Rhythm Spike

John Psathas

BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM 2000

Available to DOWNLOAD or as a PRINT-ON-DEMAND CD

Rhythm Spike was the debut release of New Zealand's most internationally renowned composer, John Psathas.

John’s music draws equally on classical, jazz, and rock traditions and is performed by artists from a variety of disciplines, from jazz (Michael Brecker) to contemporary classical (Evelyn Glennie). His most prestigious achievement to date was to compose the music for the opening the 2004 Olympic Games.

Rhythm Spike is an album of rhythmic intensity and poetic introspection, performed by a stellar lineup of NZ and US musicians including the New Zealand String Quartet, Michael Houstoun (piano), Deidre Irons (piano), Dan Poynton (piano), David Downes (guitar), Neil Becker (guitar), and New Juilliard Ensemble members Brian Resnick (drums, percussion, mallets), Stephen Gosling (piano), and David Arend (bass).

Produced by John Psathas
Executive production by Keith Hill
Recorded by Steve Garden, except Abhisheka (Tim Gummer, the Adam Concert Room, Victoria University School of Music, Wellington) and Drum Dances (Andy Grassi, the Hit Factory, New York City)
Mixed by Steve Garden and John Psathas at Garden Shed Music Studio, Auckland

Cover art by Dylan Raethel
Photography by Keith Hill & Tim Gummer
Original design (1999) by Tim Gummer
Revised design (2020) by UnkleFranc
Printing by Studio Q

All tracks composed by John Psathas © 1999
Scores available from www.promethean-editions.com
Neil Becker appears courtesy of Polygram Records

Released: 01 November 1999
Catalogue: RAT-D008

“While this record bears little resemblance to a typical “mainstream” classical release (both in content and presentation), I have no doubt that we shall be hearing a lot more from the composer it so effectively showcases.”

— Neil Horner, Classical Web Review

“Acknowledging the influence of rock, jazz, and his Greek ancestry, the music of John Psathas conveys an almost palpable passion – every work has an urgent sense of having to have been written. At times I’m swept into a frantic roller-coaster ride and taken to a height of exhilaration close to terror. But John is also capable of intense poetic introspection. He speaks with a voice that is his and his alone. ”

— Jack Body, 1999