Astolfi said the album, titled "Wisconsin Soundscapes," is the culmination of a collaborative project with the Wisconsin Alliance for Composers, which resulted in the creation of six new works for piano by Geoffrey Gordon, Joseph Koykkar, Ryan Maguire, Joel Naumann, Yehuda Yannay, and Donald J. Young. The project was supported by the Wisconsin Arts Board and several institutions within the University of Wisconsin System. Dr. Ed Martin, Vice President of the Wisconsin Alliance for Composers, served as the project manager.
"I am honored to have collaborated with the many people involved, including the six outstanding composers," Astolfi said. "Each of the new pieces was based on a composer-chosen Wisconsin theme, which resulted in a wonderfully colorful and diverse variety of music."
Originally from Canada, Astolfi has served on the music faculty at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and at Henderson State University. She also frequently serves as a piano clinician, coach, and master class instructor. An active member in various local, state, and national music associations, she currently serves on the governing board of PianoArts, a North American piano competition, festival, and fellowship organization.
The recordings can be ordered from Amazon and iTunes, or from Ravello Records at www.ravellorecords.com/catalog/rr7903 on the Ravello Records website.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/2/285666