It has now been nearly two years since Clare’s album was released. I was fortunate to be involved in writing a new piece for it. Since the album’s release in 2022, it has reached many people and received an incredible number of wonderful reviews. I have gathered these on this page. It has been a great experience to be part of this journey! Some of the reviews specifically mention “Lush Darkness – Glaring Light,” which are highlighted at the top of this collection. If you would like to listen, view the sheet music, or read more, you can find it here.
4barsrest
“The world’s favourite online brass band magazine”
Farr’s perceptive appreciation binds everything together; the opening ‘Lush Darkness – glaring light (because the loudmouthed forgot the beauty of a simple tone)’ providing a questioning appraisal of the bass trombonist’s true art – especially a calming awareness of texture and malleability. It is a little masterclass in less is more.
Iwan Fox
The album also received an award in 4barrests’ ‘Solo CD of the Year’ in 2023!
https://4barsrest.com/news/60161/2023-4br-solo-cd-of-the-year
Ballade
The Norwegian music online magazine has reviewed the album.
Bente Leiknes Thorsen’s “Lush Darkness” is the most interesting among the newer works, featuring its Arne Nordheim-like “snark language”.
Ola Nordal
The Trombonist
The British Trombone Society’s magazine. The review is on page 27.
Opening her album and setting the tone is a new work by Bente Leiknes Thorsen commissioned by Clare, Lush darkness – glaring light (because the loudmouthed forgot the beauty of a simple tone). It’s quickly apparent how this piece earned its title – a BIG opening immediately morphing into a sumptuously rich melody showing off Clare’s glorious sound. I hope to hear many performances of this work in the future.
Josh Cirtina
Den klassiske musikkbloggen
This is a norwegian blog where writes about and reviews classical music.
Lend your ear to this “big-mouthed beauty.” The experience is well worth an hour of your life.
https://klassiskcd.blogspot.com/2022/10/den-virkelig-store-klangen.html
Klassiskmusikk
Guy Rickards reviewed the album for this Norwegian online magazine.
This is a fun album, brilliantly performed.
https://www.klassiskmusikk.com/cd-anmeldelser/loudmouthed-beauty/
Hi-finews
A review that focuses on the sound quality.
24-bit, it delivers sensational sheer low-frequency energy and wonderful harmonics, while Farr’s playing is superb, from sheer brassy punch to the finer nuances.
AE
https://www.hifinews.com/content/hi-res-downloads-november-2022
The arts desk
This British arts journalism website has reviewed the album.
Farr is a strong, powerful and highly effective advocate for her instrument. In this album she has set out to showcase its range and its appeal. And has done so very well.
Sebastian Scotney
https://theartsdesk.com/classical-music/classical-cds-symphonies-suppers-and-knitting-needles