In April, four-time Grammy nominee violinist Philippe Quint celebrates two milestones – the release of his recording of concertos by Mendelssohn and Bruch, and Beethoven’s Romances Nos. 1 and 2, with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería led by Carlos Miguel Prieto (US release date: April 24) on the Avanticlassic label, as well as the theatrical opening by International Film Circuit of Downtown Express, a new film Quint stars in from multiple Peabody and Emmy Award-winning director David Grubin, produced by Michael Hausman (Brokeback Mountain, Gangs of New York, Amadeus), and co-starring singer-songwriter Nellie McKay (Quad Cinema in NYC, opening April 20). In addition, Quint will give a concert in New York at Joe’s Pub on Monday, April 23 at 7:30pm featuring musical selections from both the album and the film.

Quint’s role in Downtown Express marks the first time that a classical musician has been featured as the lead in an American film. To prepare for the role and further his understanding of the craft, Quint spent three years training intensely with legendary producer and acting instructor Sondra Lee.

“I came to find similarities between my musical training at Juilliard and the craft of theater,” said Quint. “Actors and musicians must both stay in the moment. To be a conscious musician you must listen to your partners, whether you are playing with a symphony orchestra or chamber music ensemble.”

Set in the world of Russian immigrants living in New York City, Downtown Express uses music to explore the clash of old world values against the lure and excitement of a new country. Under the watch of his loving but overbearing father, virtuoso violinist and Juilliard student Sasha (Quint) prepares for a critical recital meant to launch his career. Yet, he is increasingly drawn to the rhythms of the streets of New York, and when he meets singer-songwriter Ramona (McKay), he joins her band, falls in love, and begins to lead a double life, careening frantically between two worlds. As his classical debut nears, Sasha must decide whether to break with his father and forge his own destiny.

Quint’s new album was recorded in August 2011 at Sala Nezahualcóyotl in Mexico City. Quint was most recently nominated for a Grammy in 2009 for his recording of Korngold’s Violin Concerto, also with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería and Prieto. Quint and Prieto, who have worked closely together in numerous performances over the last decade, sought to create an inspired take on these well-known favorites of the violin repertoire.

Of the process, Quint said, “One might feel that recording the Mendelssohn and Bruch Concertos is hardly an innovative idea, which raises the obvious question, ‘Why again?’ The simple answer is this album comes from my heart, with great love and passion for this music and out of a childhood dream to record these works. I have waited a long time before putting these works on record, re-evaluating every note of my interpretation over the years, and making sure that I have something to say about these most perfect, Romantic concertos. After performing them for nearly two decades, the producers at Avanticlassic and I thought that this would be an exciting way to begin our new collaboration.”

This is the first recording Quint has made with the 1708 “Ruby” Antonio Stradivari violin, on loan to him through the generous efforts of The Stradivari Society®.

On Thursday, July 2, 2015, New York-based band Founders will released its debut album, You & Who, featuring original songs and innovative arrangements by members Ben Russell, Brandon Ridenour, and Hamilton Berry, and will be celebrating with an album release concert at Rockwood Music Hall (96 Allen St.) that day at 7pm.

Created in spring 2014, Founders includes some of New York City's most dynamic classical musicians – Ben Russell, violin and vocals; Nathan Schram, viola; Hamilton Berry, cello and vocals; Andrew Roitstein, bass; and Brandon Ridenour, trumpet and piano. The musicians of Founders met through various connections in New York City, several as students at Juilliard. Well before Founders was conceived, they often found themselves writing arrangements for various projects and collaborations. Read about the members: www.foundersmusic.org/members

After realizing they were all part of similar ventures, they decided to form Founders, where they could create the music they wanted to create – from Appalachian folk originals to acoustic explorations of experimental rock – as showcased on You & Who. The title of the album is taken from the opening track, which pays homage to Radiohead’s “You and Whose Army” from the band’s iconic 2001 album Amnesiac.   

Founders seeks to bring classical instruments to a wider audience of music lovers, defying the stereotype that because someone is classically trained, they can’t “rock out.” Although classical instruments are frequently used in the background in rock to support guitars, keyboards, and drums, in Founders classical instruments are the sound of the band, coupled with memorable songs and vocals.

“We love creating new music. The reward always surpasses the risk simply because we have this opportunity to create. As a group, we feel compelled to move and progress in a direction that will positively influence the evolution of music. In the grand scheme of things, we believe it is actually more risky to be traditionalists and seek a ‘safe’ road toward success. Taking a chance is what the creating art is all about. We hope to be a group that can open the minds of future generations of music makers and music lovers.”  — Founders

Track List:

1. “You & Who”
Anyone familiar with Radiohead’s “You and Whose Army” might experience déjà vu with the lyrics of this track, arranged by Brandon Ridenour in a new, rhythmically stunning and driven rendition that never stops rocking.

2. “Blooming”
As the title suggests this nod to nature starts slowly and simply, suddenly explodes into a Nino Rota-like chaos of growth, and eventually matures, as all things do, into a thing of beauty – a blossom.

3. “The Hunt”
Originally written for Ben Russell’s solo album, this tune is a cautionary tale about finding exactly what you are seeking. This version focuses on the impending danger and the unraveling madness of the hunter.

 4. “I’ll Fly Away”
A burst of pure Americana in style and substance, this simple song is about the desire to fly away from being rejected in love. The repetition of the title words are a simple chorus of yearning to leave it all behind, paired with the uncertainty that that is even possible.

5. “JaNe”
A musical memory, this song is an homage to Jared Nathan, a Juilliard colleague who tragically died in a car accident. Even his name is an inspiration; through a musical-alphabetical system, the vowels in Jared Nathan (A E A A), are repeated throughout, resulting in a piece that is neither dark nor sentimental, but surprisingly friendly.

6. “Never”
The opening riff was inspired by the looped fragment at the very end of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, after “A Day in the Life” ends. As composer Hamilton Berry explains, “I always felt like they were saying ‘never could be any other way.’ The other words were just what came out when I hit record and started singing.”

7. “Winter”
The cold, dying and distant feeling of the winter season and its association with romantic disappointment are evoked in this emotionally volatile song. In the same way that a breakup can be both happy and sad, a jaunty waltz with a piccolo trumpet provides a delightful counterpart to the grieving melody of the violin.

8. “Oh My Love”
Written in the style of an Appalachian folk tune, this love song is sung with a permeating drone throughout, providing a meditative journey about a lifelong love.

9. “Motion”
Based on Radiohead’s “Motion Picture Soundtrack” but in the style of the last movement from Messiaen’s Quartet from the End of Time – both contemplating life and death.

10. “Solace”
A meditation that manages to land acoustically between a dream and wakefulness. A thoughtful, introspective track, as the title suggests.