All Things Strings

Bernard Herrmann is widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s most important composers, responsible for more than fifty film scores (in addition to his work for TV, radio, and the concert hall), and noted for his collaborations with Orson Welles and, later, with Alfred Hitchcock. Welles was unofficially involved with Robert Stevenson’s film of Jane Eyre in the 1940s, and it was Welles that suggested Herrmann as composer for the project. Herrmann became obsessed with all things Brontë, and within months was writing to friends of his plans to write an opera on Wuthering Heights. It took him eight years to complete the vocal score, using a libretto written by his wife, Lucille Fletcher. Although he conducted a recording of the work, in 1966, he failed to see a live production in his lifetime.

While not nearly as cutting-edge as its predecessor, All The Wars still provides a remarkably alluring collection of alt-rock songs…

This Grappelli box set bringing together 37 titles, including 23 previously unreleased, celebrates the violinist's friendship with the pianist, composer, arranger and conductor Gérard Gustin. A first album, entirely unpublished, produced by Sacha Distel in 1970, allows us to hear Stéphane in a “string” context. A setting that perfectly suits this gentleman of the violin. The two quartet sessions brought together in the second volume present another aspect of the discographic collaboration between the two men, which spanned almost ten years. As a bonus, a new unpublished quintet session from 1961, with guitarist Pierre Cullaz.

This Grappelli box set bringing together 37 titles, including 23 previously unreleased, celebrates the violinist's friendship with the pianist, composer, arranger and conductor Gérard Gustin. A first album, entirely unpublished, produced by Sacha Distel in 1970, allows us to hear Stéphane in a “string” context. A setting that perfectly suits this gentleman of the violin. The two quartet sessions brought together in the second volume present another aspect of the discographic collaboration between the two men, which spanned almost ten years. As a bonus, a new unpublished quintet session from 1961, with guitarist Pierre Cullaz.

This Grappelli box set bringing together 37 titles, including 23 previously unreleased, celebrates the violinist's friendship with the pianist, composer, arranger and conductor Gérard Gustin. A first album, entirely unpublished, produced by Sacha Distel in 1970, allows us to hear Stéphane in a “string” context. A setting that perfectly suits this gentleman of the violin. The two quartet sessions brought together in the second volume present another aspect of the discographic collaboration between the two men, which spanned almost ten years. As a bonus, a new unpublished quintet session from 1961, with guitarist Pierre Cullaz.

Sweden’s OPETH are preparing to release their most important record to date with »In Cauda Venenum«. Certainly, fans and critics will have their opinion, but few records in the Swedes’ oeuvre are as engaging, delicate, panoramic, intense, and musical as OPETH’s lucky thirteenth. Sporting a clever Travis Smith cover – replete with inside jokes and a nod to KING DIAMOND – a masterful Park Studios (The Hellacopters, Graveyard) production, OPETH’s usual five-star musicianship, and lyrics entirely in Swedish, »In Cauda Venenum« raises the bar markedly. While a record in Swedish is a first—there’s also an English version—for frontman and founding member Mikael Åkerfeldt, the 10 songs on offer feel and sound completely natural. As if years of listening to and being a fan of Swedish rock and hard rock has paid off. In a way, Opeth have come home. But the Swedish lyrics of the primary edition of »In Cauda Venenum« shouldn’t distract from the quality presented in OPETH’s new songs, the lot of which sneak up and take control after repeated listens. »In Cauda Venenum« is like that, tricky in its complicated simplicity, resourceful in its ability to charm with delightful if wistful melodies. Really, it’s just OPETH being OPETH.

Always eager to record in new situations, on this CD Lee Konitz is showcased with a string sextet (two violins, violas and cellos), bassist Michael Formanek and drummer Matt Wilson. The cool-toned altoist pays tribute during a dozen songs to both Billie Holiday and (in a more subtle fashion) tenor great Lester Young, two of his early idols. Daniel Schnyder contributed all of the arrangements for the set. Rather than weighing down the proceedings, Schnyder has the strings adding rich harmonies and phrases that seem to anticipate the leader's phrases, and they even swing. Lee Konitz, who added a vibrato to his sound for the project so he could recreate some of Billie Holiday's feeling, handles the ballads and medium-tempo material beautifully. Highlights include "The Man I Love," "I Cried For You," "All Of Me" and "Easy Living." A memorable and heartfelt effort by all concerned.