PRESS
Links to press releases, photos, cover art and more.
Philip Brezina Jason Poss Celia Harris Dren McDonald Emily Onderdonk Tim LIndeen Robin Reynolds
Celia Harris Robin Reynolds Alisa Rose Emily Onderdonk
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Summer Issue, 2014:
"These classical video game arrangements are no gimmick!"
4/16/14:
"Video game music isn’t meant to be a work unto itself, but to guide the player by setting the tone of a scene. Without the game to accompany the tunes, changes to the music have to be made so that they can stand on their own. The new pieces may or may not fit into their original contexts, but on their own, they make for quite a journey as the notes manipulate the listener’s emotions, and they are guided along an invisible track. This isn’t an exercise in nostalgia or recognition, but a journey into new territory."
4/10/14:
Emily Reese discusses The String Arcade with Fred Child during the 2nd hour of this American Public Media radio show
4/10/14:
"...an unforgettable tug on our 8- and 16-bit controllers by the iconic melodies of Link and Sonic. If that’s not art, then I don’t know what is.."
3/8/14:
"It bounces from playful to peaceful to dramatic like a great platformer keeps your hands JUST the right amount sweaty."
3/5/14:
SF Weekly String Arcade Show Preview
If You Like Video Games, You Should Go To This Event
3/4/14:
String Theory to Help Kids Learn Music? (article about The String Arcade and Alameda Music Project)
3/4/14:
"String Arcade Dresses Up Game Music"
2/28/14:
" Il risultato può essere descritto come una reincarnazione sonora, dove l’anima del tema arcade trasmigra in un nuovo corpo, più organico nella struttura e leggiadro nella forma.(The result can be described as a sound reincarnation , where the soul of the theme arcade migrates into a new body , more organic in structure and graceful in form) In Italian"
2/27/14:
"...great arcade/gaming tracks that are an absolute delight to listen to."
2/26/14:
Stephen Smoliar/ examiner classical music critic
" I was particularly delighted with “Engi,” based on the FTL (Faster Than Light) game. This plays out over the steady back-and-forth “ticking” of a minor third (played pizzicato), which comes across almost as a techno parody of the Andante movement from Joseph Haydn’s Hoboken I/101 (“Clock”) symphony."
2/24/14:
"...McDonald and the string quartet bring a new, fresh interpretation to the songs which breathe some new life into the songs themselves, and by extension, add a new level of character to the overall presentation." 5/5
2/24/14:
"...McDonald and the string quartet bring a new, fresh interpretation to the songs which breathe some new life into the songs themselves, and by extension, add a new level of character to the overall presentation."
2/21/14:
Interview w/ Dren, Italian website, interview is in both English and Italian
2/19/14:
"De kracht achter de CD is niet eens dat deze uniek is, maar dat de uitvoering nagenoeg perfect is. (The power behind the CD is not even that it is unique, but the execution is nearly perfect.) Review in Dutch" 5/5
2/19/14:
"If there were any more vindication that game music can sit aside film scores and – yes! – even the classical greats, the lovingly arranged melodies of The String Arcade are proof enough."
2/18/14:
"This is definitely without a doubt one of the best collections of video game music... something that one can only benefit by hearing it for themselves.
2/18/14:
"La cosa interessante, al di là dell’onesta qualità di questi strumentisti, è proprio la maniera in cui i brani sono stati riconcepiti: da un bolero andante, a leggeri ritmi cavalcanti (che rimandano a una certa trilogia del Signore degli Anelli curata da Poss), a momenti di puro adagio che ricordano Arcanum: Of Steamworks And Magick Obscura."
2/18/14:
"When listening, you have a clear idea each song is logically placed to be part of a greater work..."
2/18/14:
The Gamers Lounge: podcast w/ Dren & Jason
"TITANFALL IS OK BUT THE STRING ARCADE IS BETTER"
2/17/14:
2/15/14:
"it draws from an eclectic array of game choices... and the songs that you hear may also not sound exactly like how you remember them."
2/15/14:
"The String Arcade adds a contemporary immediacy to some of the most well-worn and embryonic themes"
2/15/14:
2/15/14:
2/12/14:
"It’s sneaky, and it’s a lot of fun."
2/14/14:
"It begs to be listened to from beginning to end over and over."
2/13/14:
2/12/14:
2/12/14:
RadioSEGA Interview with Dren & Jason
2/11/14:
"I never thought that a song from Plants Vs. Zombies could be such an elegant experience!"
2/11/14:
"The magic of The String Arcade is that even with a lack of familiarity to the source of the work, you will find yourself enjoying the experience the string quartet creates for you."
2/11/14:
"5 STARS"
2/11/14:
"Fans of video game music should not miss out buying The String Arcade."
2/11/14:
"A sophisticated answer to chiptunes"
2/11/14:
A mini review for each song...in French! "Un petit bijou."
2/11/14:
2/11/14:
"The String Arcade narra evolução dos jogos através dos instrumentos de corda"
2/11/14:
2/11/14:
Sticky Trigger Review - 8.5/10!
2/11/14:
"What's really amazing to me is that if you weren't a gamer, I don't think you'd have any idea that the album contained music from games."
2/11/14:
ALL GAMES Interview w/ Dren podcast
2/10/14:
2/10/14:
2/8/14:
Sensical Prattlings: Review of The String Arcade
2/7/14:
Leviathyn: Video Game Music Plucks at Your Heart
2/7/14:
2/7/14:
2/6/14:
String Arcade Featured on Classical Minnesota Public Radio's Top Score
2/6/14:
2/4/14:
2/4/14:
The Issues Guy review "10/10 Simply Awesome!"
2/4/14:
2/2/14:
PushPlay Podcast review of The String Arcade
2/1/14:
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1/31/14:
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1/29/14:
Gaming Chronicles podcast: interview w/ Dren
1/29/14:
1/28/14:
Joystiq: Classic games get classier
1/28/14:
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