A mini-interview series for the Pivotal Arc release on Whirlwind Recordings
#16 in the series is producer and audio engineer/tonmeister David Travers-Smith!
David has been an integral part of nearly every recording of mine over the past 20 years. His focus on clear and transparent sounds and attention to detail is remarkable. He is also an ideal collaborator as his calm and engaged demeanour are an asset to any situation. A true tonmeister!
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For Your Consideration
Pivotal Arc (Whirlwind Recordings) was accepted by The Recording Academy for GRAMMY® nomination consideration!
If you are a member of the Academy please consider voting.
It is competing in a number of categories:
• Classical Compendium
• Classical Instrumental Solo – Nathalie Bonin
• Chamber Music Ensemble Performance – Molinari String Quartet
• Contemporary Classical Composition
• Instrumental Composition
• Arrangement, Instrumental or A Capella
• Producer of the Year (Classical)
• Recording Package
All tracks can be streamed on Bandcamp:
https://quinsinnachoff.bandcamp.com/album/pivotal-arc
If you are a member, please consider voting for Pivotal Arc!
And please SHARE.
Out now: Pivotal Arc (Whirlwind Recordings)
Out today, Pivotal Arc (Whirlwind Recordings), a boundary-crossing album of three diverse long-form works conceived as complementary pieces: a Violin Concerto, written for soloist Nathalie Bonin, a String Quartet written for the Quatuor Molinari and the titular large ensemble work featuring bassist Mark Helias, percussionist Satoshi Takeishi and myself on saxophones. Vibraphonist Michael Davidson is also featured along with conductor JC Sanford leading an ensemble of outstanding musicians from Québec.
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Get it here, available in limited edition 180g dark green vinyl, CD & DL:
https://wwr.dj/2DrzZHy
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Woodwinds: Jean-Pierre Zanella, Yvan Belleau, Brent Besner
Brass: Jocelyn Couture, Bill Mahar, David Grott, Robert Ellis
Molinari String Quartet: Olga Ranzenhofer, Antoine Bareil, Frederic Lambert, Pierre-alain Bouvrette
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Tonmeister: David Travers-Smith
Video footage: Preston Beebe
Video production: QN
Recorded at Studios Piccolo
Assistant Engineer: Patrice Pruneau
With thanks to Rene Aube
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Thanks to Albert Chambers and Studio Base Bin
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Album artwork from the collection “Touch base, Arctic Solargraphy” by Udo Prinsen with layout+design by Lee Hutzulak (Leisure Thief)
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A special thank you to the NYC musicians that made a demo of the Violin Concerto in 2014: Ben Kono, Sam Sadigursky, Alden Banta, Dan Urness, Matt Holman, Mike Boschen, Jeff Nelson, Patricia Brennan, Joyce Hammann, Mary Whitaker, Lois Martin and Robert Burkhart.
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A very special thank you to Jim McNeely for his help with the Violin Concerto and teaching over the years.
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Portrait photos by Bo Huang, stylist La Fumiko, artwork Paula Arciniega
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This project was made possible through the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts | Conseil des arts du Canada
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All compositions by Quinsin Nachoff SOCAN Music
ISJAC Article: Reflections in the Looking Glass
Thank you to JC Sanford for inviting me to write this article for the International Society of Jazz Arrangers & Composers (ISJAC)!
This is the first time I have written about my compositional process and my approach to writing for strings, inspirations, and working with longtime collaborator Nathalie Bonin as well as my new friends the Molinari String Quartet.
Included are score samples and audio excerpts from the Violin Concerto and String Quartet from Pivotal Arc, out this Friday (Aug 7) on Whirlwind Recordings.
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Link to the article:
https://isjac.org/artist-blog/quinsin-nachoff-reflections-in-the-looking-glass-the-pursuit-of-a-musical-language-for-strings