Press Recognition in 2012/13 Huw Watkins: In My Craft or Sullen Art “ Lyricism flourishes, and tonal echoes are exposed alongside chromatic scrunches and abrasive textures ... a splendid portrait disc in NMC’s stand of debuts.”
Sam Hayden: presence/absence “ A disc which deserves attention from all inquiring listeners for some seriously impressive music-making.” Gramophone
BBC Music Magazine
Variations for Judith “ Each piece flows from one to the next, abetted by Tan’s mellifluous and caring interpretations. A most enjoyable, enchanting 22 minutes of music, well worth downloading.” Gramophone
Dai Fujikura: Secret Forest “ Exceptionally striking pieces combining mastery of texture and form with a marvellous sense of compositional pacing and gesture. Secret Forest is especially sublime.” SSSSS
BBC Music Magazine
Oliver Knussen: Autumnal “ The performances, several from the artists such as Josefowicz and Claire Booth for whom the works were written, are superb, and much of the music ranks among the finest composed in this country in recent decades.” SSSSS
Andrew Clements, The Guardian
Retorica: English Violin Duos “ Superbly responsive playing by Harriet Mackenzie and Philippa Mo who project the music’s often intricate contrapuntal interweaving with faultless technique and unfailing insight. An auspicious release from Retorica ... I hope that more will follow.” Gramophone
Richard Barrett: Dark Matter “ This is one of the most dazzling displays of contemporary music ever recorded … it practically defies belief to hear Barrett’s music - or indeed, any music - played with such unshakeable conviction and commitment … a masterpiece.” 5:4
Tansy Davies: Spine “ It’s hard to think of another British composer whose rise through the hierarchy of British music has been so rapid ... as this disc shows, her music is at its most compelling when it creates vivid textures, drawing on rock and pop idioms to give it edge and pungency.” The Guardian
New Music 20x12 “ ... a real success story.” Paul Morley, The Review Show on BBC2
Alexander Goehr: Colossos or Panic “ A force to be reckoned with in British music … an impressive musical span, which Knussen energises quite wonderfully.” The Guardian
11