James Matheson Times Alone 180g 45rpm LP (Vinyl)

45rpm 180g Vinyl LP Mastered by Bernie Grundman!

Soprano Laura Strickling and pianist Thomas Sauer perform James Matheson's song cycle Times Alone in live concert. Kiera Duffy originally commissioned Matheson to compose Times Alone but was unable to appear on this recording. Matheson used poems from Antonio Machado while composing Times Alone because of their imaginative and deeply personal observations on spirituality and being.

"Best of all are the cycle of five poems by the Spanish writer Antonio Machado (1875-1939), as translated by Robet Bly. Matheson doesn't merely 'set' the texts - he seems to take ownership of them like a singer-songwriter." - Andrew Quinte, The Absolute Sound

"Strickling impressed with her powerful and expressive voice across a large range, her variety of timbre and character, and playful demeanor embodying lighter moments of this song-cycle." - Classical Scene

"...I have now listened to the whole album ten times in the past four days. And I have to say it is an addictive album with truly great music very well performed and recorded...The songs are great and both the soloist and the pianist are impressive." - Chris Rille, Computer Audiophile

"We recorded Times Along using AKG C-24 mics from Ancona Audio and an Elliot Midwood all vacuum tube microphone preamplifier into our SonoruS ATR12 analog tape recorder using Agfa 468 tape made by BASF and EMTEC supplied by Golden Era. Yarlung designed our interconnects. Power cords were made for us personally by Gary Koh from Genesis Advanced Technologies.

"Laura and Tom performed the song cycle twice during our concert. We chose the best unedited takes of each movement, which is what you hear on this album. The concert left our audience thrilled. We were grateful, as I hope you will be when you hear this magnificent music." - Bob Attiyeh, producer

"...her voice is beautiful in all parts of her register. I especially loved the plummy low notes." - Harry Saltzman, New York Concert Review

"Sauer is mindful of the emotional range, and he produces more color, catching the shifting moods..." - Lee Passarella, Audiophile Audition

"Armed with one of the truest legatos I've ever heard on record..." - Phil Muse, Atlanta

Features:
• 45rpm 180g Vinyl
• Mastering engineers: Steve Hoffman & Bob Attiyeh
• 45rpm Vinyl Mastering: Bernie Grundman
• Made in Germany

Musicians:
Laura Strickling, soprano
Thomas Sauer, piano

Selections:
Side A:
1. I Have Walked Along Many Roads
2. Last Night, As I Was Sleeping
3. Clouds Ripped Open
Side B:
1. The Wind, One Brilliant Day
2. Is My Soul Asleep?

Recorded in Samueli Theater, November 3, 2015