JANE PARKER-SMITH

Press Notices

“Great programme, wonderful instrument, superb soloist – this is a real winner (Romantic and Virtuoso Works for Organ Volume 1, Avie Recordings). … All the right ingredients: a sumptuous and varied programme, a generously appointed instrument, … a player at the height of her powers, who projects the music with flair and vitality. … Roll on Volume 2.”

Gramophone

“... a sure sense of architecture and control over dynamics and nuance ...”

Los Angeles Times

“... virtuosity ... musicality ... lyrical performance ... total mastery ...”

The American Organist

“... spectacular ... Duruflé’s opus 4, Prelude, Adagio and Chorale variations on the Veni Creator, has rarely sounded better ... outstanding recital ... “

The Diapason

“... she demonstrated that the venerable king of instruments can also function as an effective showcase for an organist with dazzling theatrical flair.”

The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)

“ ... Miss Parker-Smith’s technique is overwhelming, combined with her impeccable taste and sense of musicianship ...”

The Birmingham News (USA)

“British organist Jane Parker-Smith’s superior artistry thrilled a large Orgelfest crowd ... She showed a dazzling technical polish that served a keen musicianship.”

The Charleston Gazette (USA)

“Her playing freed the music from the printed page and it ascended into the cavernous room, stunning us all with its power and elegance.”

Charleston Daily Mail (USA)

“Great programme, wonderful instrument, superb soloist – this is a real winner.”

Gramophone (UK)

“First the organ: St. Martin’s, Memmingen, Germany, built in 1998 in the French symphonic style. Secondly, the repertoire: concert works with nary a whiff of incense, mainly by organists-composers, all written between 1914 and 1968 … There are few organists around who can equal Jane Parker-Smith on this kind of instrument … Her performance of these pieces come highly recommended almost as a matter of course … The full force of the Goll organ with its thunderous 32-foots will, I promise, test you speakers to the limits.”

Double five star rating – BBC Music Magazine (UK)

“… Jane Parker-Smith is without a doubt one of the most brilliant organists of the post-war generation.”

Rhein Neckar Zeitung (Germany)

“This CD fulfills its promise – works that are unquestionably romantic and certainly virtuosic. For the uninitiated, it is a great introduction to romantic organ music while for others it will be an introduction to some lesser-known romantic composers worthy of more exposure. Here we have French, English, Belgian and German composers spanning almost 120 years from the 1860’s onwards … The accompanying booklet (in French, English and German) is well produced and provides detailed notes on the music, the organists and the organ – console, case and specification … It was a real pleasure to listen to such a splendid organ in a building with a great acoustic in Jane Parker-Smith’s hands. This CD gives almost 72 minutes of brilliant organ playing of an interesting, enjoyable and perhaps somewhat refreshing selection of romantic pieces. AVIE Records are to be congratulated – Volume 2 will be something to look forward to, the standard has been set.”

The Organists’ Review (UK)

“Jane Parker-Smith did a masterful job choosing a collection of mostly serious and lesser known organ works that allow her to show off her obvious talent and musicality. … The music is brilliant and interesting. … Parker-Smith goes from one flawless performance to another. … This is an obvious work of love created by someone who wants to show off both her own talents and those of the composers themselves. … I recommend this disc as an addition to any music collection.”

MusicWeb

“Her dramatic and lively playing is thoroughly suited to this colourful repertoire.”

Choir & Organ (UK)

“... a second Jeanne Demessieux ... definitely a great organ personality ...”

NRC Handelsbad (The Netherlands)

“... formidable virtuosity ...”

Rottersdam Nieuwsblad (The Netherlands)

“... fresh and vivacious approach to compositions ... musical virtuosity and lively, humorous character ...”

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (Germany)

“... Jane Parker-Smith’s fine tonal sense made her perfect technique a constant source of fascination.”

Neue Zürcher Zeitung (Switzerland)

“... individuality ... a feeling for tone-colour which was masterly ...”

Ottawa Journal (Canada)

“... unforgettable performance ... divine ...”

South China Morning Post (Hong Kong)

“... virtuosity and charisma ... playing of a seemingly adroit, highly skilled panache.”

The Daily Telegraph (UK)

“... flair and distinction ... a triumphant success ... a memorable interpretation of a monumental work on a monumental instrument ...”

The Organists’ Review (UK)