Reviews

In these pieces, Cowie expresses his conviction that music is a biological phenomenon, that music ought to reflect nature. We receive continual surprises, multi-faceted filigree, and material unfolding at independent tempi. Cowie’s language is boldly consistent.

Recommended? Yes. This is music which inquiring listeners and pianists alike should certainly find worth investigation. It helps that Dullea is so attuned to the musical idioms of these composers as also their technical demands.

I was delighted… the interpretation emanates understanding and rhetorical depth.

Three outstanding performers tackling three fine works, and a real opportunity to hear these pieces played to the highest standard. The performance is magnificent and it is difficult to believe that it could be bettered and [is] aided by a brilliant recording. This is well worth investing in.

A modern recording of Ave Maris Stella has long been needed. The impact of Gemini’s performance, in this properly concentrated acoustic environment, is more than enough to explain the high place accorded to the work.

Mary Dullea clearly is in total sympathy with the language of each composer. A fascinating and courageous release… an impressive achievement.

Everything lines up in the plus column, as Cooman has selected some of his best pieces for inclusion here. This is one of the stronger entries in the continuing series of discs devoted to Cooman’s organ music; heartily recommended.

The composer at his most felicitous… fine instrument, and Hartmann is fully the equal of Simmons as a dedicated interpreter of Cooman’s music. You will definitely want to add to your collection; enthusiastically recommended.

Lipkin is no maverick— his music is original and rewarding. This is a great album—the string trio alone is worth the purchase.

Cooman provides a clear statement of the melody early on, followed by piquant, imaginative reworkings that keep the tune recognizable while taking it far afield as well. Erik Simmons is an exemplary performer, and the recorded sound captures the Sonnenorgel very well indeed. This is just the sort of thing that is needed to break the monotony of hearing the same old Christmas tunes trotted out in the same old unimaginative manner. Make this a stocking stuffer for your music-loving friends; cheerily recommended.

Badgerow’s technique is superb… how beautiful is Badgerow’s way with projecting melodic lines from within a texture! A bright, colorful voyage into music inspired by the sights, sounds, and dances of Brazil. Most enjoyable.

Composed in 1975, the instrumental sextet Ave Maris Stella is one of the composer’s greatest achievements. The Gemini Ensemble make this tough, knotty composition … totally compelling.

The performances by the members of Gemini are superbly committed and convey the excitement and timbral beauty of this music in a very impressive manner. Balance and blend is superb and well captured. This first-rate disc is recommended to active listeners with open ears.

Absolutely superb.

The String Quintet in C minor gives you goosebumps before the one-minute mark is even reached… Quartet 2 [is] four movements that hit the soul in a powerful way.

Peter Sheppard Skaerved has performed a valuable service with this release. This is some of the most important and best music written for solo violin of its time. The performances are heartfelt and spontaneous. Very good sound and superb booklet notes.

I knew at the outset that Peter Sheppard Skaerved and Julian Perkins had found the essence of this music and greatly enjoyed playing it. They have a wonderful intimacy and informality. They find things in the music that elude everyone else, and their interpretive decisions invariably feel valid. The intimate, warm recorded sound is perfect for these performances.

A nice compilation of works from Brazil… excellent programming.

The style is modern but accessible, even when crunchy dissonance is involved. The expressive range is wide…music marked by highly imaginative touches.

Delicious, and deliciously done… The performance [of Naboth’s Vineyard] is miraculous, graphic in its depictions and superbly alive. … [Interplay] is superbly effective and brilliantly realized by Turner and Trygstad … [Pastorale] is a deliciously evocative miniature in the English Pastoral tradition… a revealing portrait of a composer whose name should be better known; lovers of English music will not be disappointed.