Sarah Williamson Reviews"Sarah Williamson finds appropriate colours for both (Copland and Finzi concertos) and makes light of their technical demands... We shall certainly be hearing of Sarah Williamson" BBC Music Magazine, August 2010 "This CD is notable for its careful observation of Copland's dynamic markings and for the neatness of playing by soloist and orchestra. An enjoyable account, particularly effective in ten long lines of the opening slow movement when Williamson's sound is thoroughly alluring. The other concerto, by Finzi, is another work that suits Williamson well. Again, her sound is as mellifluous as one could wish for in the more reflective or pastoral passages, but she also brings a welcome bite where needed." Nigel Simeone, International Record Review, June 2010 Since being a BBC Young Musician finalist in 202, Williamson has made the Copland concerto her own, and here offers a convincing fusion of jazzy vitality and mellifluous tone. A perfect counterfoil is the anxiety-tinged lyricism of the Finzi. **** Classical Music Magazine, May 2010 intonation against the strings with luminous accuracy. She purrs her way Sarah Williamson produces a beautifully regulated sound and matches her through the Finzi Concerto, luxuriating in the music's pastoral whimsy and phrasing with captivating sensitivity. Her sensuously velvety tone is projected without the slightest hint of breathiness, imparting a radiant cool to the Copland Concerto, especially in the jaunty finale where her gently cushioned staccato proves especially seductive. ....." ***** JH , Classic FM Magazine, June 2010 “Sarah Williamson is clearly a hugely promising clarinettist” Andrew Clements, The Guardian 2010 “In the cadenza-like passages in both concertos (Copland and Finzi) Williamson is wonderfully persuasive, giving the impression of improvising the music and the finale is a delight.” Edward Greenfield, Gramophone Magazine 2010 "This new CD couples two excellent concerto performances by the very gifted Sarah Williamson .....She is ably partnered by David Curtiss and the Orchestra of the Swan... Sarah williamson plays both concertos in superb fashion, with a most winning sense of style, and although this is not the first CD to couple these two works on the one disc, it is certainly one of the very best in that it couples other music by these composers..... This is an admirable disk all-round." Alexander Leonard, Musical Opinion 2010 “A superb player” Michael Church, The Independent, 2008 “The audience was able to relish in the instrument’s acrobatic capabilities as well as its gift for expressive variations in tone.” Eastern Daily Press, September 2008 “All said, it was an evening which crackled with electricity, inspired in no small way by clarinettist Sarah Williamson, a musician of consummate skill. (Weber Clarinet Concerto with Leicester Symphony Orchestra)” Leicester Mercury 2007 Sarah Williamson emphasised that wistful, yet confident, sound which seems to come only from English composers. (Finzi 5 Bagatelles arr for String quartet & Clarinet). In a performance that overall perhaps emphasised the cheerful rather than the sombre emotions in the music, Williamson blended seamlessly in and out of the string writing – it sounded as if she had been a lifelong member of the Carducci team. (Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet) Giles Woodforde, Oxford Times 2007 “An imaginative programme, beguiling tone, and zestful presentation spiced the stage of the Purcell Room on 18 May in the Kirckman Concert Society recital by clarinettist Sarah Williamson, a finalist in the 2002 BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition’. Chief amongst many merits was Sarah Williamson’s eloquently shaped tone, light and delicately shaded with a warm chalumeau where necessary, as in the slow movement of the Poulenc Sonata and Weber’s Grand Duo. The duo’s precise co-ordination and flow were especially appealing in the rhythmically complex Sonatina by Frank martin, with its slinky Chromatic slow movement and jazzy finale. Poulenc’s Sonata bristled with bonhomie, contrasting Weill-like piquancy with the characteristic harmonic richness and wit of Les Six, the final swaggering with sparkle…. Williamson’s graceful virtuosity was most boldly evident in the tour de force, Weber’s grand duo, as enjoyable for audiences as it is challenging for performers, with its fizzing musical repartee. Two cadenzas dazzled in the fascinating works chosen to frame the programme: the Hungarian Dances by Leo Weiner….and the tuneful Solo de Concours by Andre Messager. The duo’s first-rate performance throughout was capped by their panache in the thrilling encore, James Cohn’s arrangement of a Gershwin Prelude”. Musical Opinion, Purcell Room July 2004 “If the reception young clarinettist Sarah Williamson received…is anything to go by, then Britain has a new golden girl of classical music…. For not only is she an outstanding musician but she really is a great performer…. The entire performance was fresh and full of her own personality… Her sustained pianissimo sections were outstanding and the performance was full of expression and definition” The Herts Advertiser, January 2003 |