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Compact Disc Recordings
The Repertoire:
Reviews: "As always, flutist Boland’s sure technique and sweet tone are perfection itself, and her pure intonation on the wooden 11-keyed “simple system” flute of the time is just remarkable. She makes her musical expression with a subtly of dynamics and shading of tone; she does not need the cloying and continuous vibrato used today to gain the audience’s attention. The color and clarity of the higher tuning of the terz guitar gives Dowdall’s tone a quiet yet balanced brilliance that matches the fortepiano nicely and is never lost in the thicker textures. Throughout, fortepianist Bogard holds the works firmly together with great rhythmic vitality, a steadying hand, and flowing and well-directed melodic lines. All the members of the ensemble have grand technique and a cantabile style that allows the listener to set back and bask in this sunny and romantic performance." Jerrold Pritchard, The Flute Network (January, 2008)
Reviews: "The Spillville Variatins is a group-commissioning project almost
dazzling in its simplicity. This project has obviously struck a rich compositional
vein. The composers gathered here rise to the occasion and do justice
to both their honoree [Dvorak] and their performers. One could hardly
imagine, in fact, a collection that keeps its ensemble close while putting
them through such a full range of manoeuvres. From beginning to end, this
collection teases the ear but delivers he kind of musical pay-off that
all light music should strive for." "This the fourth CD released by the Red Cedar Trio (Jan Boland,
flute, David Miller, viola, and John Dowdall, guitar) and their ensemble
playing and the fresh literature they play just gets better and better.
Throughout the entire CD Boland's flute tone is clear, sweet, and lyrical;
her deft shadings of color and nuance, and her eloquent phrase endings
bring out the full potential of her wooden head joint made by master craftsman
Chris Abell. I cannot leave this review without commenting on the warm
tone, impeccable intonation, and sure technique of violist David Miller.
He balances and blends the sound of the flute and guitar so sympathetically
and musically that the ensemble melds into an integrated whole. We would
that all chamber music was played so sensitively and exquisitely. Prominent
and dashing guitar solos reveal John Dowdalls' virtuosic technique through
the characteristic and brilliant figurations. "
The instruments: The Repertoire:
Reviews: "The Red Cedar Trio plays this music with elegance and
ease, never overplaying. They achieve a wonderful balance as an ensemble.
As the melodies bounce around between instruments, each comes to the forefront
with clean, graceful sound. If you want music that will make you smile,
find this disc." " "
The Repertoire:
Reviews: "The second part of this disc can be accurately described as cool. It is all blues-inspired classical music for the duet, solo flute and solo guitar. Jethro Tull eat your heart out when it comes to the solo flute blues piece Fish are Jumping by Robert Dick. Boland's playing gives a cool rhythmic groove with fantastic articulation and bends, and I love the train like harmonics. This piece just sounds like it is a lot of fun to play. In the guitar solo pieces, Dowdall gets a chilled back feel going during his solo pieces of Charlie Byrd. Based on 12 bar patterns he shows off a few cool licks in between a rhythmic blues vamp. I have very much enjoyed this CD. The playing is excellent and expressive. The sound quality is clear and well balanced between the instruments. Both players are tight together with the ensemble and their interpretations are outstanding." John Couch for indie-cds.com, Australia (2006) "The playing
and interpretations by Boland and Dowdall are just stunning in their richness,
clarity, expressiveness, and ensemble. The overall effect is the kind
of brilliance and diversity that holds the listener in thrall." "A new recording
by flutist Jan Boland and guitarist John Dowdall of Red Cedar Chamber
Music is as inspired as the idea that sparked it. Boland's flute billows
like fabric in the wind, with Dowdall's guitar punctuating her lyrical
lines. In Caution to the Wind (get over it), New York composer
Gary Schocker gives breathless and lilting intepretation to Malvina Hoffman's
"Baccanale Frieze." "First-rate music in lovely performances recorded to perfection. ...fine airing. The duo really can swing." John Story, Fanfare (May/June 2004) "I love the recording
and recommend it to all...." "Excellent
ensemble. Both Boland and Dowdall have a warm, pure tone."
