The University of Oregon School of Music and Dance (SOMD) earns international acclaim after an album recorded by its students and faculty climbs to an impressive No. 7 on the Naxos Bestsellers Chart. Naxos, the world’s leading classical music label, released its monthly list of bestsellers for September 2024, and SOMD’s exceptional work places the new recording among the most sought-after classical albums in the world.
Album reaches #7 on The Naxos Chart
Titled, WALKER, George: Complete Piano Works, Vol. 2., the album features a selection of works by composer George Walker, performed by SOMD’s Professor of Piano Alex Dossin. An SOMD blog post covered the inception and history of the two-volume project during its early stages.
…Alexandre Dossin’s two-volume project on Naxos – the first recording of Walker’s complete piano works by the same artist – commands attention. That his interpretations are informed by such deep empathy for this challenging music makes these albums indispensable.
Prominently featured in Volume 2 is Walker’s Piano Concerto, which showcases Dossin’s artistry alongside the UO Philharmonia - a newly established orchestra created specifically to bring this album to life. Dossin previously recorded all of Walker’s solo piano works but required a full orchestra to record the Piano Concerto. Founded in 2023, in collaboration with UO Associate Professor of Orchestral Studies and Conducting David Jacobs, the orchestra brings together twelve UO faculty members and about 40 UO students to form the ensemble. The Philharmonia fulfilled Dossin’s long quest to preserve all of George Walker’s piano works.
Volume 1, showcasing Dossin's recordings of Walker's solo piano works, is also receiving recognition. Naxos named the album in its January 2025 "Critics' Choice" list.
[Alexandre Dossin] succeeds in presenting the two piano sonatas in exciting interpretations...Played by Dossin with great commitment...this album can be recommended to every friend of excellent piano music.