Ben’s second CD recording, “Suite: Noah’s Ark,” was released by Madacy Entertainment in the United States and Canada on April 24, 2001. Combining beautiful, original melodies with motifs from traditional Sephardic songs, Ben creates a unique work of “New American Music” that interprets the well known biblical story. The album features Ben on piano with vocal textures provided by outstanding vocalist Valentina Oriani.
“Suite: Noah’s Ark” was recorded at the famous Magic Shop recording studios in lower Manhattan, and co-produced by Ben and Steve Rosenthal. Ben chose to record the CD on a monstrous, Yamaha CFIIIS Concert Grand Piano, but he and Steve employed novel microphone placements to establish a unique, organic “sound” for the piano. These techniques enabled Ben to use his inventive playing to create an extraordinary array of sounds that allude at times to string, wind, and even percussion instruments. The result is a recording of rich texture and great beauty.
The world live premiere of “Suite: Noah’s Ark” was on April 28, 2001, at the Lighthouse in New York City.
Proceeds from the concert, as well as part of the proceeds from sale of the “Suite: Noah’s Ark” CD and digital downloads will benefit Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger.