Comments from listeners and performers on Susan's compositions:“I have enjoyed listening to [your works] immensely. You do a good job in blending a mix of styles in your writing, which is not easy to do. In many senses, you're the best kind of musician/composer to have out there, because this is the way music is moving, and you've already got a knack for this." ~Jennifer Higdon, Pulitzer Prize winning composer, Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia, PA"...Your delightful music--very modern and creative, yet pleasant to listen to, which is saying something these days..." ~Cliff Self, violinist, Port Townsend, WA "Breathing Space": “Wow! I loved it! The feeling of spaciousness was effective. The close harmony in the piano contrasted the soberness of the horn. The vocal line very expressive." ~Todd Skrabanek, Atlanta Symphony Chorus pianist and composer Bessarabica: “I think it is a great piece! I'm sure it is real fun playing it. I liked the cadenza in the second [movement] a lot! The fourth has a wonderful rhythm in the accompaniment (some Klezmer, some even [sic] Jazz] and the Schmaltz suits perfect to describe the melody. I liked especially the ending a lot!" ~Shirley Brill, Israeli clarinetist, New England Conservatory “I am at work and I decided to have a listen to the CD you gave me. I am on the 3rd movement of the Bessarabica. I had to stop and tell you how amazing you are and I am not even finished yet. I was taken within the first few seconds such a great feeling of this Bohemian Gypsy dance like thing and I LOVE IT!!! I am going to finish listening now." ~Michelle Trainor, soprano, Cambridge, MA Bessarabica: “Thank you very much for contacting me regarding this wonderful project; it was so much fun to play! I do very much appreciate your musical, emotional and financial commitments to this... I really enjoyed playing along with my fellow musicians." ~Fabrizio Mazzetta, cellist and Longy Conservatory graduate, Cambridge, MA “I remember how awesome Bessarabica was.” ~Deirdre Viau, flutist and Longy Conservatory graduate, Cambridge, MA Bessarabica: “Dear Susan, Your piece is perfect—the Maestra has spoken!!!” ~Todd Brunel, clarinetist and Longy Conservatory graduate, Cambridge, MA Bessarabica: “These are very nice pieces. Congratulations!” ~Cantor Robbie Solomon, Temple Isaiah, Lexington, MA “Drop Thy Still Dews of Quietness”: “It went well Sunday. It was very effective and everybody loved it!” ~Brink Bush, organist & choirmaster, Cathedral of St. John, Providence, RI Springs in the Desert: "Bravo!!" ~Dr. Robert Freeman, director of the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, NY “I have been looking at the Temple Slip Jig and Reel and I must say that this is a fine piece, a very original idea. Good work.” ~Philip Jones FRCO, organist and music director “Welcome, All Wonders in One Sight!”: “WOW! The music suggests to me the anticipation ~ wonder ~ mystery ~ frenzy ~ excitement of new birth. That last measure suggests a very different event than 'Silent Night.'" ~Rev. Cecelia Duke-Rector, Christ Church Episcopal, Norcross, GA |
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