Natalia Paruz
In addition to being a master musical saw player, Natalia also plays a variety of other unusual instruments such as
36 pitched Austrian cow-bells, 25 pitched American cow-bells and English handbells.
Here's what some are saying about Natalia:
Zubin Mehta, conductor of the Israel Philharmonic has said:
"Natalia is the best saw player I've ever worked with."
Garrison Keillor, of A Prairie Home Companion has called her
"Our official musical saw player."
"Amazing and quite musical in the expressiveness she was able to get from a tableful of bells. Brava!" said William Bolcom, Pulitzer Prize winning composer.
Peter Schickele (aka PDQ Bach) said:
"Natalia Paruz not only plays the saw beautifully (the idea of playing a carpenter's saw seems funny, but the sound itself is haunting), she's also a terrific musician. This recording displays the carols in new and refreshing settings."
Natalia Paruz has performed with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Zubin Mehta, with the Westchester Philharmonic Orchestra and with PDQ Bach composer Peter Schickele at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. Television appearances include Good Day New York, Good Morning America, The Vicki Lawrence Show, Fox After Breakfast, Oddville (MTV), Behind the Music (VH1), Over The Edge (CBS), and others.
Radio performances include NPR's A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor and WBAI.
Ms. Paruz is the recipient of many awards for her musical activities, including a citation of honor from the New York City Council and a medal of honor from the mayor of the Maisons-Alfort region in Paris, France, and was chosen by Time Out New York and by the Village Voice for the Best of New York list.
Ms. Paruz has recorded on Capitol Records, Universal Records and Atlantic Records with such artists as John Hiatt. Her musical saw can be heard on television commercials for such products as Volvo, Motorola and California cheese.
Natalia is excited about presenting Scott Munson's new and inventive arrangements of old Christmas favorites in this album, and is pleased to introduce a new Christmas carol, 'Christmas Morning' (track #9), composed and arranged by Scott Munson.
Here is what some newspapers have written about Natalia:
"...This being vaudeville, there was also a musical saw number, soothingly performed by Natalia Paruz." - The New York Times
"...A pretty gal playing beautiful music. " - New York Post
"...Natalia plays as seriously, intently and confidently as if she were the first violinist for a philharmonic orchestra. " - The Resident
"...Natalia Paruz: the Israeli master of the musical saw... is an attraction. She is talented and serious about her message." - The Jewish Post
"...She seems to be offering something more than music," said Roby Chavez, a reporter for Channel 11 news..."she's radiating that energy about what her life is about. It's a very mystical sound." - Astoria Times
"...Saw music carries a long, proud tradition. This beautiful, young Israeli woman cut, or rather played, her way to the top of the saw heap some time ago." - Salt Lake City Weekly
"...a cut above her peers!" - The Journal News
"...Natalia Paruz, Master of the musical saw..." - The Jug Band Rag
"...acclaimed musician...featured artist Natalia Paruz is a master of the musical saw... " - Overtones
Praise from people around the world who have already purchased this CD:
Hi Natalia,
You're really unique, your playing stands out a mile from everyone else - there's real poetry to your sound.
congratulations on a lovely CD.
Kev H.
London, England
Dear Scott,
(Scott Munson is the orchestrator and arranger)
Words cannot express my admiration for the newly released disc of Christmas songs. I feel that an artist's highest aspiration is to be the Master of substances - and that I may say - you did achieve. It is the arrangement mastery of Bach and Handel which is evoked by your music. Christian tunes get a unique chance to be presented in their deep and very real context - that of agony, despair, darkness but also an uplifting, almost magical power leaning upon the light of God and man.
Eyal B.
Israel
Hello Natalia,
Still paying your CD a lot, even though a bit out of season.
Erik G.
Denmark
Hi,
What you do is amazing! The sound is so otherworldly, celestial, and angelic.
Karen B.
NY, USA
Dear Ms. Paruz,
I saw your performance at the PDQ Bach concert at Avery Fisher Hall and was pleasantly surprised. I had no idea a saw could produce such a beautiful sound. I thought your performance was excellent.
Stuart S.
NY, USA
Hi Natalia!
I was very impressed of the lovely music you played!
Anja S.
Hamburg, Germany
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