Reviews

This is the seventh album from Kenneth Smith and Paul Rhodes on Divine Art, all listed in the booklet. I’ve missed its predecessors but my colleagues have written appreciatively of several of them. I’m pleased to make amends now and hope to catch up with some of the earlier releases. While putting this review together […]

This is Divine and the album is a serious double CD from the flute and piano duo, playing both old pieces (some long unavailable) and new recordings. It features works by British and Irish composers, from the early 18th to the late 20th century. As a collection of works, it’s technical rather than warmingly organic, if you see what we mean, though the quirkiness makes it a nice listen.

These two discs of music from the British Isles for flute and piano reveal a staggering variety of approaches. Kenneth Smith was principal flute of London’s Philharmonia Orchestra for many years, so that should give some idea of his pedigree and stature. All performances are of the highest standard.

This double CD of flute and piano music is a rare treat. One must not get too carried away with the repertoire and ignore the excellent playing by flautist Kenneth Smith and pianist Paul Rhodes. These are stunning performances from first to last. This two CD set is a fine compilation that will prove attractive and essential to all British music enthusiasts and all lovers of flute music.

There can hardly be a more magical-sounding combination than flute and piano as this two CD set amply demonstrates. It also shows how widely ranging and diverse is the musical language of this assemblage of British composers some of whom are hardly known and unfairly neglected. Both Kenneth Smith who is a true wizard on the flute and Paul Rhodes, a equal partner in every way are perfect vehicles through which to show off all that is best in these British compositions for flute and piano. This set is one to cherish and enjoy forever.

The primary value of this program is that the selec­tions are not played often, though all the pieces are published and certainly worth hear­ing. The style of these compositions is straight­forward, tonal, and easily understood. All the interpretation and phrasing is tasteful, exuber­ant, and shows that the two musicians are pre­senting these little-known pieces with as much commitment and artistry as anyone could. Flutists should not hesitate to add anything by Kenneth Smith to their collec­tions.

This double CD set includes a host of major works for flute and piano by some of the most influential composers of the 20th century. These sonatas, sonatinas and suites demonstrate Smith and Rhodes’ usual panache, musicality and virtuosity on their seventh CD for Divine Art.

This two CD set contains some beautiful and highly accessible music. Through Alison Smart and Lesley-Jane Rogers, [the composer] has been introduced to a group of very gifted musicians who seem to have enjoyed learning and recording some of her vocal and chamber music

Vocal music, most of it for two sopranos and piano – a highly effective combination that more composers ought to explore. The piano part in The Siege … sounds almost like the reduction of an orchestral texture …. part of which gives The Siege and Evtho their ritual quality. The essential honesty [of Petridou’s chamber music] and the very want of fluency gives it an innocent charm, not least since it is often very lovely. The performances are sensitive and thoughtful … In a concert, coming between two other composers, Petridou’s atmospheric and thoughtful idiom would offer an attractive alternative. The recorded sound is entirely natural.

In both the songs and the chamber music included in this two-disc set there is a melodic and harmonic language that recalls 18th- or 19th Century European classical traditions, both in terms of musical vocabulary and expressive and dra­matic temperament… with an added Mediter­ranean flavor, presumably owing to the com­poser’s Greek heritage. All of the music is accessible and easy to appreci­ate for its craft and heart-felt expression.

Her music shows a confluence of Eastern and Western elements. The two sopranos have light and pleasant voices and blend together well in their duets. This is heartfelt music, played and sung with conviction. The pathos [of the music] will win over many listeners, and I recommend it accordingly. The booklet gives a good picture of the composer and her times. Other production values, such as recorded sound are also good.

In a sense, this release cleans out the bottom drawers of the Handel keyboard repertoire, giving us music that is not readily available elsewhere. Rowland has completed his six-disc proj­ect, and there is some strong, heroic playing in this final set. He takes all the repeats and uses some enterprising embellishments. The Chaconne in G (422), a 17-minute piece with 62 variations, is remarkably exciting here as the grand conclusion.

Handel is renowned for his operas and orchestral pieces but turned out a large volume of keyboard music, which is largely overlooked. This double CD seeks to address this. Veteran player Rowland is a renowned harpsichordist so the standards are high. He plays crisply and it’s entertaining.

This is a most welcome CD … a compilation that will entertain on all levels.

Altogether this is a warm and generous tribute to one who meant so much to the many who listened to [Hopkins’] words, his music and his wisdom.

This is a superb retrospective of Antony Hopkins’ achievement as a composer but also recognises his talent as a poet. It is well-produced and allows the listener to approach a considerable variety of musical moods, styles and genres. There is a considerable stylistic gulf between the ‘Partita’ and the ‘Tango’. However, both works are suffused with technical skill and sustained interest. The same applies to virtually all the music on these CDs. The performance of all this music is excellent. I will single out the beautiful voice of Lesley-Jane Rogers and the inspired playing of Matthew Jones on the viola for special mention. However all the soloists impressed me. Finally, I have to pay tribute to John Turner. He conceived the project, organised it and plays on a number of tracks. All this reveals his unquenchable enthusiasm and massive musical ability. It is a major achievement.

One of the great popularisers of classical music in the pre-Classic FM generation, Antony Hopkins was a wonderful broadcaster; as this intriguing compilation for his recent 90th birthday reveals, he is also a composer of wit and substance.

A delightful and … long overdue issue commemorating on the most admired figures in classical music in Britain. A wonderful set.

It is as a very versatile and practical composer that [Hopkins] best expresses his musical personality. The four-movement Sonata for viola and piano with which the first disc opens is a case in point: – a significant addition to [the] genre. Both discs form not only a lively portrait of the composer, but also both a sincere tribute and a musical treat in which the enthusiasm of the performers and composers is very evident.

I have been enjoying a celebratory two disc set representing [Antony Hopkins’] output. Discs worth investigating.