Customer Reviews

Paul Moravec: Tempest Fantasy

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a fantastic recording of one of the finest chamber music additions to the repertoire in recent years! Awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 2004, Moravec's Tempest Fantasy has many wonderful aspects which will apeal to any lover of classical music. Having studied the piece with the composer at the Aspen Music Festival in 2005 (as a clarinetist), and having performed it myself multiple times, I can say first hand from knowing the composer and his intentions regarding the work that this premiere recording has set the bench mark very high!

Paul Moravec has created here a recital of works both honourable and true which, upon repeated listenings, continue to reveal new felicities. Moravec has the craft to conceal his craft, a skill often under-rated.

The performances on this disc are uniformly superb, the sound quality is excellent, the program notes good. I recommend it to all serious music lovers.

Moravec's Tempest is a wonderfully depictive romp through Shakespeare. He distills each character represented to their essence and delivers a broad range of emotion, some subtle, some overt. The trio plays marvelously, and is able to communicate Moravec's intentions with great sensitivity. No question, this piece deserved the Pulitzer last year, and this performance is also worthy of a similarly prestigious award.

Bravo to Paul Moravec and Trio Solisti for an outstanding disc! The music and performances are extremely exciting and musical! The Tempest Fantasy stands out as a wonderful experience for the listener as the music is extremely visual, instantly transporting the listener to the exciting world of the Tempest. Above all however the music is is touching and extremely moving which is, at least in this reviewers humble opinion, the ultimate purpose of all music! Highly Recommended!

I heard this music broadcast over public radio, and fell in love with it on the first hearing. When the recording came out, I bought it immediately. It was just as lovely, as passionate, as I remembered. I would recommend this music to anyone who likes music that is thoughtful, romantic, beautiful, and exciting.

It is indeed refreshing to hear music that soars above the tiresome "isms" of the day.
Paul Moravec has given us flawlessly argued, meticulously written, deeply felt, and authentically American music, that appeals to both listener and performer, as evidenced by these buoyant, virtuosic recordings. In Trio Solisti and David Krakauer, clearly the sum AND the parts are equally superb - this record sizzles with stunning musicianship. It's a must have for anyone with an interest in not only hearing, but enjoying new music.

John Musto

The complexity, spectacular virtuosity, coupled with beauty and lyricism of Paul Moravec's music is just stunning. He's quite simply, amazing, as are the performances. The playing is just off the scale. What incredible music. And beautifully recorded too!

This is a first-rate program of chamber works by a composer well-deserving of wider recognition. Working in a clear and fresh harmonic idiom, Moravec commands a wide range of expressive types: the music is by turns passionate or witty, somber or brilliant. Beautifully conceived for the instruments, this is music with immediate appeal, but also the depth to reward repeated listenings. The performances are superb, and the recorded sound is exceptionally fine, warm and rich but clear.

This is an album that restores one's faith in music making. Exciting, vibrant music, spectacularly played. Paul Moravec, one of America's most prominent New Tonalist composers, shows with this release that his Pulitzer Prize was fully deserved. Bravo to all involved in this recording.

When Columbia University announced it would no long award the Pullitzer Prize in Music to "classical" composers it was clear that their criteria was finally recognized as bankrupt. This follows the awarding of the last prize to a virtual unknown - Moravec - whose bland and tired music is truly fury signifying nothing. Lots of skill here - both composer and performers - but nothing to say.