Description
Executive Producers:
Sally Swab Austin and Bradford L. Austin
Producer: Bob Attiyeh
Recording Engineer: Christopher Willis
Mixing Engineer: Arian Jansen, SonoruS Audio
Mastering Engineers: Steve Hoffman & Bob Attiyeh
45 RPM Vinyl Mastering: Bernie Grundman
“Matheson’s concerto is a supercharged showpiece for virtuoso violinist and orchestra that connects with the listener on a visceral as well as intellectual level. It keeps the soloist extremely busy as he negotiates a maze of vivid, colorful orchestral effects that ultimately are the most interesting aspect of the piece. While neo-romantic in overall flavor, Matheson is original enough to shun the feel-good bromides that constitute so much of today’s ‘new’ classical music.”
–John von Rhein, Chicago Tribune
Yarlung Records –
“Unlike many younger composers who have a basic idea and then try to orchestrate it, Matheson writes in full orchestral 3-D. Waves of tonal sounds moved across the stage, and sections had individual voices and even voices within the sections.”
–Andrew Patner, Chicago Sun-Times
Yarlung Records –
“Yarlung Record’s program produced and financed by the musical philanthropists J and Helen Schlichting of Southern California, is an excellent introduction to the notable American composer James Matheson. Matheson, now in his mid-40s, wrote his Violin Concerto for Baird Dodge, principal second violinist of the Chicago Symphony — and once the composer’s roommate at Swarthmore College. All of Matheson’s music has a bold, cinematic flair. His writing for solo violin is highly idiomatic and virtuosic; the orchestral contribution is extravagantly colorful. Matheson employs an advanced tonal syntax and confidently cites other styles as he makes his argument: the central Chaconne of the Concerto references the slow movement from Mahler’s Sixth Symphony and the energetic finale strongly suggests bluegrass. Esa-Pekka Salonen was on the podium leading the CSO for the world premiere recorded here in December of 2011.”
–Andrew Quint, The Absolute Sound
Ali Khan –
Never heard of the composer James Matheson until recently from an International Classical Music website. Glad I did! A great introduction (at least for me) to a composer from audiophile label Yarlung Records with a superb Violin Concerto. Sound & Performance from Baird Dodge, violin soloist and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Esa-Pekka Salonen is Spectacular. Do yourself a favor audiophilers buy this 45 RPM Vinyl Mastered by the great Bernie Grundman.
Brad Kato –
Some of the music I was not familiar with, but that’s part of the fun, discovering new music.
I purchased Sophisticated Lady Jazz Quartet a few years ago and enjoyed it, so I decided to buy a few more Yarlung records from Elusivedisc. I look forward to more releases from your label.
Brad Kato