Reviews

a joyful outburst of invention in a brilliantly scored piece of chamber music… You can’t pin him down in this album. Like his personality, his music was often unpredictable. But also, delightfully imaginative, quirky and uncompromising. Excellent performances from pianist Antony Gray and friends.

Spontaneous, impulsive yet calculated, jaunty and spirited yet deeply reflective. A 20th century composer well worth discovering or at least reacquainting yourself with if he’s already part of your musical vernacular.

..superb album

This recording is a significant attempt to make amends for…neglect and is masterminded…by Antony Gray, who…takes a leading role as pianist on the disc together with a considerable gathering of friends and colleagues who…do Williamson proud.

…his [Lance Hulme] music is full of life and organic. It’s fun…an interesting album, with lots going on.

the playing is always committed and excellent…there is much to like here…worth a listen

As a whole, it’s a showcase for Sherman’s formidable skill; his beautiful tone colour and acrobatic virtuosity…each track so distinctly creates and explores its own soundworld that it rewards listening…

Heather Tuach and Yoko Misumi have really taken their music to heart: they play with amazing passion and commitment. Worth exploring.

The performances are deeply committed and the recording is beyond reproach…This is simply first-rate music superbly performed. It would also be an excellent introduction for any listener who may be timorous about exploring contemporary music.

This disc covering chamber music from over fifty years is…more than welcome as it shows just how wrong has Williamson’s neglect been. Overall the recording is a superb achievement. The technically difficult music receives wholehearted, idiomatic playing from all involved.

compelling and imaginative, and… genuinely original. The evidence at hand shows him [Seán Doherty] to be one of Ireland’s most exciting contemporary composers.

Pianist Antony Gray has assembled a fascinating and enticing issue, generously filled with rarities spanning Williamson’s career. All are impeccably delivered and well worth exploring. 

I have always thought highly of his [Robert Saxton’s] music, and with this…continue to do so.

The performers are marvellous and committed to the vision of the composer…This is a marvellous tribute

As a representative sampling of his chamber writing…these five pieces provide a thorough and thoroughly rewarding account. No commentary on the release would be complete without mentioning the superb performances delivered by his sympathetic interpreters, the Fitzwilliam String Quartet, Burvill, and Small.

The music on The Tyndall Effect is always interesting and…wonderful

Clarisse Teo plays with sensitivity and expression. Her interpretations explore the emotional depths of these works. Highly recommended.

Four contemporary composers with four totally unique approaches to composition. Another fine album by the Kreutzer Quartet.

It is a wonderful idea to combine the virtuosity of the Kreutzer Quartet with the fine talents of students from the Royal Academy in these totally brilliant performances.

In no way is this ‘easy-listening’ music, a first hearing can leave you open mouthed with shock and awe, but with each new listening, you are drawn into music that is not just pictorial but because of its irresistible virtuoso impetus, is brilliantly filmic.