Reviews

Works by composers whose music is rarely heard on the same program. Beville contrasts [the moods] especially effectively.

Everything is well-played and attractive… intensity and expressiveness that Hicks brings out with considerable skill. The fine renditions of the major works by Liszt and Ireland are very much the primary attractions here.

A superb introduction to Lynch’s pianistic output. This is a remarkable, and satisfying, disc of Graham Lynch’s engrossing piano music… compositionally fascinating… sometimes ravishing harmonies. Throughout, it is evident that Sanchez enjoys complete resonance with Lynch’s output; there is the most blissful sense of comprehension, of melding even, in these performances.

Gray has opened up a treasure trove of fascinating rarities and little known arrangements that add quite considerably to the relatively modest amount of original piano works from this prolific composer and with his performances of conviction and presence this is well worth the outlay to explore.

The sounds and music evoked will play strongly on the imagination… The performance by Sara Minelli (flute) and Roderick Chadwick (piano) is stunning, beautiful, revelatory, often moving and thoroughly committed, both in creativity and technique.

This is an excellent and well-balanced recital that fully deploys Tom Hick’s multitudinous talents. An exceptionally commanding performance, which balances the dramatic with the intimate. The sound recording is perfect.

Enterprising and marvellously played set. [Gray] is a dramatic pianist… full bloodied and committed approach, aiming for drama, character and energy. Lots to enjoy here and roll on volume 2.

The album opens with a storming performance of West Side Story’s lively America. Entertaining. Strong and powerful playing from Castro, a fun album for the listener.

The disc is a delightful discovery… ideal restorative late night listening. There is quality playing all the way.

I learned a lot from this fascinating CD. The musical language of the whole works hangs together well. Sara Minelli is a virtuoso player with real mastery of avant-garde technique.

A captivating program. It’s easy to hear just why Divine Art is so excited. She’s clearly a talent to watch.

White’s orchestrations are delicate at times – allowing the clarinet to come through when required – but also don’t shy away from full-bodied orchestral tuttis with a depth and resonance that complements the original composers. Scott’s beautiful clarinet sound and assured technique clearly demonstrate why he was wanted by White for the project.

Fascinating and creative music. An interesting and innovative program.

We must be grateful to Antony Gray for having designed this eclectic, original and interesting program, insofar as it paints a varied pianistic portrait of the composer covering several musical fields. His interpretation is warm, involved and attentive to the works’ textures. It sheds additional light on this prolific creator and the diversity of his inspiration.”
Sound: 8.5 Booklet: 10 Repertoire: 9 Interpretation: 9

Contains wit and even a couple of jocular moments. You don’t have to know anything about bird to enjoy it as a piece of music.

Music that is attractive, full of wit and humour, and always atmospheric… beautiful Impressionist works, imaginative and accessible music.

Several items on this CD reveal Robin Stevens to be a very individual and exploratory composer. Stevens makes the instruments sound so different and yet marries them together so well.

Alfonso Soldano’s robust sonority and rock-solid technique are tailor made for Rachmaninov.

Irresistible music, superbly played. Much of Saint-Saëns’ output is cruelly undervalued, so the musical world owes Antony Gray a debt for reminding us that a cornucopia of delights awaits the listener. Unmissable.

Soldano’s arrangements are very good. They don’t go over the top with virtuosic flair, but retain the musical integration of voice and piano. The creative aspect here is how well Soldano builds the complex sounds and voices of a full orchestra using just two hands. This great-sounding recording is well worth hearing.