My first CD, Rapid Approach, released in 2007 on Bacchanale Records, is a disc of unaccompanied works by Bach, Bartok and Augusta Read Thomas. It was basically a two-man project: I can play the violin and pitch in with some design work, but I needed someone who could do absolutely everything else! Luckily I have such a person, Jeremy Young, and the album was in fact his idea from the start.
In 2005, Jeremy heard me play a recital in a private home in Chicago. He immediately thought, as many others now do, that this was the perfect way to hear classical music. From his time recording and promoting country/rock/folk bands in Nashville, he knew the importance of a polished recording and was shocked that I had none to offer. He was sure that if I were interested in doing more live performance, he could make it happen as long as we had something to give that people could take home with them.
We recorded the album over three days in January 2006 at the WFMT Studio 1. It was Jeremy’s equipment and expertise, with assistance from both our wives, Akiko and Heather. After each day’s session we listened (a truly painful experience for those who have not endured it!) to see what we would need to cover again. Finally, after the three days and a ceremonial wine tasting, the production could begin.
First, I knew who I wanted to write the program notes for the Bach and Bartok: Stephen Seleny, a friend from the Mimir Festival in Fort Worth. With his personal connection to Bartok from his youth in Budapest, plus his innate grasp of the trajectory of Western music, he was the perfect person to put our disc into words. Augusta was kind enough to write wonderful notes for each of her four pieces.
We had shot some photos way back in 2005, and though we used some in the booklet, none were deemed just right for the cover. Thus we had another shoot in Buntrock Hall at Symphony Center in Chicago in July 2007. We had decided on a composite photo for the cover, showing me in various stages of “readiness” for performance. So we needed to collect our shots. Jeremy did the shooting, and occasional “flashlight painting” while I posed and walked in very slow motion. I can’t see Buntrock the same way since that day!
I’ll never know all that Jeremy went through to put together all the pieces and turn out a great-sounding disc, but I was only involved near the end. Jeremy worked on the top floor of his home, in a room we called the Bacchus Lounge. In fact there was nothing Bacchanalian about it, unless you’re driven into a frenzy by piles of electronic equipment! While I heard my mistakes over and over in the background, with Jeremy attempting to cover them up, I designed the booklet. Each of us would solicit the other’s advice more frequently as the deadline approached. A week later, 10 boxes arrived at my parents’ home in Kentucky, each with 100 copies of Rapid Approach. We had done it! But who would listen?
If this narrative has you on the edge of your seat, you have several options to get your hands on Rapid Approach: First, you can write to me below, and I’ll collect your money and send you a copy signed to whoever you like! Or, you can visit iTunes and download tracks or the album there. CDBaby is another way to stream the tracks and buy a hard copy of the album. Finally, I highly recommend InstantEncore.com, where you can stream/purchase tracks as well as browse the whole world of live classical performance. You can even check out a PDF of the entire 8-page booklet there.
Finally, check out the Rapid Approach album in the gallery! You’ll see shots from all stages of production. Thanks for listening!
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