We have limited edition Gulley/Granner Compact Discs for sale. Fall in love with Opera again, or better yet... for the first time. -Benchmark Series No. 1 - Tenor Arias and Duets with Piano Quartet is a new direction for the tenor duo who will be recording more operatic repertoire in the future in addition to the contemporary and pop literature. -The Benchmark Series sets the tone for truly beautiful singing now and in further offerings and No. 1 is a great start that already has people listening. We went for a more studio sound for this recording, but the process was as analogue as anything in a concert hall. In fact, we chose the biggest space in Kansas City so we could capture our voices at the bloom of the sound in the vintage Neumann U67 tube microphones. With new arrangements and a piano quartet to accompany us we have an intimate customized performing group that can give us sublime sustained string sound and when we hit some of the more powerful arias/duets have the piano add the necessary bravura and percussive elements we need to give the music operatic heft. The Benchmark Series is truly meant for listeners. No. 1 is an album for opera lovers and those new to the art-form with both popular arias and some rarely recorded gems. Ah! Vieni Nel Tuo Sangue from Rossinis Otello is one of the most challenging and virtuosic duets in the repertoire. It has crazy fioratura (melismatic runs), high Ds and High Cs that make the spine trill in response to the thrilling sound. I like the duet Pourquoi me reveiller from Massenets Werther for its easy playability. Its like a crossover single youd hear on the radio, but its an actual aria. With two interpolated High C #s and smooth gorgeous legato it is a tasty morsel of goodness, but with a deep achingly emotional center. The recording process was insane. With 12 hours in the studio and one of them being reserved for the aftereffects of a major electrical storm we didnt have time for a phalanx of retakes and overdubs. Many of the tracks are the product of two takes. One for rehearsal and another to make it happen. With our hectic schedule its all the time we had. I was amazed not only by Ben, who recorded Ah, mes amis, made famous by Luciano Pavarotti as the nine high C aria, who recorded this take at the very end of the process, but also the ensemble who pulled together in an incredibly challenging session. Their attention to detail and precision, in addition to their cultivated musicianship was incredible to watch and experience. Im sorry to go on this long, but I have such a proud papa feeling about the record. Its weighty when necessary, but its also light and shimmers. It is at once a studio recording and a classic opera recording with full analogue sound. I think it plays well in the background, but you can also CRANK IT! Ben and I drove around Kansas City in the blazing heat of summer with the windows down blasting Opera to Westport Denizens. I guarantee youll be grinning ear to ear if you do. This is not a Holiday album, but I know your friends and family who love Opera, Classical Music and just Music would love to have this Compact Disc in their permanent collection. gulleygranner/buy
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 16:26:09 +0000