RECORD KEEPING | Harry Freedman: Genuine Canadiana

By Paul E. Robinson on March 28, 2017

While this is genuine Canadiana, this new release of five orchestral works by the late Harry Freedman has a much wider appeal, not only because of its beauty, but also because of its power.

RECORD KEEPING | Renée Fleming's Distant Light Needs Another Look

By Paul E. Robinson on February 12, 2017

Renée Fleming completes her transition from the opera stage to the recording studio with a CD that shows her very much at her best.

RECORD KEEPING | The Unpredictable Rufus Wainwright

By Paul E. Robinson on June 18, 2016

Multi-talented? No doubt about it. In over his head? Sometimes. Nonetheless, one of the most creative and unpredictable composer-performers in our midst today.

RECORD KEEPING | Ana Sokolović: Folklore Imaginaire / Ensemble Transmission (Naxos)

By Paul E. Robinson on April 9, 2016

Ensemble Transmission performs a collection of composer Ana Sokolovic best works, including three world premiere recordings.

RECORD KEEPING | Montreal Symphony Orchestra: Saint-Saëns/Moussa/Saariaho

By Paul E. Robinson on February 20, 2016

A review of the inaugural concert of the Grand Orgue Pierre-Béique at Maison symphonique de Montréal, which features the great organists Oliver Latry and Jean-Willy Kunz alongside the MSO and Kent Nagano.

CD REVIEW | Gryphon Trio Struggles to Catch Fire With New CD of Canadian Music

By Paul E. Robinson on June 22, 2015

Gryphon Trio brings together four Canadian works in world premiere recordings in "Elements Eternal."

CD REVIEW | Distilling the Spaces Between Carthage and Rome

By Jay Caron on January 28, 2015

I am always skeptical of what I would call “fusion” composition; I would briefly describe this as taking the harmonic language, rhythms, or instruments of some non-western culture, or the elements of a popular music genre, and unceremoniously shoving them into the context of western art music. This could perhaps be analogized as mixing water and oil; things that are, on their own, valuable, but which resist amalgamation. The result can often leave me wondering whether greater care could have been taken to present each separate element in its best light. It is a technique dangerously prone to superficiality...

Album review: Jocelyn Morlock’s poisonous, magnetic, and radioactive Cobalt

By Michael Vincent on March 19, 2014

Andrew Staniland wins 2014 Harry Freedman Recording Award

By Michael Vincent on February 28, 2014

Album review: Jean-Baptiste Robin brings out the full glory of the American symphonic pipe organ

By John Terauds on January 28, 2014