ALL LINKS
Gene & The Strings
COMPOSERS CONCORDANCE RECORDS
Distributed by Naxos
COMCON0091
Release: 8/2/2024
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Sampler
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Composer Gene Pritsker has written over 950 compositions to date. Strings are a big part of his work, this album demonstrates some of Gene’s compsotions that explore the various sounds of string instruments. From solo violin compositions performed by Lara St. John and Machiko Ozawa to string quartets performed by the CompCord String Quartet and Kahlo String Quartet to music for multiple strings including compositions for 3 violin, 5 violins and 2 electric guitars. The album also combines various string sonorities including violin with classical guitar and violin with electric guitar. Two of the composition combine hip-hop with strings. The piece ‘Loss Occupied Part 2’ features an r&b voice, Gene as rapper, track and 5 violins and the composition ‘Loosing All Hope’ is for rapper, string quartet and track. The eclectic nature of Gene’s compositional style can be heard throughout the 16 track album, but the sound of string instruments makes it a cohesive whole.
“Mischief-maker and cultural blender-in-chief, Pritsker is a serious artist, yet much of his work is witty and irreverent.” Anyone can draw a mustache on the Mona Lisa, but few musicians draw it as artistically and creatively as Gene Pritsker.”
- Raymond Tuttle, Fanfare Magazine
’The shape-shifting Gene Pritsker is one of the only composers who continues to break down the barriers that still exist in the sometimes water-tight compartments that industry marketers revel in."
- Raul d'Gama Rose, AllAboutJazz
“Composer Gene Pritsker writes here with all the colors of the musical history rainbow, and this is a very good cross-genre collection of work.”.."This is a wild, eclectic (obviously) mix of music."
- Stephanie Boyd, American RecordGuide
'Intending to make music dangerous again.”
- Sequenza21
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Mixed by Gene Pritsker
Mastered by Ehab Omar
Cover art Kim Pritsker
Recorded at Cossin Studios, Noizepunk Studios
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All music and words written by Gene Pritsker
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1. Iguana
Lara St. John - violin
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2. Ennui (Live)
William Anderson - classical guitar
CompCord String Quartet:
Lynn Bechtold & Funda Cizmecioglu - vioins,
Beth Holub - viola, Molly Aronson - cello
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Neat Suite
3. I. Fast
4. II. Choral
5. III. Finale
Lynn Bechtold, Funda Cizmecioglu, Mark Zaki - violins
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6. Tango In V: Movement I. Vivaldi
Machiko Ozawa - violin
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7. Refugee Blues - 2nd movement (Live)
Mark Whale - violin, Warren Nicholson - classical guitar
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8. ReAbsorbed (Live)
Sabina Torosjan, Russell Kotcher - violins,
Laura Sacks - viola, Luis Mercado - cello
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9. Tango In V: Movement II. Vaughn Williams
Machiko Ozawa - violin
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10. Deal With The Devil (Live)
Kahlo String Quartet:
Manuela Romero Gonzalez, Audrey Lee - Violins,
Freddy Contreras - viola, Francis Carr - Cello (special guest of the Kahlo Quartet)
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11. Loss Occupied Part 1
Lynn Bechtold, Funda Cizmecioglu, Mark Zaki - violins
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12. Loss Occupied Part 2
David Banks - voice, Gene Pritsker - rapper,
Lynn Bechtold, Funda Cizmecioglu, Mark Zaki - violins
13. Tango In V: Movement III. Verdi
Machiko Ozawa - violin
14. In Memory of Joseph Pehrson
Lynn Bechtold - violin, Gene Pritsker - electric guitar
15. Losing All Hope
Gene Pritsker - rapper,
Ara Harutyunyan, Mikhail Bugaev - violins,
Mikhail Bugaev - viola, Philip Everett Hansen - cello
16. In Memory of Sean Satin
Gene Pritsker - guitars
REVIEWS
Fav quotes:
“The album demonstrates Pritsker's profound connection to strings, with an excellent collection of compositions
that emphasize the diversity of stringed instruments.”…
“One of the album's most notable elements is its mix of genres. Pritsker expertly combines classical string arrangements
with contemporary influences like hip-hop and R&B.“…
“These pieces not only demonstrate the versatility of strings but also push
the limits of genre, resulting in a unique listening experience.”…
“Pritsker's work on this album demonstrates his ability to smoothly merge traditional and new sounds.”…
“"Gene & The Strings" is a unified yet eclectic compilation that highlights Pritsker's creative approach to composing.”…
“The album is a must-listen for anybody interested in experiencing the full breadth of what Strings has to offer.”
