Reviews

Östlund’s style is romantic and impressionist, but with a unique voice that keeps it interesting. This is essentially a concept album… The music moves from one aesthetic environment to the next—from fresh spring waters and moonlit nights to twilit autumn trees and stark winter winds.”

This is a great disc of spectacular performances; Lon¬don Myriad has done a tremendous job here of programming: all of these pieces are classics in their own right.

This is very difficult music per¬formed at a very high level. Byzantine Doxology is a magical and moving piece.

This new release from Divine Art is typically very enjoyable… [a] diverse and variable selection of wind music… excellent introduction to Robin Stevens’ music. I cannot fault the sound quality here and the playing in every case is enthusiastic, committed and technically convincing.

Two of Schubert’s great mature string quartets, which look forward to the heights of the Romantic period, are superbly performed here by the excellent Fitzwilliam String Quartet on period instruments with gut strings. Both Quartets are given compelling, authentic performances.

This work is far from difficult.. seeks to create a mood rather than offering melody. Thoughtful, stark beauty.

[McCabe’s] gifts as interpreter at the keyboard were very much equal to his abilities as composer. It is evident that McCabe delights in this piano music yet never indulges, electing for efficient lines and tasteful embellishment, reflective of both style and substance with accuracy and intellectual rigour.

This is a crisp and capable ensemble… the playing is elegant and the ensemble finds admirable unity of pitch and articulation, no small task among such diverse voices, and they play the spirited small works with great verve. I really like this group.

Considerable learning as well as freshly accessible music. Odyssey dominates the set and could have stood alone. A fine addition to Kakabadse’s Divine Art catalogue.

A nicely balanced program of three vocal works interspersed with three instrumental pieces. What better way than this for a composer to celebrate her eightieth birthday – and a lifetime of creativity! This release is a long overdue recognition of Jennifer Fowler as a major contemporary composer.

All five performances are of top quality. What astonishes me however is that all of the music, and two of the trios in particular, are absolutely outstanding. Dazzling, sparkling, remarkably fine quality.

The musicality is superb and the interest level never drops. The standout participant for me was the narrator Bhasker Patel, whose reading truly brings the words to life and carries you off to the dusty plains and high mountains of northern India.

Schumann’s letter and spirit, amplified by the colors of Murail.

The playing by the Trio Anima Mundi is magnificent throughout. [I] was continually amazed at the brilliant interpretation of this music. Each one of these five ‘trios’ are special and deserve our attention. Outstanding recorded sound.

I imagine neither composer will be especially familiar to most readers/listeners, and this disc provides an intriguing introduction to their work. Unsurprisingly, Morgan and his colleagues perform with excellent conviction and character.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable programme. The musical language is not easy but is totally rewarding and ultimately satisfying. All the pieces are written in a modernist style that is always approachable, interesting and satisfying. All these works are written with skill, strong formal principles, sharp dissonance balancing lyricism, and a rigorous intellectual underpinning. Gemini’s playing of these four remarkable works is first-class. I think that special honours ought to go to Sophie Harris for her extraordinary performance of the Elegy for solo cello.

Grange writes music that is edgy but goes somewhere… what a wonderfully clear mind he has for structure and detail. He doesn’t have just one “voice,” but can vary his approach depending on his mood and what he’s trying to convey. This is an extraordinary CD and a composer to watch!

Amazing… an impeccable production and a masterpiece of interpretation of the magnificent “Odyssey” for choir and harp. I urge you to look for this album and get it as soon as possible.

This double CD of vocal music has an other-worldly feel, the second half of the programme being more traditional in sound. An interesting collection for fans of the human voice.

John McCabe plays some great piano pieces very well.