On October 27, Hem's original score for the summer's most talked about production will be released on Waveland/Nettwerk Records. The album will feature vocals by the star-studded cast including Anne Hathaway, Audra McDonald and Raul Esparza, among others.
The Brooklyn-based band received critical acclaim upon the debut of their original music set to The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park production of ‘Twelfth Night.' "Lovely original songs," wrote the New York Post, while the New York Times raved that Hem's "handsome" music added "color, wit, life to almost every scene...the sound evoking a distant era without straining for period authenticity," and Newsday declared, "this exceptionally musical production has beautiful folky-Elizabethan-Irish-Scottish-doo-wop songs...someone, please, ask Hem to write a show." In addition, New York Magazine called it "triumphant," Variety called it "soul-stirring" and The Hollywood Reporter said the music is "hauntingly memorable."
Hem collaborated with ‘Twelfth Night's' all-star cast and using a palette of original orchestral cues, traditional reels, and their own uniquely cinematic sound, Hem created each of the 28 tracks on the record, which features vocals from Anne Hathaway, Audra McDonald, Raúl Esparza, Dave Pittu and Jon Patrick Walker. Hem worked closely with director Daniel Sullivan to ensure that the music was fully integrated into the production, including having Hem band member Steve Curtis perform onstage alongside the cast. Hem, whose musical credits include four previously released studio albums, created a dazzling interpretation of the Shakespeare classic, skillfully combining the whimsy of the live production with both classical and modern musical arrangements.
Hem's ‘Twelfth Night' is a perfect way to relive one of New York's hottest summer productions. The record features The Illyrian Marching Band and The Gowanus Radio Orchestra and a wide array of string and percussion instruments, and woodwinds. Hem is Dan Messe (piano), Steve Curtis (guitar, harmony vocal, percussion), Gary Maurer (mandolin, guitar), Sally Ellyson (vocals), Mark Brotter (drums) and George Rush (bass). Lyics by Shakespeare, Music by Hem.
Hem have been in the studio recently completing their next studio album titled ‘Departure and Farewell,' which will be released in Spring 2010.
The Shakespeare in the Park production was directed by Daniel Sullivan and starred Anne Hathaway and Audra McDonald. The play rans Tuesday through Sunday, June 10-July 12, at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
The album will be performed by Hem and the onstage band, and include additional bonus tracks not featured in the summer production, including a duet between Hathaway and McDonald "Full Fathom Five" with lyrics from The Tempest.
"Full Fathom Five" and additional tracks from the album can be streamed here.
