Rachmaninoff; 13 Preludes, Op. 32; Variations on a Theme by Corelli; Isle of the Dead CD

Rachmaninoff; 13 Preludes, Op. 32; Variations on a Theme by Corelli; Isle of the Dead "With just a hint of new age drama and a gentle heart, Ni¶el is touching in its understated brilliance....[T]he most striking fact about Ni¶el is its integral construction and execution. The tracks flow seamlessly, one into the next, and remind one of butter being stirred into hot fudge, swirling and glistening, warm and sweet." -- Richard Banks, ChristmasReviews Amy Yassinger sung the parts that were sung. Matthew Prins and A.J. Nelson did most of the rest. What remains was done by Mr. Nelson's friends Daniel Stein, Beth Donovan, and Jessica Meyers, as well as by Helene Francoise Lipogramme. We owe them all a severe debt of gratitude. Recorded at LnL Recording in Elgin, Ill. in July and August 2009. Recorded and programmed at Chicago Foundry Records in Buffalo Grove, Ill. and Nelson/Nelson Studios in Chicago, Ill. throughout the first half of 2009. LnL Recording sessions engineered by Larry Kriz. Mixed and mastered by Matthew Prins at Chicago Foundry Records. Produced by Matthew Prins. Art design by Dopey McWilliams. Copy editing by Pam R. Whittens. The photo on the front cover is "2007-12-02 (Cutting Down the Christmas Tree) 032," Steve Winton. Photo from Flickr and used under the Creative Commons Attribution License (creativecommons. org/licenses/by/2. 0/). Throat singing sample in "Benedictus Agnus Dei (hundredfold)" by D.J. Griffin (icompositions /artists/djgriffin) and used under the Creative Commons Sampling Plus License. Special thanks to Kim and Benji Prins; Josh, Beth, and Ava Prins; Marv and Sue Prins; Rich and Mary Ann Wentzlaff; Janet Nelson; Dutch and May Smith; Park Ridge Presbyterian Church; First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn; everyone at the Arts & Faith Forum. God. All songs traditional and arranged by Matthew Prins except "Sleep, holy babe," with traditional lyrics and new music by Matthew Prins, and "Benedictus Agnus Dei (hundredfold)" with lyrics and music by Matthew Prins. All arrangements and songs © 2009 Matthew Prins and licensed with Thelma Dawn Espirt Publishing (ASCAP). For Kim and Benji. Emmanuel Shall Come to Thee is a Chicagoland collective of musicians led by composer Matthew Prins. The group incorporates classical, folk, new-age, orchestral, jazz, and minimalist influences into their progressive interpretations of familiar works. Featuring 19 new holiday arrangements and compositions by composer Matthew Prins, Noel fuses a myriad of influences into a Christmas album quite unlike any heard before. Performed primarily by Prins and multi-instrumentalist A.J. Nelson, Noel features a harmonious blend of handbells, handchimes, carillon, strings, woodwinds, and brass, as well as the talents of vocalist Amy Yassinger. Matthew Prins is an active composer and arranger of religious and secular sheet music, with over 10,000 copies sold and over 30 works published or accepted for publication. Prins has placed works with some of the country's largest music publishers, including Alfred Publishing, Concordia Publishing House, GIA Publications and Hope Publishing Company. Recording information: chicago Foundry Records, Buffalo Grove, IL (07/2009-08/2009); LnL Recording, Elgin, IL (07/2009-08/2009); Nelson/Nelson Studios, Chicago, IL (07/2009-08/2009); chicago Foundry Records, Buffalo Grove, IL (2009); LnL Recording, Elgin, IL (2009); Nelson/Nelson Studios, Chicago, IL (2009). Photographers: Steve Winton; Steve Jurvetson. Arranger: Matthew Prins. Personnel: Amy Yassinger (vocals). Audio Mixer: Matthew Prins.

Rachmaninoff; 13 Preludes, Op. 32; Variations on a Theme by Corelli; Isle of the Dead Few performers in 20th century classical music are as well-known as Glenn Gould (1932-1982). Only Leonard Bernstein can equal him as a performer whose wit, humor, technique, showmanship and personal quirks are known, and in many cases, admired and loved, by music lovers in general and not just in classical music. This CD compiles the music Gould performed for films, including the 1993 "biography" "Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould" and the 1972 Kurt Vonnegut adaptation "Slaughterhouse Five." From the masterful, mathematical-but-with-heart interpretations of J.S. Bach (both solo and concerto works) to the stark, spare, almost bereaved musings of Richard Strauss' "Funf Klavierstucke," Gould's delicacy and warmth shine with quiet, dignified intensity. These recordings date from the years 1958-1977, and the 20-bit digital remastering procedure gives this disc a rich presence. AT THE MOVIES is highly recommended to Gould fans, film music fans, piano fans (factoid: Gould was an admirer of jazz pianist Bill Evans), and makes a fine introduction for classical music neophytes. Personnel: Glenn Gould (piano, organ); Charles Libove (violin). Recording information: New York, NY (05/01/1958-02/21/1962); Toronto, Ontario, Canada (05/01/1958-02/21/1962).

Rachmaninoff; 13 Preludes, Op. 32; Variations on a Theme by Corelli; Isle of the Dead Recording information: Sofiensaal, Vienna (05/09/1977-05/02/1978). CD Included

Rachmaninoff; 13 Preludes, Op. 32; Variations on a Theme by Corelli; Isle of the Dead  

Rachmaninoff; 13 Preludes, Op. 32; Variations on a Theme by Corelli; Isle of the Dead  

Rachmaninoff; 13 Preludes, Op. 32; Variations on a Theme by Corelli; Isle of the Dead  

Rachmaninoff; 13 Preludes, Op. 32; Variations on a Theme by Corelli; Isle of the Dead Recording information: London, Watford Town Hall (06/1985).

Rachmaninoff; 13 Preludes, Op. 32; Variations on a Theme by Corelli; Isle of the Dead Recording information: Cedernsaal Schloá Kirchheim.