GRETCHEN YANOVER: Bow and Cello

Gretchen Yanover

Bow and Cello

© 2005 Gretchen Yanover (783707041100)

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Gretchen is a beautiful cellist. Using electronics and her cello, she layers multiple melodies together to create a music that is both deep and soothing.

notes

It is one thing to play a musical instrument, and yet another to live that instrument. Gretchen Yanover has been living the cello since she was 10 years old. This passionate obsession has persisted and (to our delight) borne fruit.

Gretchen has played in the Northwest Sinfonietta since 1998, the premier professional chamber orchestra in the Pacific Northwest. She also freelances in various orchestras and ensembles such as the Boise Philharmonic, the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, and the Bellevue Philharmonic. Gretchen has played with many varied string quartets. Outside of the "classical" music realm, Gretchen performs steadily. She has played in KD Lang's orchestra and recorded with Built to Spill, Trwst, the Stares, and Tim Young. She spent a couple years performing and recording with the live drum & bass group, KJ Sawka.

Ms. Yanover now balances performing, teaching, and life at home with her daughter, born August 24, 2006. She teaches strings as well as other music classes at the Northwest School in Seattle and is the head of the music department. She has been bringing music to children in public and private schools since 1998 when she received her teaching certificate and a BA in music at the University of Washington.

Gretchen's first solo release titled Bow and Cello is a beautiful collection of twelve personal compositions and two composed by the late Michael Cava. Of her own compositions, many were born out of Saturday morning improvisations at Lighthouse Roasters cafe in Seattle, where she performed for several years. These pieces have been described as lyrically melodic wanderings over meditative ostinatos. Gretchen began those Saturday mornings with simply bow and cello (acoustic) performing classical pieces. After a time, she brought in her electric cello and a Line 6 loop sampler and began improvising sincere and soothing melodies over samples of cello-lines she created. These improvisations led her to record this lovely work where she further composed these pieces with her acoustic cello. Each track has its own personality and beauty. The full length of the CD is timed at 60 minutes, which lends wonderfully to a massage or meditation session.

Bow and Cello has been featured on Seattle’s “The Beat” radio show on 94.9 KUOW as well as the nationally syndicated “Echoes” radio show on NPR. The CD is currently enjoying a great deal of radio play on 102.1 KDFC in San Francisco. Bow and Cello was chosen as album of the year by the Celebrity Cafe.

reviews

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  • Bow and Cello
    author: Rebecca Sullivan

    I've very much enjoyed this CD. It's more of a New Age, than traditional sound but don't let that dissuade you from listening. Gretchen's ability to touch my emotions has me hooked. It's my new favorite CD.

  • author: tom helton

    Fantastic tone, powerful sound, beautiful cello overdub harmonies. I love the string vibrations of acoustical instruments and especially the tone of the cello.Gretchen plays spiritually and is world class. Take my word for it, this is wonderful.

  • Great cd!
    author: Amanda Burns

    I absolutely fell in love with this cd! It's the first one in a long time I have played all the way through many times!

  • Gretchen's music speaks to the soul!
    author: Iviolet Williams

    This music is peaceful, warm, soulful and beautiful.

  • A beautiful, rich and relaxing CD.
    author: Joan Mathews

    The CD is very relaxing and mellow. I first heard my sister's CD and had to have one of my own. I would highly recommend it to those who like music for meditation.

  • Brilliant avant-garde cellist
    author: Jack Scanlon

    Original, rich, seductive. These are words that come to mind when I think about this CD. My favorite times to listen are on dog walks, or bike rides in the country. My current favorite cut is "Geometry of Dreams."

  • Great mind/body experience
    author: Suzanne G.

    I found this CD to be exactly what I had expected. Soothing and uplifting at the same time. As the Cello resonates so well with the body, I think it will be perfect to add to my sellection of music for my business as a massage therapist.

  • Great CD
    author: Mike B.

    Great cello work by Gretchen Yanover. She does all the instrumentals on the album, dubbing them in. Awesome tone and bow work. I love it!

  • I love this CD and so do my medical patients
    author: Cedar Learner

    I play this CD throughout the acupuncture treatments I provide and it sets a whole mood for myself and the patient. It is wonderfully soothing, and provides the audio space for not only deep contemplation or total relaxation but also has a way of grounding the listener in the here and now. I've listened to it at least a hundred times and I still love every note. I highly recomend this CD.

  • author: Tim Rounds

    Ms.Yanover's playing is remarkably mature and masterful. She explores the entire range of her instrument's voice with a rich exploration of harmony and rhythm. The recording itself is close and warm and pure pleasure, especially for anyone that loves the sound of the cello. Listening to this music takes you into a musical space that is both welcoming and haunting at the same time. This CD is a delightful discovery.

  • rich, sensual, contemplative sounds
    author: Robert Marritz

    Bow and Cello is lovely, haunting music that is subtly spiritual and affirming. It's both astonishing and promising to have such an accomplished debut -- both the composition and the playing -- from one so young. I never grow tired of it.

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