September 15 marks the physical and digital release by Bridge Records of Gilbert’s world premiere recording of Oceans Apart by former Classical Recording Foundation “Composer of the Year” Justin Dello Joio. Gilbert recorded the concerto with its dedicatee, Grammy-winning pianist Garrick Ohlsson, and the commissioning Boston Symphony Orchestra, with whom he gave the work’s world premiere performances last winter. The Boston Globe reported:

“Dello Joio’s writing for orchestra is fascinating and highly resourceful, with a vast palette of percussion, airy whispering string figurations, and ear-catching textures achieved through purposefully non-synchronized effects. … Ohlsson’s performance was a tour de force combining tensile strength and flexibility with a clear rhythmic profile. From the podium, Gilbert masterfully shaped the BSO’s rendering of this densely layered score.”

As Classical Review put it:

“Gilbert, a crackerjack purveyor of new music in his own right, presided over an orchestral accompaniment that was conspicuous for its blend of discretion, textural lucidity, and dancing energy.”