Population II - A La O Terre - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

More straightforward than À la Ô Terre, it's predecessor released on Castle Face Records back in 2020, Électrons libres du québec is Population II's sophomore album. On this new effort, produced by Emmanuel Éthier, the three-piece band - made up of singer/drummer Pierre-Luc Gratton, guitarist/keyboardist Tristan Lacombe and bassist Sébastien Provençal - delivers a heavy, psychedelic rock infused with feverish funk rhythms, a hint of jazz philosophy, a burst of early punk energy, and a love of minor scales that harkens back to the roots of heavy metal. With Électrons libres du québec, Population II showcases once again their sharp sense of songcraft and an undeniable expertise in their instruments. This is an album that effortlessly maintains a balance between challenging compositions and instantly memorable melodies.

Early works usually provide information about the origin and first manifestations of a composer's musical personality; Hindemith's works for violoncello and piano written in the years 1917 and 1919/20 are no exception. To be sure the earlier pieces document above all the compositional point of departure - the influences of Reger and Strauss on the texture of the piano writing and harmony are obvious - while the later work already exhibits aspects typical of Hindemith's personal style in the 1920s which caused the composer to be viewed as a notorious musical terror. Julius Berger violoncello / Siegfried Mauser piano.

The Opus Two violin-piano duo presents new arrangements of musical highlights from Stephen Sondheim's brilliant Broadway shows. Arranger Eric Stern reminisces about his work with Sondheim InchI was one of the many lucky ones who got to work with Sondheim and experience close hand his genius, collaborative nature, and inherent kindness.Inch Stern's work with Sondheim included the 1984 revival of Pacific Overtures, conducting Sunday in the Park with George in the second year of it's original run, co-music directing the first production of Into the Woods, conducting productions of Follies, and conducting Merrily We Roll Along at the Kennedy Center. Mr. Stern writes that InchMy last conversation with him was about the Little Night Music suite which you'll find on this album. We are all extremely grateful for his enthusiastic endorsement of the arrangement and performance, muted only by our sorrow that the rest were written after his passing.Inch