Reviews

Bringing together such a terrific group of experienced, and creative musicians as these to this new Rawsthorne project, guarantees that the finished CD would be an excellent addition to the ever-growing catalogue of Rawsthorne recordings available. Alongside the Rawsthorne works, there are also other auditory delights and rarities… this is a fine recording indeed, with a true balance between the Rawsthorne works with the shorter rarities by other composers interspersed.

An album of considerable value. For anyone interested in 20th century British music this is an extremely desirable introduction to one of its still-neglected masters; for Rawsthorne fans, it’s an absolute must.

Chamber music by this imaginative and talented American composer. In all of these works, Fineberg displays a keen ear for sonority, spatial ordering, and structure. The resulting recital makes for an absolutely fascinating listening experience. The renditions of each piece are absolutely convincing. Highly recommended to the adventurous.

Stylistically, the music varies dramatically, sometimes vaguely echoing Prokofiev, at others taking on a Satie-like coolness, at times sounding like an out-take from Bartok’s Mikrokosmos, at others darting over the keyboard like some anonymous post-Webernist [with] a number of vital and delightful pieces. There can be no complaints about the performances or the sound.

This disc may be my favorite among the five Cooman CDs to come within my purview for its repertoire. Once again Erik Simmons is Cooman’s able advocate at the keyboard and pedals, and well recorded. Recommended.

The performances seem excellent, with no lack of commitment or understanding. . He is an intriguing composer and a mystic, and it will be interesting to see what else is uncovered. For now, a thumbs-up.

This is music that is toweringly confident in the avant-garde trails it lays… like Vivaldi but piled to the ceiling with volatility, scorch-marks and danger. The recording is staggeringly complicit in what Trandafilovski has to say and the musicians (who include the composer) seem completely in touch with the music.

Mantas conducts with a light hand giving the music a nice rhythmic springiness throughout. The EU Chamber Orchestra Wind Octet plays with energy as well as a clean line with bright sonorities. All in all, a very fine disc.

A major structure in seven parts across which there are sixteen subdivisions…In keeping with expectations associated with Requiem this work is a grand statement. Its subject matter is as much about Russia, its people and their tragic history as about Christianity and Eternity. Artyomov’s musical language is hard-hitting but not avant-garde.

The Symphony is a haunting and powerful work. The performances are by artists well established in Russia and Eastern Europe and are extremely impressive. I look forward to exploring more Artyomov.

I thoroughly enjoyed the music presented on this CD. For me, the sheer vibrancy of all these numbers, whether joyful or sad, is a revelation. Mariko Terashi impresses throughout and the recording of this wonderful music is splendid, revealing with great clarity all the harmonic, contrapuntal and decorative detail.

I found [Civilisation] a particularly beautiful and absorbing piece of music. The playing by the Kreutzer Quartet is splendid throughout. Linda Merrick brings her undeniable magic to the Liederkreis. I find that this CD presents music that covers a wide-range of emotion and musicality. Whatever one’s response to these works, the listener will feel that they are most definitely in the presence of a ‘Singular Voice’.

A dark, plaintive, tortured work lamenting the plight of the Russian people during the Soviet era. It is at times moving, at times disquieting and disturbing… and has a way of lingering in your mind long after audition.

Do you enjoy difficult crosswords or treatises on quantum mechanics? Then this CD of music by Michael Finnissy could be for you. Are you a serious music student especially with a close interest in the history and technicalities of the string quartet? Then this is an absolute essential! Enjoy the challenges of Finnissy’s vast knowledge of the string quartet repertoire which he exploits in composing the works on this CD.

[A] pretty unique, but interesting conceptual album. Composer and performer work together for one reason and one reason only, a totally individual compositional performance. Mary Dullea does a splendid job of pulling everything together into a complete whole, showing her excellent pianistic skills and creative interpretation. All in all, this is an interesting pianistic album of both power and finesse, and a work which one hopes should have the opportunity of more performances.

Emotional and literally jaw-droppingly good. It’s a meaty and interesting programme.

The album is dedicated to John McCabe, Alan Rawsthorne’s biographer and promoter, with first recordings of works by McCabe’s fellow composers, all ably performed by the soloists and ensembles. Many of these terrific mid-century composers have fallen into neglect. Maybe this album will be a step toward restoration.

A very palatable set of duets for flute and harp. The tone and control of the flute is particularly commendable, and the repertoire is well considered.

Lush, velvet, alternatingly contemplative and impassioned, this set of five pieces written by Carlotta Ferrari for solo organ are high-definition musical portraits that brilliantly capture their subject’s personalities and stories. A performance that is direct, immaculate, and gives such a clear voice to the music itself is essential. And Cooman gives us just that. This set of ears and this heart is incredibly grateful for this work of art and dedication by Ferrari and Cooman.

This is a collection of songs for the festive season although you get year-round value. Celebrating the family is part of Christmas and this is lovely music to do that to.