James Barralet - Press Reviews“Britten’s Suite was given a solid outing by James Barralet. Barralet’s moment to show technical prowess came with Kenneth Hesketh’s Die Hangende Figur ist Judas, a solo work that saw Barralet accompanying a bowed line with steady pizzicato in his left hand, among other tricks.” Strings Magazine, May 2008 'Cellist James Barralet chose well in Edwin Roxburgh's concentrated, jolie-laide Partita (1970), Kenneth Hesketh's Britten-indebted triptych, Die Hangende Figur ist Judas (1998), and Britten's own Suite No. 3 (1974). The influence of Barralet's teacher, Thomas Demenga, was evident in his clear sound, fluent bowing, and broad dynamic range. The musical imagination was all his own.' Anna Picard, The Independent, January 2008 ‘James Barralet’s delivery supplied its one fascinations… No doubting the strength of feeling from the desolate wastes of Britten’s third Suite to the febrile kaleidoscope of Kenneth Kesketh’s Die Hangende Figur ist Judas.’ Geoff Brown, The Times January 2008 “Infinitely musical” Clifford Benson “A truly great cellist, moreover a truly great musician” Benjamin Zander “Mesmerizing… It is reassuring to know - through the greatness of Bach as performed by people like Mr Barralet - that there are still some eternal verities” Stratford Herald "Barralet's playing displayed all the colours of the cello as well as its striking vocal range. At times... one could swear more than one instrument was playing. Perhaps the most moving moment came, as the gathering dusk was illuminated by candles, in the haunting poignancy of the sixth suite's Sarabande" . Stratford Herald “Exhilarating” Leamington Courier (Premiere of "Kachina" for cello and piano by Raymond Head, Warwick International Arts Festival, July 2006) "A cellist of technical brilliance and musical intelligence" Basler Zeitung (Shostakovich cello concerto no. 1 with Basel Symphony Orchestra,) |