!
The farmers’ stories are interwoven in a musical suite that is imbued with compassion, understanding, drama, humor, groove and unabashed lyricism. Many of the pieces are arrangements of traditional fiddle tunes that add a level of dynamism that has thrilled audiences.
The ensemble features other great artists who have explored folk music in their own work: vocalist Jean Rohe and guitarist Joel Harrison.
VOICES FROM THE FARM featured on NPR - click here to listen!
Commissioned by Community Performance Series, 2014