Carter, E: Figment No. 2 'Remembering Mr Ives'

“Even had there been more new releases in Elliott Carter's centenary year, this disc from the Johannes Martens Ensemble would rank among the finest.” Gramophone Magazine, January 2009

“Mosaic for harp and ensemble was composed for the Nash Ensemble in 2005, and is a miniature concerto in all but name… There's an irrepressible verve about the writing, as there is about the more astringent 2004 Dialogues for piano and ensemble - the Canadian performers capture it vividly.” BBC Music Magazine, March 2009 ****

“Naxos's second Carter birthday offering concentrates on the later works, only two of which are at all substantial: Dialogues for piano and ensemble, composed for the London Sinfonietta in 2004, and Mosaic for harp and ensemble, written for the Nash Ensemble the following year. They are both typically deft, slightly prickly pieces - Dialogues, in particular, has a musical density that is disguised by its modest dimensions - and the rest of the disc is taken up with a series of the instrumental miniatures Carter has produced over the last two decades, often as birthday offerings for friends and fellow composers. The Canadian performances are all highly accomplished, and the release also includes a DVD containing a filmed interview with Carter, as well as concert performances of Mosaic and Dialogues.” The Guardian, 20th February 2009

Volume Five of Bridge’s ongoing Elliott Carter series contains five premiere recordings, including Carter’s bracing Oboe Quartet of 2001. Performed by many of the leading Carter advocates of our time, this recording is a must for those interested in keeping up with the undimmed imagination and constant creative impulse of this American master, now well into his tenth decade. Also featured on this CD is a new recording of Carter’s song cycle Of Challenge and of Love, performed by the brilliant young American soprano Tony Arnold, the recent first prize winner of the Gaudeamus International competition for interpreters of contemporary music. Rounding out this CD are a series of instrumental miniatures played by dedicatees Virgil Blackwell, Charles Neidich, Ayako Oshima and Fred Sherry. In addition, the pianist Charles Rosen adds on to his earlier (almost) "Complete Piano Music of Carter" CD (BRIDGE 9090) with the Two Diversions, and Retrouvailles.