Reviews

[Rainier’s Suite] is played with esprit… David Carhart ably despatches her Five Keyboard pieces and accompanies Bridget Carey in a feeling account of the Viola Sonata

Is it good? To that, a very definite yes… a flurry of virtuosic playing that is fast, lyrical and deeply passionate.

strong narrative

Exemplary performances of interesting music. I’m looking forward to hearing more

The recording is immediate and yet spacious. The performances seem to be to be exemplary, often brilliant. The presentation of this disc is first class

…complex ideas presented with endearing simplicity… fascinating, it’s one of those sound-worlds in which you just have to allow yourself to be absorbed and there’s much pleasure to be had.

It is all exquisite, highly poeticised music that deserves to be heard; Ian Pace’s performances are typically indefatigable

[this disc] may well find favour with more tentative souls, seeking gentler ways of extending their knowledge beyond the standard repertoire. This was, after all, the purpose of much of Josephs’ output.

These pieces are very different from each other… [Pritchard’s] prevailing mood and sound vocabulary is astringent, never music to ‘wallow’ in for old-style sensual satisfaction. The performances, recorded in vivid sound, presumably in association with the composer, are persuasive and this is an intriguing release.

Now that we’re in the new millennium, Pritchard is questioning everything about her own musical assumptions and here are some of the answers, brilliantly performed by members of [Ian] Pace’s Topologies ensemble.

…a very clear Alwynne Pritchard picture.

An enterprising introduction to two young composers, each with something to say and the means to say it with interest and imagination. Thank heavens for small independent labels. There is a wealth of worthy composers whose music deserves wider recognition and accessibility and Metier has contributed to the cause immensely with the release of this recording. Good sound and exemplary performances throughout. An excellent disc well worth exploring. CRITIC’S CHOICE 2001

Performances throughout are excellent.

The courage of some smaller label record companies has my admiration for their readiness to support truly modern music. This is the style of record crucial to aid composers in the uphill struggle.

The courage of some smaller label record companies has my admiration for their readiness to support truly modern music.… This is the style of record crucial to aid composers in the uphill struggle.

The Composers Ensemble perform well throughout and the recording is clear and well produced. The whole CD is a pleasure to listen to, and the compositions must also be a pleasure for the performers to play… this recording is a refreshing change. Jane Wells deserves a large audience for her music and for this CD.

Connolly’s manner is vividly gestural, beautifully coloured, and compellingly fluid.

The Second Sonata for piano, and bass-clarinet study Domination of Black, offer additional proof of the composer in fine form in the seventh decade ****

…his formidable technique dissolves difficulty and urges on us the attention this music deserves.

If you need convincing that so-called ‘complex’ composers live in the real world, you need look no further.