Frank Almond and Tom Strini
Frank Almond
Violinist Frank Almond is the concertmaster of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, director of the Frankly Music chamber series and a soloist and recitalist with international credits. He plays the magnificent Lipinski Stradivarius. Frank generously agreed to play “What Child Is This?” with TCD Culture Editor Tom Strini for the 12 Songs Holiday Project.It’s not as far-fetched as it seems. Strini, who also wrote the arrangement, has a B.Mus. in Theory and Composition and a master’s in classical guitar. For Strini, getting to play music with Frank Almond is the greatest Christmas present ever. —Tom Strini
“What Child is This?” (right-click to download)
Our dear friend Dwellephant made CD cover art just for you, too. Download the front and back (right-click and save).
Tom Strini, my and Karri’s hero, is a delight to watch, as is his accompanist. (Mr. Almond thanks for participating.) Merry Christmas to all. Keep bringing us the great content.
Thanks for the comment, Tim. Merry Christmas to you, Karri and the clan. — Tom
WONDERFUL! Great (!) to hear and see you and Frank, Stas, Philomusica, et al. Had dinner on Monday night with Maryellen Gleason & husband Kim Ohlemeyer (here in Phoenix). Mark Hanson had huge shoes to fill, but you’re going to be v-e-r-y pleased from the first time you meet them. Once again, Milwaukee scores in the arts! I definitely miss Frankly Music & the MSO, but will be back in May or as soon as the glacier melts. Dave Swanson
Frank Almond’s tone reminds me of the throaty forthrightness of Elizabethan dialect
Tom Strini’s warm, loving tones are sustained beautifully to the mic. Interesting, that Strini sounds close-up and Almond sounds more projecting as if singing the tune out in the open air, two different virtual awarenesses of the music successfully combined. this is like the postscript to the coda of a lifetime in music, just before the camera fades out.
now I’d like to challenge them to demonstrate this reversal:
Strini to play a dry, unsustained guitar, Almond to play near the bridge with no dynamic change whatsoever in held tones–very plainly, tempo increase by +0.25%.
here’s a second challenge:
Strini to strum the melody, Almond to pluck the accompaniment