Reviews: "Elegant, charming and beautiful are a few terms that could be used to describe this disc. A terrific recording in terms of musical pleasure and performing excellence. The overall sonority...is simply lovely. The performers are obviously totally committed artistically...their ensemble skills are excellent, and their attention to detail is exemplary. The sense of jocularity from all three players in both works is refreshing." "The first impression on hearing this disc is of a mellow and appealing tone-quality and well-balanced texture. The playing is always beautifully phrased and technically flawless -- the intonation problems that beset so many exponents of period instruments are wholly absent here.." "All three performers are top rate; this is an instructive and imaginatively programmed CD." "...music that should please most listeners with its playfulness. Boland's flute, in particular, has a wistful character. This CD will appeal to...anyone who enjoys the small pleasures afforded by chamber music." "A sublime repast. This recording is a plum. Courtly, playful, and plaintive. The superior musicianship of this trio is no surprise." "Elegant. Impeccable historical style...will draw the listener into the intimate ambiance and mood they create. The recording is exceptional in clarity and presence. The pieces are at once charming and profound." "The ear is constantly charmed. Idiomatic flair and affectionate warmth. Interesting performances, and a brace of distinctive, engaging chamber works. Excellent and enterprising ensemble. A keen-edged and diligent performance."
Lent by The Metropolitan Museum of Art for this Project: FLUTES GUITARS
The Repertoire:
"Rare 'Gold' Shines. Boland & Dowdall have a wonderful
knack for leading listeners down the path not taken, and rewarding them
with rare riches from the past. The clarity of the recording, not to mention
the quality of the performing, is excellent. My favorite selection is
the joyful opening dance, 'Tambourin.' It grabbed me every time I pushed
play." "The Bolands handle the flute with remarkable control and finesse, making
some highy expressive music in the process. Dowdall's facile guitar work
offers both sensitive accompaniments and a gentle haunting sound. The
vocal quality of these flutes is quite striking, particularly in such
selections as the Foster melodies." "very expressive. Played with warmth and intimacy." "Flutists and guitarists who are interested in original instruments will
doubtless find this release essential."
Wenceslaus Matiegka (1773-1830), like other musicians of his generation, was drawn to Vienna by the brilliance of its cultural heritage and its vibrant artistic life. When Matiegka arrived in Vienna from his native Czechoslovakia in 1800, the musical genius of Mozart and Beethoven was already firmly woven into the city's cultural fabric. For Matiegka to have any musical impact in this rarefied artistic atmosphere where virtuosic brilliance was expected and genius was not uncommon, he had to possess considerable talents as both a performer and a composer. Reviews: "Matiegka's music is a delightful addition to any classical music
collection, rendered thoughtfully and beautifully on period instruments
by Jan Boland, David Miller and John Dowdall." Rebecca Lindwall, The Gazette (1998) "The performers have placed considerable and appropriate emphasis on historically informed techniques. Their playing leads to an entirely satisfying balance and causes me to recommend this record to a collector seeking to enjoy undemanding but unusual late-Classical repertoire. Sound quality is first class, too." John Hayard-Warbutron, Music & Vision (April, 1999) "Intimate parlor music, warm and friendly, inventive enough to engage the careful listener, but also free of jarring or intrusive noises. .. excellent performances." Robert McColley, Fanfare (1998)
The instruments:
Reviews: "Marvelous. Very convincing interpretation. Impressive for its simplicity and sensitivity." "Rarely have I heard a recording of such elegance and sonic charm. The intonation, phrasing and articulation kept the disc on my player all week."
"A masterpiece. Totally gratifying. A remarkable example of perfect musical understanding."
"One of the best serious recordings of 1988."
"Elegant and charming." "Perfection." "Charming duets, and delicately rendered guitar solos." "Their sounds blend together almost poetically—the recording quality is excellent." "Executed with technical aplomb and a sense of fun." |
Johann
Nepomuk Hummel
Czech-Inspired
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