Music / kammermusik

Saariaho x Koh


Reviews (7)


Classics today

2019

By

By

David Vernier

2019

"If you are a thoughtful, practical, intelligent chooser - as is our soloist here, Jennifer Koh - you make your choices not on what you can play, but rather on what draws you, what compels you, what calls you ... And so it has been in an ongoing relationship/collaboration between Koh and Saariaho - the composer attended Koh's recording of these pieces - in which the violinist revels in Saariaho's brash brushes of color and flagrant flaunting of string technique ... Koh has found music that has uniquely challenged and inspired her, and, because she is an exceptional artist, she is giving us something unique and inspired ... And whether we end up liking the music or not - it's definitely not easy stuff, we know that Koh has taken us to that end honestly, as true as possible to the composer".


MusicWeb international

2019 January

By

By

Gary Higginson

2019 January

"This disc is a very good example of what can happen when a leading modern composer links in with some of the finest of our young(ish) musicians with a particular calling to perform and record challenging contemporary music. The highlighted performer here is Jennifer Koh but she has a wonderful support team ... And this is just what Saariaho's music needs; that is - young performers who are willing to take risks, have the finest of techniques, and tackle music that only repays in time ... This disc is worth exploring and I feel represents the composer fairly for anyone new to her. In addition, as indicated above, we have top performers who execute these demanding scores faultlessly. Top quality recording throughout".


BBC music magazine

2019 February

By

By

Steph Power

2019 February

"When in 2000 violinist Jennifer Koh first encountered the music of Kaija Saariaho, she felt an immediate affinity with her unique synaesthetic soundworld. Since then, the pair have developed a strong creative bond attested by this delicate yet visceral recording. Spanning recent chamber works - two duos and two trios - and the 1994 concerto, Graal théâtre, Koh's grasp of the composer's innter tensions proves both subtle and fiercely virtuosic ... Yet it's Graal théâtre where Koh really takes the breath away ... She spins lines and textures with exquisite refinement and control".


Diapason

2019 mars

By

By

Patrick Szersnovicz

2019 mars


Fono Forum

2016 Februar

By

By

Dirk Wieschollek

2016 Februar

"Der besondere Clou dieser intimen und poetischen kammermusik ist, dass Saariaho hier auf verschiedenste Weise dichterische Vorlagen und Inspirationen integriert und dabei subtile Text- und Lautartikulationen verwendet, die der Flötenstimme beigemischt sind".


Diapason

2016 fevrier

By

By

Pierre Rigaudière

2016 fevrier


BBC music magazine

2016 March

By

By

Hilary Finch

2016 March

"This enriching recital is important both for its expansion of the recorded flute repertoire, and for a deeper understanding of Saariaho herself".