 |
A Night at the Opera
A Night at the Opera is a compilation of opera potpourris and fantasies from the nineteenth century. Read should receive four (stars) for his innovative programming alone, but when combined with such confident and tasteful playing, (both of Read's latest CD's) receive our highest recommendations.
'In these performances he strikes a perfect balance between brilliant acrobatics and pure song.
----Double Reed International Journal, 1992
Artists: Jesse Read, Bassoon
[ read review ]
[ purchase ]
|
 |
Age of Elegance in the American West
Elegant, elegant, elegant!
--Double Reed International Journal, 1991
The Biggs - Dutton rendition of Stephen Foster's 'Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair' is as beautifully romantic as any ever recorded.
--The Robesonian
Artists: Beverly Biggs, Fortepiano
David Dutton, Oboe
[ read review ]
[ purchase ]
|
 |
Christmas with Biggs and Dutton
This CD is full of gems to satisfy all . . .
The CD opens with Tambourins by LeClair and gives Dutton a chance to show off his vibrant and solid technique . . . David and Beverly's playing are equally impressive in the lyrical performances of such works as the Sinfonia from Cantata No. 156 by Bach, followed by a beautiful interpretation of an Arioso by the rococo composer Fiocco. Soprano Ann Fennessy, whose beautiful voice has always impressed me, adds some gorgeous interpretations of both well-known and unfamiliar carols.
Much of the CD was recorded in the Oysterville Church on the Long Beach peninsula in south-western Washington state, which was built in 1892. The acoustics are perfect for recording, with just the right balance between presence and distance to the sound. In the program notes David Dutton describes the experience of recording there:
With only a lamp and one small stand light, recording at night in the darkness of the historical Oysterville Church was a very special experience for us. As I sat there . . . with the wind blowing gently across Willapa Bay towards the church, the magic of the moment and place transformed the time. I could not help wishing that all our friends could be there to share that moment with us.
The final rendition of Silent Night by Biggs and Dutton does indeed capture that moment about as well as a recording ever can. This is a beautiful CD and I recommend it strongly to you.
----Double Reed International Journal, 1995
Artists: Beverly Biggs, Fortepiano and Harpsichord
David Dutton, Oboe
[ read review ]
[ purchase ]
|
 |
Corno Dulciana
Corno Dulciana presents the entire extant repertoire for two horns and bassoon. . . the disc really delivers. . . you'll be amazed at the tonal beauty and blend achieved by (bassoonist Jesse) Read and his colleagues from Vancouver, hornists Martin Hackleman and Dawn Haylett.
'Congratulations again to Jesse Read for braving the library and bringing back to life these neglected and wonderful works. Bravo also to B&D Recordings for providing the hardware for all of us to enjoy the fruit of Read's labors.'
----Double Reed International Journal, 1992
Artists: Martin Hackleman & Dawn Haylett, Horns
Jesse Read, Bassoon
[ read review ]
[ purchase ]
|
 |
Gioachino Rossini, La Cenerentola
Since the beginning of notated music, composers and performers have borrowed, copied, and arranged music of their own composition, as well as works of others. The main figures of the baroque--Bach, Handel, and Telemann--reused and recomposed their own music as well as "borrowed" that of other respected composers. In this spirit, we have undertaken a multi-year project to bring to the music world an arrangement of one of Rossini's most famous operas -- La Cenerentola, or Cinderella as it is known in English.
Winter 2004 edition
Bassoon CD Reviews
Ronald Klimko, McCall, Idaho, reviewer
Gioacchino Rossini: La Cenerentola (World Premiere Recording).
David Dutton, oboe; William Davis, bassoon; Beverly Biggs, ortepiano.
Bravura Discs CD 108
This is a world premiere recording of Rossini's operatic version of the Cinderella story transcribed for double reed trio and played masterfully here by Dave Dutton, Bill Davis and Bev Biggs. According to the program notes, this project, which took many years to bring to fruition, is in the tradition of the French school of the nineteenth century, where it was common to adapt operas by such composers as Rossini and Donizetti for double reed trio.
