Reviews

My initial impression was…the pure beauty of Shaw’s voice…all is impeccably tasteful, immaculate

If the music inhabits a somewhat circumscribed sound and emotional world that puts him in good company with others outside the mainstream: and on first acquaintance it is definitely rewarding…This…is contemporary music that comes highly recommended.

The stories are all surprising and hugely entertaining. The accompanying piano music, played with considerable virtuosity and depth of feeling by Anthony Capparelli, takes us back to childhood into that extraordinary dream-world of Celtic imaginings.

…the music itself, expertly crafted, tonal and accessible, has the potential to engage listeners who do not know the composer yet but are willing to open themselves up to a welcome set of new musical experiences.

It is very difficult to find fault with any aspect of this disc, from performance and recording to selection of repertoire. This is absolutely not for clarinetists only…

As with his other recordings, Schliessmann contributes an extensive, thought-provoking essay. Without hesitation I recommend this recording…there are many, many moments all through these pieces that repay careful listenings. This will certainly be my reference recording for all of the works here.

Australian composer John Carmichael…has a phenomenal musical technique, writes wonderful melodies, and his music provides much needed calm…it is wonderful to have on disc such life affirming music. It gives me pleasure and it sounds as though it gave pleasure to the players, too. Life would be better if such music made its way onto the concert platform.

“…this was most welcome…an enjoyable album.”

Christopher Guild has a strong background playing Scottish classical music. And that experience informs his playing here…Guild ensures they’re played with the proper phrasing and rhythmic bounce. Charming, witty, and thought-provoking.

…remarkable sequence of compositions by Michael Finnissy…the programme as a whole is dominated by the arrestingly opulent voice of Lotte Betts-Dean…the persuasive assurance of these performers and their technical assistants is consistently of the highest calibre.

…ear-catching…The music coruscates and sparkles…The recording is splendid, and the performances are clearly formidable…a dazzling, often moving portrayal

The Cheltenham College organ sounds on fine form in this clever compilation of both transcriptions and original organ works.

…this is about the scariest collection of tracks we have ever listened to…an impressive display of the power and flexibility of a church organ

This is a splendid piece of musical archaeology…David Johnson’s work is creative, interesting and satisfying. Christopher Guild has made another major contribution to Scottish classical music.

This has really grown on me…their playing is excellent.

One can surmise that Honma put a great deal of thought, research and practice time into this project, and her most stimulating interpretations provide food for thought.

…as a cycle this is rather good, and one I will return to often. I rather like its unobtrusive intimacy, never detracting from the music itself and Honma’s consistently fine playing of it.

n Glow of Like Seclusion is filled with moments of surprise. They may bring delight or disturbance- or some other excitation that can be experienced though not fully recognized. But every single one is the creation of a composer fully invested in his art. Andreyev continuously pushes himself and his music as far as it will go. It is an amazing album- fresh and provocative and true.

This disc has been a…delight. I knew Thomas Pitfield was a composer…I had no idea that his songs were so interesting, distinctive and attractive. Pitfield was….a fine composer of songs

simply…enjoy the various sounds of flute and piano throughout the CD – the amusing pointillism of the Kandinsky exploration, the foghorn-like evocation of bitterns, the dynamic thunderstorm impression associated with Stonehenge…evoked here is the sense that the “two minds” of Cowie and Chislett are kindred spirits