"I'm fully blown away!! What a universe you have there in your soul! I felt like I'd spent a day at the spa after listening to your music!! Wow!!!" -- Mary Ann Hogan "I am 19 years old and you dont expect a lot of young adults to listen to this kind of music, but this is really cool!!! Rock on dude!" -- Naj the Sexy ~~~ Phil Robinson Classical Compositions, Op. 1 Pieces for String Quartet and Piano Composed by: Phil Robinson Performed by: Paul Hedemark and The Lydian String Quartet ~~~ In a stunning departure from his usual brand of earnest storytelling, NY-based singer/songwriter Phil Robinson delivers a compelling set of classical compositions for string quartet and piano. In composing these uncharacteristic pieces, Robinson aims to grow as a musician, by finding out whether or not he's be able to express his personality through instrumental music alone, without relying on lyrics to tell the story. So the usual role models, Bruce Springsteen and Cat Stevens, have been set aside for this experiment-- the touchstones this time around are Beethoven and Bach. But not to worry-- just when it appears that the whole endeavor might collapse under the weight of its own seriousness, Robinson injects enough of his trademark humor and silliness to bring the whole thing back down to earth-- for example, where else would you hear a twelve-bar blues thrown into the middle of a classical string quartet? This is not your father's classical music. The playfulness of the visual gag on the CD cover-- the mock serious birds sitting on the wires resemble musical notes written out on a music staff-- permeates the music itself. A personality is indeed expressed through these compositions, one that keeps finding its way to whimsy, even as it weaves through the constraints and weightiness of classical forms. ~~~ About The Lydian String Quartet: The Lydian String Quartet have been gracing concert stages together all around the world for more than 25 years, including engagements at such esteemed halls as Lincoln Center, Weill Recital Hall, the Kennedy Center and the Library of Congress. Celebrated for their mastery of traditional repertoire (Haydn, Schubert, Beethoven), the Lyds are also known for championing contemporary music by commissioning and recording new works as well, earning them the esteemed Naumburg Award for Chamber Music. The Lydian String Quartet have twice won the Chamber Music America/ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming. Their discography includes over twenty releases, capturing definitive renditions of works by many composers and representing many styles and time periods. Phil Robinson and Roomful of Sky Records are extremely honored to have the Lydian String Quartet appear on this recording.