The delight here is that the story is easy to follow, with the oboe taking the role of Cinderella and the bassoon the Prince, even without a word being sung. The story, though changed from the most well-known one, (retains) the basic plot. The glass slippers are replaced by a pair of matching bracelets, one of which Cinderella gives to the Prince at the masked ball. And as in the original story, everything works out happily in the end.
The delightful music of Rossini shows through in all its glory in this recording. All three performers are "on top" of their "game", especially oboist Dave Dutton, who plays with a warm, expressive quality and with particularly sensitive dynamic contrast throughout. Equally sensitive and technically sparkling is bassoonist Bill Davis' playing . . .The recording technique is also generally well done. The 1840 fortepiano adds an archaic touch to the performance although it sounds a bit distant compared to the modern oboe and bassoon.
Despite these minor distractions, this is a delightful recording and a pleasure to hear. I recommend it strongly to you both as a recording and perhaps, as the music comes available from B&D, as a possible interesting project for you and your oboist colleague in the future.
Artists: Beverly Biggs, Fortepiano; William David, Bassoon; David Dutton, Oboe
[ read review ]
[ purchase ]
|
 |
Musette--French Baroque Favorites
The playing from both Dutton and Biggs is fluent, musically varied, and stylish throughout, showing expert command of such niceties as notes inegales, embellishment, and the lilt of French syntax in general. Three dance movements from Rameau's 1724 collection of Pieces de Clavecin make an effective timbral contrast to the rest of the album. Beverly Biggs' playing here virtually defines the qualities of the French clavecin school: elegance, fire, rubato, poise, and wonderful variety of touch.
----Double Reed International Journal, 1992
The Musette is a wild little axe. I can't believe how well you control it. Your playing is incredibly elegant, the ornaments mercurial, and your phrasing inspired.
----Paul McCandless
Excellent performances - the oboe playing is very suave, highly nuanced, and with beautiful tone quality. The virtuosity of the Folia variations is very well done, so much so that the music flows without conscious virtuosity. You have obviously achieved a fine ensemble and the give-and-take of the duo is one of the pleasures of the recording. You are to be congratulated on a considerable success!
----George Houle, Stanford University
Artists: Beverly Biggs, Harpsichord
David Dutton, Oboe & Musette
[ read review ]
[ purchase ]
|
 |
Parisian Nights
Parisian Nights. . . features Beverly Biggs, fortepiano, William Davis, bassoon, and David Dutton, oboe. The recording includes six pieces by 19th century composers and arrangers, several of whom are today famous for their contributions to the double reed literature. Nevertheless, these compositions and arrangements have been neglected, and several are presented here for the first time. Among these double reed gems are arrangements by Charles-Louis Triebert, Eugene Jancourt, and Henri Brod, based on selections from Rossini's L'Italiana in Algieri and Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor. Original compositions by Phillipe Gattermann, Eugene Jancourt and Henri Brod complete the selections.
It is a joy to hear the clarity and fine balance of bassoon and oboe combined with the fortepiano. The woodwind instruments are supported and encouraged by the keyboard without being texturally dominated at any point. The sensitivity of Biggs' approach to accompanying this literature contributes further to this fine blend. As a result, small details of phrasing and dynamic nuances emerge distinctly throughout the recording.
The woodwind performers capture the operatic character of these works with an engaging verve. Davis and Dutton display graceful, yet expressive, lyricism in both virtuosic and rhapsodic portions of these works. A shared smoothness and homogeneity of tone overlay each presentation.
----Georgia Peeples, The University of Akron
The works featured on Parisian Nights are somewhat virtuosic, utterly charming. The seeming ease with which they are performed reflects the technical mastery of Biggs, Davis and Dutton.
----NACWPI Journal, Winter 1994-1995
Parisian Nights is a delightful collection of opera-inspired works dating from 19th century Paris. The playing by all three performers is superb. This is a marvelous period piece recording, and I recommend it strongly to you.
----Double Reed International Journal, 1995
The trio's playing is of a very high order, and features that happy mix of impeccable intonation and an obvious love of the music being performed.
----Athens Daily News
Artists: Beverly Biggs, Forte piano
David Dutton, Oboe
[ read review ]
[ purchase ]
|
|
