Reviews

The album up today is not totally indispensible. Not that is, unless you are an organ music aficionado. Cooman writes inventive, modern tonal music that follows in the footsteps of the French school of organ composers. There is much to like. The performances and sound leave nothing to be desired. It’s all there. Cooman … is a bright light that shines for us. Organ fans take note! Recommended.

We have four Cooman works that dovetail well with one another, that express a sense of reverence and elation, of very real beauty. Cooman may be the most lyrical composer alive. He certainly moves to the center of such things on this program. It is in every way delightful. The music is impeccably conceived, orchestrated and performed here. Ravishing!

Though Mr. Cooman does not shy away from the occasional piquant harmony where it serves his creative objectives, on the whole this is consonant, melodic music that falls easily on the ear. Cooman’s music is uplifting, inspiring and beautiful to hear, and yet remains fresh and interesting, never approaching the trite. Reflections on the natural world are central to it, as are feelings of calm and happiness, hope, peace and a certain humility that is woven into every bar. In a word, I would describe it as spiritual… superb performances. [Kirk] Trevor leads the distinguished Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra and two splendid soloists grace the performances. I believe you will relish the entire program.

Carson Cooman has ideas, he can orchestrate and knows how his expressive music has to sound. Reliable interpreters and a good recording technology present the music of Cooman in a very good light. He might be a modern romantic, but he gives his music also what I would call an ‘American’ character. There is something very appealing and distinct in the pieces we can hear in this well played and superbly recorded program.

Aiding in the effect of [In Beauty Walking] is soprano Leah Crane, who handles these songs with loving care as she caresses the texts with a warmly burnished voice. These well-performed works do not make too many demands on the listener, but have substance that will reward repeated auditions. The mood of most of the pieces is such that this would be a perfect CD to unwind to after a hard day’s work. Definitely recommended.

If you’ve not heard of [Cooman] and you like modern orchestral music, you should hunt this down. It’s an enjoyable album, and we’ve had it on repeat all week. The sound is never less than approachable and wanders between the very English (Vaughan Williams) and the American (Copland). A fresh, invigorating album, with a crisp, modern sound.

This supremely romantic work combines two features typical of Russian music and of Rimsky-Korsakov: dazzling, colourful orchestration and an interest in the East. After more than thirty years, Anthony Goldstone and Caroline Clemmow can lay claim to be one of the world’s leading piano duos, displaying stunning precision and remarkable musicality.

This top-flight piano twosome conjures scintillating keyboard colours in Scheherazade; Antar is also finely played, and Rimsky’s  ‘Funiculì, funiculà’ arrangement is a riot.

Surely Anthony Goldstone and Caroline Clemmow  are Britain’s finest piano duo. This duo bring a lovely variety of colours and textures in the broader passages, full of atmosphere, conjuring up so much of Rimsky Korsakov’s original orchestral brilliance. There is terrific accuracy here, lovely sweeps of music with a fine authority and panache. Again they bring so many fine moments with lovely colours, textures and rhythmic turns, the music positively glowing at times. There are excellent booklet notes from Anthony Goldstone and, as ever, Divine Art’s production standards are first class with a nicely produced booklet.

[Scheherazade} is a wonderful transcription, in its own way, beautifully written for the piano… this Antar transcription is an excellent piece of work and it is every bit as enjoyable as her husband’s transcription of Scheherazade. Goldstone and Clemmow’s lengthy list of recordings goes from one highlight to the next. These are first-class pianists with technique that never lets the music down, and with enough good taste to let the music be fun and engaging. This, then, is a beautiful CD.

Goldstone and Clemmow offer a tight, colorful performance… , there is a clarity to the piano per­formances that can’t be matched by a full orchestra. The preci­sion of ensemble and clarity of the many orchestral voices are also to be admired. [Neapolitan Song has] some great harmonies; and I can’t imagine a more effective encore piece for two pianists.

With orchestral color stripped away, the piano transcriptions are more revealing of the harmonic skeleton of these works, and lis­teners are likely to encounter previously unnoticed touches of harmonic color. [Scheherazade], rendered with an open texture and incisive attacks, works superbly in the hands of these excellent duo-pianists. [In [In Antar], as in Scheherazade, the playing of Goldstone and Clemmow is very accomplished, sensitive or highly charged as required, with inci­sive attacks and clear, precise articulation. I found this disc very enjoyable and in some ways revealing, and I recommend it to those who, as Goldstone suggests, would like to experience these works in a totally new light.

The level of musicianship and pianism [in Scheherazade] is of the highest order. It’s a really good interpretation, full of excitement, subtlety and power. . As good as Scheherazade is the Goldstone and Clemmow duo are even more spectacular in this sensational arrangement [of Antar]. The sound quality is suitably big-boned and clear. [Neapolitan Song] brings this superb disc to a thrilling conclusion.

Husband-and-wife team Anthony Goldstone and Caroline Clemmow – cast-iron guarantees of superb performances. In its favour, this particular duet arrangement [of Scheherazade] has considerable documentary value. The end result is astonishing. Goldstone and Clemmow are immaculate and infinitely persuasive in [Antar], this its premiere recording, making me re-evaluate a piece I used to consider simply over-repetitive. [Neapolitan Song] is a hugely enjoyable piece (radio stations please note) and a superb way to end an unexpectedly colourful disc.

A well conceived album of early and contemporary music. The album by showing both the modern look-back of contemporary composers and some of the revived works gives you a feel for the impact the rise of Deller and the early music movement had last century. It is an absorbing listen, a nicely performed, even surprising program of affinities and influence. Well-worth hearing and studying in depth!

With such a stellar line-up of distinguished vocalists and instrumentalists a performance of deep understanding and matchless sensitivity is assured. An amazing cast of superb musicians … a wide range of quality music. This is surely a CD which will remain essential listening for many years to come.

An interesting mix of Baroque and contemporary compositions that came to be associated with the late English countertenor Alfred Deller. James Bowman and Robin Blaze display dazzling vocal technique… With its handsome packaging, its extensively researched and excellently written booklet by John Turner and its enticing mix of rare and familiar compositions for voice and recorders this album is a welcome addition to the library of any serious collector.

This disc contains a great deal of variety and the sound of each work is clear and pristine. If you love Baroque music, whether you are old enough to remember Alfred Deller or not, you will want to hear this recording.

An obvious way of remembering Deller would have been to reissue some of his recordings but the producers of the CD have hit on some­thing much more imaginative. The recording commemorates not only Deller himself but two others who were central to the revival of early music in the 40s and 50s; Michael Tippett and Walter Bergmann. The disc is as welcome as it would have been two years ago [the Deller centenary]

Alfred Deller is the focal point in this intriguing selection of music. This interestingly programmed and thoughtfully prepared disc comes with good notes and texts. It salutes Deller’s memory and continuing influence.