Excellent Critical Response to 'Lost' Australian Recording

Excellent Critical Response to 'Lost' Australian Recording

The issue of John McCabe's 'lost' recording of Australian and American piano music, from 1985, has met with a very positive critical reception. BBC Music Magazine called it '... this superb project ... McCabe's choice and placing of works is typically adroit ... a testament to McCabe's wonderful pianistic artistry ... in short a marvellous, utterly compelling rediscovery.' The American Record Guide wrote particularly of the works :  Sculthorpe's Mountains'   '... sometimes monumental-sounding ideas ...'; Rochberg's Carnival Music  '... a fascinating combination of post-tonal and neo-romantic...'; Wendy Hiscocks'  '..a fresh and unusual contribution to the [Toccata] form. The reviewer was '... particularly excited to hear Barney Childs' Heaven to Clear when Day did Close'.  Classical Music Daily wrote 'This is a disc with a great deal to recommend it for any listener who wants to venture off the well-trodden path. The music is unfamiliar but interesting, full of surprises and variety, and the fine piano-playing is insightful and committed.' Music Web wrote '...The remastering is perfect. I would never have imagined it came from a Dolby cassette. John McCabe's wonderful performances of these works needs no advocate. He brings his usual technical skill, musicianship and immense understanding to all these diverse and ultimately approachable works.' The British Music Society News wrote: 'Mountains is an exciting musical rebirth. It salvages seven truly pioneering and atmospheric piano solos first recorded ... in the mid-eighties ... in intoxicating performances, boasting some dextrous touches in finely-timed finger and pedal work ... thankfully preserves a veritable milestone in solo piano music we can now all enjoy. Musical Opinion also praised the CD, saying it was  '... A most welcome "find" and a further memento of a greatly-gifted musician.'

Monica McCabe