- Music Ear Shot 8/24
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https://thelittlegarden.co/gene-pritsker-gene-the-strings/
Fav quotes:
“extraordinary versatility and inventive spirit, blending various string sonorities into a cohesive and eclectic musical journey. “…
“this album is a testament to Pritsker’s mastery in exploring the diverse capabilities of string instruments. “…
“Notably, “Loss Occupied Part 2” and “Losing All Hope” push the boundaries by combining hip-hop elements with strings, highlighting Pritsker’s ability to transcend traditional genre confines.”…
“an artistic statement on the limitless possibilities within music, Pritsker’s ability to weave together different styles—whether it’s classical, hip-hop, or beyond—makes “Gene & The Strings” a captivating listen for anyone looking to experience music without boundaries.”…
“For those who appreciate innovative, genre-defying compositions, this album is a must-listen. …”
- The Little Garden
https://www.musicarenagh.com/gene-pritskers-gene-the-strings-where-classical-meets-cool/
Gene Pritsker’s ‘Gene & The Strings’: Where Classical Meets Cool
“an intriguing, deliciously botched culinary experiment in mixing and matching classical and hip-hop, winking toward sonic pandemonium.”…
“The magic of the album is how it puts together what is usually two opposing entities in a harmonious relationship”…
“Pritsker is brilliant in the balance of the sacred and the profane. He picks up chaos with abandon and blurs every boundary of decency in the classic. It was as if a Jackson Pollock was springing to life before one’s very eyes, turbulent, lovely, and totally mesmerizing.”…
“It is truly a testament to music, where it binds us all in a shared experience without genre or style difference, and with which to fashion something truly original.”…
“inherently an album of nostalgia: a nod to times when music appreciated experimentation more than genre, and when the division between high and low art existed in a state of blissful ignorance. “…
- Music Arena GH
https://www.mesmerized.io/gene-pritsker-composes-eclectic-album-gene-the-strings/
“There’s something special in ‘Gene & The Strings’: an expansive and eclectic album, the record invites the listeners to reckon with Gene Pritsker’s all-encompassing compositional style, delving into the many nuances that characterize it. Focusing on strings sections, the American producer exhibits a flair for fast-paced, dynamic motifs, often with a keen eye for experiments and unconventional solutions. …
“a flair for fast-paced, dynamic motifs, often with a keen eye for experiments and unconventional solutions. “…
“Gene Pritsker is also a talented rapper, showcasing his wide-open approach to music. “…
- Mesmerized
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“Honestly, I have never heard a rap song with classical instrumentation it is so avant-garde and it will take you on a trip to another plane of existence, traveling to realms you never knew existed”
“I was very impressed with this album and I’m very certain that I’m now a fan of Gene(a Genehead if you will). His style of making music is just genius and his genre bending skill? I was just stunned at his artistry. Not only is Gene a genius, but he works very well with others, creating his own Justice League or Avengers and through these team-ups, the songs were incredible. His fusion skills are off the chart and he is so ahead of his time. Gene has created his own path and taking his fans and listeners along, he’s very talented, and will take a while for anyone to catch up with him”
- biographyweb
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“The album is a must-listen for anybody interested in experiencing the full breadth of what Strings has to offer.”
“extraordinary versatility and inventive spirit, blending various string sonorities into a cohesive and eclectic musical journey. “…
“this album is a testament to Pritsker’s mastery in exploring the diverse capabilities of string instruments. “…
- The Little Garden 9/24
Gene Pritsker’s ‘Gene & The Strings’: Where Classical Meets Cool
“It is truly a testament to music, where it binds us all in a shared experience without genre or style difference, and with which to fashion something truly original.”… “inherently an album of nostalgia: a nod to times when music appreciated experimentation more than genre, and when the division between high and low art existed in a state of blissful ignorance. “…
“There’s something special in ‘Gene & The Strings’: an expansive and eclectic album, the record invites the listeners to reckon with Gene Pritsker’s all-encompassing compositional style, delving into the many nuances that characterize it. Focusing on strings sections”…
“Gene Pritsker is also a talented rapper, showcasing his wide-open approach to music. “…
“I was very impressed with this album and I’m very certain that I’m now a fan of Gene(a Genehead if you will). His style of making music is just genius and his genre bending skill? I was just stunned at his artistry. Not only is Gene a genius, but he works very well with others, creating his own Justice League or Avengers and through these team-ups, the songs were incredible. His fusion skills are off the chart and he is so ahead of his time. Gene has created his own path and taking his fans and listeners along, he’s very talented, and will take a while for anyone to catch up with him”
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