Regular readers will know I'm not a fan of KT's usual playing style, but Max has got some good piping out of her. Some of the crispest rapid staccato I've ever heard her play. Some open fingered trills too, mind - are they Max's or hers, or did they agree on them? The piece is good to listen to - but Max didn't attempt to stick to a Northumbrian style - what traditional elements there are come from Orkney. At least with this he has accepted the necessity with NSP of working within the range of the pipes - the harmonics in his 'Cross Lane Fair' were very unhappy. Cor anglais playing with NSP gives a blend of sounds worth hearing again, and perhaps this is enough justify the piece. The mic placement was maybe a problem - but string quartet, cor anglais and double bass can make quite a loud noise together if the players have to - NSP is stuck with a steady mf. John
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