The performance is both exceptional and memorable. As a person with lived TBI experience, it took me on a roller coaster of emotions and described in music the experience of living with a TBI.
– Russ Davies
Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor
- Kathryn Kathryn Ladano (bass clarinet) 10:00
- Russ Kathryn Ladano (bass clarinet), Richard Burrows (vibraphone) 10:02
- Paul Kathryn Ladano (bass clarinet), Morgan Lovell (cello) 09:57
- Melanie Kathryn Ladano (bass clarinet), Greg Turner (piano) 10:02
- Lucy Kathryn Ladano (bass clarinet), Greg Turner (piano), Pam Patel (soprano) 09:57
- Jeffrey Kathryn Ladano (bass clarinet), Pam Patel (soprano) 10:14
I Am Who I Am Records is proud to present, Anatomy of the Recovering Brain, an album release of chamber and electronic music by Canadian composer Frank Horvat, performed by bass clarinetist Kathryn Ladano and special guests.
In the fall of 2020, life changed instantly for acclaimed Canadian bass clarinetist Dr. Kathryn Ladano when she was rear-ended at a Toronto intersection, sustaining a traumatic brain injury that upended her world. Though the collision was small, its effects continue to shape her daily life.
Inspired by her personal recovery, Anatomy of the Recovering Brain is a deeply immersive one-hour musical journey, unfolding in six parts. It features Kathryn Ladano on bass clarinet, supported by fixed electronics and musical cameos from Richard Burrows (vibraphone), Morgan Lovell (cello), Greg Turner (piano), and Pam Patel (soprano) — friends and fellow artists who stood by her during her darkest hours.
This is about seeing life differently, celebrating our wins, and giving a voice to survivors who need to have a voice.
– Kathryn Ladano
A year into her healing process, Kathryn, along with Canadian composer Frank Horvat, conceived the idea of creating a composition that would shine a light on the profound challenges of living with an acquired brain injury. At the time, even playing her instrument for five minutes caused severe pressure in her head, making the completion of this hour-long piece a remarkable achievement in her recovery.
“I went through the darkest times of my life as a result of this injury. It takes an enormous toll on your mental well-being,” Kathryn Ladano shares. Anatomy of the Recovering Brain is more than a musical work; it is a testament to resilience, giving voice to brain injury survivors and celebrating the small victories that come with healing.
Alongside Kathryn, we hear the voices of five other acquired brain injury survivors — Russ, Paul, Melanie, Lucy, and Jeffrey — whose personal stories of struggle and resilience are woven into the fabric of this powerful work.
Learn more about the making of this album.
At its heart, this work celebrates personal empowerment and triumph over life’s challenges. We can all learn a lot from their journeys.
– Frank Horvat, Composer
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TYPE
Electro-Chamber
MUSICIANS
Kathryn Ladano (bass clarinet), Richard Burrows (vibraphone), Morgan Lovell (cello), Greg Turner (piano), Pam Patel (soprano)
COMPOSED & PRODUCED BY
Frank Horvat
RECORDED AT
Wesley United Church, Cambridge, ON Canada, by Earl McCluskie, June 22 and July 6, 2024
EDITED, MIXED, MASTERED BY
Jean Martin
COVER PHOTO
Kinsey Winger
ALBUM PACKAGING
Matthew Maaskant
RELEASE DATE
15 November 2024
Story behind the tracks
Tracks: 01-06 Anatomy of the Recovering Brain
Project funded in part thanks to generous support from:
