ELEMENTS TWO™, like its sister production, ELEMENTS™, celebrates the elements of the Earth—earth, wind, fire, water and metal—each of which has its own special beauty. These elements, along with the sensually rich expressions of nature, are reflected in the perfectly melded group of songs that comprise an album recording of jazz standards and American Songbook, including Latin favorites and just a dash of musical theater. In this CFH project, Elena Greco solos throughout, joined by talented international solo and ensemble performers from multiple genres and styles. Once the album is completed, we’ll offer a beautiful live performance!

CONCERTS FOR HEALING™, a multimedia concert series presenting beautiful music and educational presentations that focus on issues of wellness and ecology.

BEHIND THE SCENES is a peek behind the curtain of self-producing an album through a Substack journal. I’ll take you along on my journey as I do everything a solopreneur is required to do to create, fund and promote such a project. The steps involved in this process are adaptable for self-producing any project, whether a recording, a concert, or a multi-media project, so if you’re a musician who hasn’t produced your own project before, this is a good place to start.

EGMP CREATIVE ARTIST INTERVIEWS™ are live video discussions and interviews with creatives about what it means to be a creative artist in the US. There is often a misperception by non-creatives of why creatives do what they do and live the way they live. I want to give creatives a chance to describe what living their lives is like for them on a daily basis, what it feels like to be a creative, and what compels them to pursue their art, sometimes in spite of great obstacles. I think they don’t often get to express that. And I hope to foster an appreciation of each for the other.

THE MUSIC SALON™, a monthly performance experience and space for community for musicians. In this creative laboratory, professional singers and instrumentalists can perform in a non-judgmental arena, experiment with repertoire and expression, stretch beyond perceived limitations, and experience the space for spontaneity and improvisation. It’s fine to run pieces when you’re getting ready for an audition or a show, and it’s equally fine to experiment with work that you’re not sure about or that is a departure from your usual genre or style.

We welcome all musicians (as well as poets, screenwriters and actors), but are particularly supportive of the needs of singers. While we once focused on classical music, The Music Salon now focuses on singers (and players) of cabaret, jazz, folk, and musical theater. Other genres are still welcome, though.

The group is not open to the public or to spectators in order to maintain a safe and comfortable space for the creative artists. If you are interested in joining us, or know of someone who might be, you are warmly invited to let me know by emailing me. Our meetings resume this fall!

THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™, an ongoing multimedia concert series which entertains while educating about the rich and extensive genre of Spanish art song, exploring the cultural factors that merge to create the sound of Spanish music, and offering you an experience of this thrilling, passionate genre.

What is it about Spanish music that lets you know instantly that what you’re hearing is Spanish? The Flavor of Spain explores the exotic cultural influences that create that unique sound. Deep in the lush, passionate and thrilling sound of this music are influences of the Moorish, Greek, Turkish, Italian, French, Sephardic and Flamenco cultures, and you will hear all of these elements in the music of The Flavor of Spain.

This concert series presents in multimedia beautiful examples of this rich genre. In Part 1 of this concert series, we hear the sounds of southern Spain – Moorish, Sephardic, Italian, Flamenco and Andalusian influence – including settings of folk songs from these regions by De Falla, Lorca, Turina, Obradors and others. In Part 2, we listen to the native sounds of northern Spain, including Catalan, Basque and French influence, and hear beautiful music by composers Granados, Guridi, de Iradier, Longas, Obradors, Toldra and Turina. Part 3, Unsung Songs of Spain, showcases little-known Spanish composers, such as Federico Longas, and little-heard songs of better-known composers. Part 4, Noches, Noches, explores the rich and moving musical culture of the Sephardim (Spanish Jews), sung entirely in Ladino. 

Audio-visual presentations of images, music and historical points of interest introduce live music, guiding you deeper into the “flavor” of Spanish music. You will leave with an understanding of how this unique sound came into being, as well as a deep appreciation for this amazing genre and the beauty of the Spanish language in song.

THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™
Part 4: Noches, Noches

What is it about Spanish music that lets you know instantly that what you’re hearing is Spanish? THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™ explores in multimedia the exotic cultural influences that create that unique sound. Deep in the lush, passionate and thrilling sound of this music are influences of the Moorish, Middle Eastern, Italian, French, Sephardic and Flamenco cultures, and you will hear all of these elements in the music of THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™.

Part 4 of THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™, Noches, Noches, explores the rich and moving musical culture of the Sephardim (Spanish Jews), sung entirely in Ladino.

THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™
Part 3:  Unsung Songs of Spain

What is it about Spanish music that lets you know instantly that what you’re hearing is Spanish? THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™ explores in multimedia the exotic cultural influences that create that unique sound. Deep in the lush, passionate and thrilling sound of this music are influences of the Moorish, Middle Eastern, Italian, French, Sephardic and Flamenco cultures, and you will hear all of these elements in the music of THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™.

UNSUNG SONGS OF SPAIN, Part 3 of this series, showcases two wonderful modern Spanish composers who are mostly unknown in this country, Federico Longàs and Jordi Sabatés, as well as little-heard songs of better-known composers Joaquin Turina and Fernando Obradors. We will be offering two U.S. premieres in this concert, one with an interpretive dance. You will be amazed at the beauty and sensuality of this music, and you will leave with a deep appreciation for this amazing genre.

SOMETHING’S COMING! The Songs of Leonard Bernstein
Elena Greco, mezzo-soprano; Richard Gordon, piano
with Teresa Castillo, soprano; Theodore Chletsos, tenor; and Sung Shin, baritone
August 15, 2018

Born on August 25, 1918, Leonard Bernstein was a uniquely and monstrously talented American composer, pianist, conductor, writer and music lecturer. He conducted leading orchestras, most notably the New York Philharmonic.  His music spanned multiple genres—sometimes in the same work. I consider West Side Story and Candide to be masterpieces, each utilizing the American musical theater form, but requiring classically-trained voices.  His plentiful eclectic compositions include Peter Pan, Wonderful Town, On the Town, On the Waterfront, a Mass, Chichester Psalms, three symphonies, a ballet, an opera, film scores, choral works, chamber music and more.  He was also a compelling music lecturer; his famed Harvard lectures can still be found on YouTube.  He won 15 Grammys and was venerated by colleagues, musicians and the public.

EGMP’s Something’s Coming! The Songs of Leonard Bernstein concert presents vocal works of Bernstein, including those from West Side Story, Candide, On the Town, Peter Pan, Wonderful Town and more. Artists of the highest caliber will offer solos, duets, and ensembles in honor of Lenny.

KALEIDOSCOPE™
Elena Greco, mezzo-soprano; Richard Gordon, piano;
with Victor Khodadad, tenor; Beverly Butrie, soprano;
James Shackelford, baritone; Guillermo Cardenas, percussion
June 3, 2015

KALEIDOSCOPE™ embraces the kaleidoscope of human experience, the changing hues of our moods, our multi-faceted daily lives, the spectrum of human emotions. This part of the series explores how we can support our own mental health and that of our communities through simple, everyday actions. The concert includes music that encompasses the kaleidoscope of human experiences through multiple genres—musical theater, jazz and pop songs. Leave this concert informed, inspired and thoroughly entertained!

ELEMENTS™
Elena Greco, vocalist; Richard Gordon, piano;
with Risa Renae Harman, soprano; and
David Silliman, percussion
November 20, 2013

ELEMENTS™ celebrates the elements of the Earth: earth, wind, fire, water and metal, each of which has their own special beauty. The concert begins with a short video about the environment and a little information about how we can each contribute effortlessly to preserving it. Then experience beautiful images of nature, followed by nature-themed music encompassing several genres. Musical theater, jazz standards, Latin jazz and music of the 1960s, with talented special guest artists, combine to provide an experience everyone can enjoy. Come to be inspired, and wait for the surprise at the end!

THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™ PART 2
Part 2:  Influences of Catalan and Basque cultures
Elena Greco, mezzo-soprano; Richard Gordon, piano;
with Risa Renae Harman, soprano
May 1, 2013

What is it about Spanish music that lets you know instantly that what you’re hearing is Spanish? THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™ explores in multimedia the exotic cultural influences that create that unique sound. Deep in the lush, passionate and thrilling sound of this music are influences of the Moorish, Middle Eastern, Italian, French, Sephardic and Flamenco cultures, and you will hear all of these elements in the music of The Flavor of Spain.

In Part 1 of this concert series, we heard the sounds of southern Spain – Moorish, Sephardic, Italian, Flamenco and Andalusian influence – including settings of folk songs from these regions by De Falla, Lorca, Turina, Obradors and others.

In Part 2, we listen to the native sounds of northern Spain – Catalan and Basque influences. We will present beautiful music by composers Granados, Guridi, de Iradier, Longas, Obradors, Toldrà and Turina, as well as more Sephardic music.

A video presentation of images, music and historical points of interest introduce live music, guiding you deeper into the “flavor” of Spanish music. You will leave with an understanding of how this unique sound came into being, as well as a deep appreciation for this amazing genre and the beauty of the Spanish language in song.

THE FLAVOR OF SPAIN™
Part 1:  Influences of Flamenco, Sephardic, Moorish and Italian cultures
Elena Greco, mezzo-soprano; Richard Gordon, piano
with Daniel Garcia, guitar; and Guillermo Cardenas, percussion
June 27, 2012

What is it about Spanish music that lets you know instantly that what you’re hearing is Spanish? The Flavor of Spain explores in multi-media the exotic cultural influences that create that unique sound. Deep in the lush, passionate and thrilling sound of this music are influences of the Moorish, Greek, Turkish, Italian, French, Sephardic and Flamenco cultures, and you will hear all of these elements in the music of The Flavor of Spain.

In Part 1 of this concert series, we focus on southern Spain. We will offer some Flamenco and Sephardic songs which exemplify the important contribution of these cultures to Spanish music, along with settings of folk songs from these regions by Andalusian composers De Falla, Taboada and Lorca. In addition, you will hear beautiful Spanish art songs from the 19th and 20th centuries, including the North American premiere of a song by Federico Longas, and songs of Turina and Obradors. A presentation of images, music and historical points of interest will introduce the live music, guiding you deeper into the “flavor” of Spanish music. You will leave with an understanding of how this unique sound came into being, as well as a deep appreciation for this amazing genre and the beauty of the Spanish language in song.