Reviews

Idiomatically conceived, these motets traverse a variety of liturgical techniques with a concentration and lucidity that compel admiration.

Play these substantial choral works to unsuspecting listeners, and few would identify the composer. Michael Finnissy is associated with a rhythmically complex, rebarbative style – torrential volleys of notes in his writing for piano, layers of texture in his orchestral pieces – but the starting point for the 1991 Sacred Motets is plain-chant, and modal […]

Their tone is unequivocally influenced—permeated, in fact—by the soundworld of chant, not just Gregorian but also alluding to the more varied melodies found in Ambrosian chant, with one or two elements of folk music as well. As they progress, the initial ostensible similarities to conventional ecclesiastical chant become more and more implausible, Finnissy’s writing somehow encapsulating austerity alongside deeply heartfelt, emotional word-painting. The performances, by the nine-strong Voces Sacrae directed by Judy Martin, are utterly spellbinding, a recording from the late ’90s that still sounds incredibly vivid.

This Metier recording offers a crystal clear production. The voices penetrate the ear with an ambience and clarity that easily transforms the listener from the present to a Renaissance Burgundian court. Undoubtedly great value for money at a mid-price range.

This is a fascinating CD of contemporary music by a composer at the cutting edge of his art. Here is music of penetrating intellectual achievement from a mind capable of using music to realise complex musical concepts with crystalline three-dimensional clarity. Wonderful value and I highly recommend it.

You get the firm impression of a composer with an acute sensitivity to intervals and timbres, and the imagination – not just the skills – to transform his materials into compelling musical forms. There’s a strong roster of players here. Performance ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Sound ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The impressive soprano Alison Smart, of the BBC Singers, makes her recorded debut as a recitalist, accompanied by Katharine Durran (whose complete Bach Toccatas is available on MSVCD CD2001). They offer an interesting selection of songs, often with a folkish flavour.

Alison Smart… shows that she has a fine range of expressiveness. She is ably supported by Katharine Durran. Metier’s sound is admirably clear.

Interesting that all three of these serious works have an Eastern European leaning amid a rooted tonality spiced with dissonance.

First class…I should not underestimate Steven Neugarten. An admirable visiting card for a young pianist of real interpretative gifts

First class… an admirable visiting card for a young pianist of real interpretative gifts… a distinguished debut recording

Finnissy reinvests folk tunes with the musical equivalent of a complex psychology; his transcriptions countervail against the cosy, sanitised, skipping-round-the-maypole version of rural life in bygone days that organisations such as English Heritage promote.

Finnissy has a refreshingly inauthentic approach to traditional sources, redefining their harmonic and rhythmic qualities in his often virtuoso pianism.

a programme of subtle and absorbing sounds. Michael Finnissy’s piano style…[transforms] folkish melodies into evocative vistas of colour.

This is a sublime and vigorously enthralling disc of folk-inspired works from one of the most important living composers… the beauty of the playing and the music are never in doubt. CRITICS’ CHOICE 1998

This is the first of several Finnissy discs planned by Metier and a fair taster of his sound-world and aesthetic outlook.

[Folklore II] is elusive music, and the other folk-based pieces are useful primers for the greater sophistication and subtlety of the larger works.

Often euphonious music – an ideal introduction to one of Britain’s most important avant-gardists.

This second impressive Finnissy disc from Metier includes most of his music for string quartet, though since he is much given to what Grainger called “elastic scoring” – an approach allowing a piece to be performed by different groupings – it is hard to make a definitive list. The first item, Plain Harmony (1993), is […]

This is rather special. If variety is the spice of life, then this disc is hot. And so are the Kreutzer Quartet, whose commitment and spirit make this demanding music sound clear, fluent and gritty. A must for anyone interested in new music, or in the evolution of the string quartet as a genre.