Reviews

Very English … evokes a cold but sunny day in autumn.. both slightly gloomy but also uplifting. The music captures the feel of poetry.

Clarinettist Mitchell constantly exceeds expectations with free-spirited interpretations of contemporary repertoire. Truly special.

This is an artist who can play anything and would probably have little trouble finding some­one to record yet another Mozart Clarinet Concerto with him. Instead, he chose to record the music offered here. Don’t expect appreciation to come immediately. This is not that kind of music. But let it have its time, don’t make assumptions regarding what it should be, and let the music do what it wants to do, to quote Tom Johnson quoting Morton Feldman. The investment in time will pay dividends to anyone who appreciates intriguing new paths to explore.

This avant garde CD features Ian Mitchell, who is one of the leading exponents of contemporary music for clarinet. It’s not an easy album to review as it varies so much over its 55 minutes or so. It’s not an album you can play and relax to but it is interesting and stimulating; you’ve got to approach it in the spirit in which it was made, technically demanding yet suffused with joy at being able to do it.

Divine Art Records continue with their fascinating explorations of the byways of music with this very well played and recorded CD. Soloist Andrzej Grabiec is outstanding. [An] uncommonly interesting programme.

This is an impressive collection of new music [and] one new transcription. The quality of the recording is superb and reveals all the light, shade and colour of these works. The liner-notes, written by the composers, are extremely helpful in giving a concise account of each work. [The orchestra] give an excellent and accomplished performance of all these varied works. I enjoyed every piece, but my discovery has to be Peter Lieuwen’s imaginative and very beautiful Astral Blue.

The results [conductor Krager] obtains from his young people are remarkable, and serve all of these pieces very well. Highly recommended to anyone interested in new repertory.

An attractive and enterprising collection of orchestral works. [Fortmann’s piece] is an attractive symphony, beautifully orchestrated. [Nelson’s Capriccio]. is another most attractive work that is also finely orchestrated. There are some finely written instrumental passages in [Lieuwen’s] lovely work. The Moores Symphony Orchestra under Franz Anton Krager bring some fine results in these often quite challenging works. They are very well recorded. There is a nicely produced booklet with excellent notes, composer details and photographs making this an excellent way to get to know works by these composers.

We’ve been enjoying this new CD.. [The Reeves pieces] could be discordant but are sharply interesting rather than edgy.

The University of Manchester’s music department has become a fertile composing ground, its admirable quartet in residence clearly an inspiration

All the performances are excellent, and the booklet notes by the composer are both informative and personal. I look forward very much to hearing more of Wright’s music and I recommend this disc to anyone with an interest in music that is rooted in a tonal language that is never vapid or sentimental, but often imaginative and always expertly crafted.

[Wright’s] tone colors in the Wind Quintet remind me of autumn leaves that glisten as they fall to earth in the rain. Although this disc is about as full as technically possible, the sound is clear and the music interesting. Above all, it is wonderfully well played.

The CD is an excellent production that combines a judicious selection of chamber works with excellent performances by all the players. The sound quality is ideal and gives the best possible opportunity for listeners to approach these unfamiliar works. The liner-notes are detailed and useful as well as being legible. Christopher Wright’s musical style can easily be categorised as ‘largely tonal with atonal flavourings’. It is never insipid, always displays interest and clear evidence of controlled development. It is approachable, even if occasionally a little challenging. I have found nothing that is not written with consummate skill and not inconsiderable inspiration.

This disc of Wright’s chamber music… is full of concise, carefully and skillfully designed pieces … friendly and unchallenging. The performances suit the music well. Listeners looking for a pleasant divertissement may find something they like here.

The sound is firmly English pastoral in sound ([the composer] lives in Suffolk and you can hear the county’s influence), while sounding modern, i.e. it’s modem music written with an eye on people who like the traditional. While it’s fundamentally accessible, there’s a lot of variation in tone and delivery.

I was struck by the beauty of [Dubery’s] music. He writes very well for the voice, which is not surprising as he spent time as an accom­panist for many singers. He is capable of more than mood-painting; he composes real melodies, some of which stay in the mind after one hearing. [In the Quartet] he has captured a Spanish flavor per­fectly without losing his own identity. The music is frequently gentle, sometimes wild, extremely varied in its mood while still holding together as a whole. And the melodic inspiration is very strong. All of the performances on the disc are intensely committed and well executed. This is a lovely discovery.

David Dubery’s very fine playing is something that must be mentioned, so full of passion. James Gilchrist [is] in fine voice … Adrienne Murray brings her full, beautiful toned voice [to her songs]. Throughout [the] fine quartet one is aware of Dubery’s fine ear for texture and sonorities. The Cavaleri Quartet give a first rate performance with fine ensemble, sensitivity and panache. This new disc came as a real find. Anyone with the slightest interest in English song should snap it up, coupled as it is with a really fine string quartet. The recordings are excellent and there are informative booklet notes from William Ferguson and the composer.

The musical language of [Quarteto Iberico] holds no terrors. In fact, it is ‘intentionally accessible, tonal and impressionistic.’ … [a] vibrant, well constructed, sun-drenched score. It is one of the most delightful ‘modern’ string quartets I have heard in a while. The performance by the singers James Gilchrist and Adrienne Murray are superb. The composer is a remarkably sympathetic pianist and the flautist Michael Cox brings a magic to the two song cycles that include an obbligato. David Dubery writes music that is in the trajectory of all that is best in English song – Ireland, Britten and Finzi. Yet there is an individual element that ensures that his music is never parody or pastiche.

I approached this new release with great anticipation and I am not disappointed…texts are expertly framed and complimented by the music… They are beautifully sung in clear diction by both the charismatic tenor James Gilchrist with his vocal warmth and poetic phrasing, and mezzo-soprano Adrienne Murray whose honeyed tone and characterization also gave such delight on the previous CD. The Cuarteto Iberico is brought vividly to life by the Cavaleri Quartet, an excellent performance that complements the lyricism and vibrant colours of music inspired by the composer’s visits to Spain. These are fine musicians indeed. I loved this quartet from the first hearing and keep coming back to it. I wholeheartedly recommend this well presented and recorded collection.

Mary Dullea plays with the confidence of one fully immersed in the music of our time. Compelling listening … fascinating… a real treat. Dullea’s technical prowess is beyond doubt, topped only by her innate understanding of every piece on this disc. Recommended.