Reviews
“What a work it was! I could go on and on about its beauty, accessibility, anti-modern but still new and different, use of color throughout the ensemble, etc. But most importantly… The little touch of magic…. (the) ability to craft a score that was so intense, thick, and full of rich and challenging parts for every individual instrument, and, at the same time, one that the average patron with little musical background can embrace.”
Robert Trocina, Music Director, Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra
“An impressive work of Mahlerian dimensions. Mention of Mahler brings Das Lied von der Erde to mind in a symphonic cycle for two singers and orchestra lasting just over an hour. The ‘compact’ nature of our comments precludes a detailed review of a work that is enormously impressive: the musical language stems from ‘traditional’ modes of expression, which have exited the imagination of this listener. The songs are varied in subject-matter, but have an underlying linking thread: WebbMitchell (born 1970) is based in China, where he has taught for several years; his competence as an orchestrator is faultless, over-ridden by his genuine creative gifts. Imagine, if you will, a latter-day Tippett at the outset of his career: it is that good.”
Matthew Robert-Walker, Musical Opinion Magazine
“In Songs of Awe and Wonder, Andrew Webb-Mitchell has created a stunning set of symphonic songs on a grand scale. The music is full of passion and heroism, with glorious harmony and beautiful textures. The orchestration is beautifully detailed and the vocal writing creates a soaring line that carries the listener right through the vast canvas of the cycle. The work is dedicated to Mahler but, although the scale of the work is comparable to a Mahlerian song cycle, the music is in no way derivative and Andrew Webb-Mitchell has his own unique style and sound-world.”
“Andrew Webb-Mitchell has produced a remarkable and important work in “Songs of Awe and Wonder”. Dedicated to Gustav Mahler, this is passionate music on a grand scale – a modern day “Song of the Earth”. It is serious music written in an approachable musical style and I loved it! ”
“There is dream, daring and duende in the poetry of Songs of Awe and Wonder. The core of these lyrics is their sheer, stark elegiac power reminding me of how I felt the first time I heard Rilke’s Duino Elegies.”
“Songs of Awe and Wonder is a beautiful, joyous and uplifting new work by a very accomplished composer. Soaring vocal lines, sparkling orchestration and direct, vivid storytelling. A great new work.”