Piers Adams (Recorders) Howard Beach (Harpsichord and Fortepiano) David Watkin (Cello)

Reviews:

The English Nightingale is the title of a jaunty little air used by the virtuoso Dutch recorder player/composer, J Van Eyck (1590-1657) for a set of variations with which Piers Adams ends this remarkable programme. And what an enjoyable and breathtaking recital it is ! I can commend his disc without the slightest hesitation. This is virtuoso music played with great panache and apparently effortless artistry by a virtuoso of the highest order. Amazing technical feats are accomplished with self-effacing modesty, always expressing the music and never becoming self-indulgent. It is difficult to pick out pieces demonstrating this, one of the greatest of the performer's virtues, but the Kraehmer, Bassano and Van Eyck are masterly performances, while the sonata Prima of Castello is in a class of its own above the rest of the programme. Here we have breathtaking, immaculate technique at the service of the music. The performances of the different styles leaves us wondering whether this is really the humble recorder we are hearing. I have yielded to the obvious temptation to comment on the virtuosic elements first because it is easy to be entranced by them. However, the performances of the sonatas by Bach, (G minor BWV 1034; original, the flute sonata in E minor) Croft and Corelli are marvellous and reveal a fine artistry in the quiet, sustained and lyrical movements. Piers Adams coaxed the instrument into an expressiveness I had not thought possible - this, and the fireworks elsewhere done without blemishes in intonation and an admirable steadiness and control of tone in spinning out a slow moving melodic line. Howard Beach and David Watkin proved a most sensible balanced and stylish continuo. It was only in the Corelli & Bach sonatas that he rich tone of the cello tended to intrude. There were other moments of agility (impeccable co-ordination with recorder in very quick passage work) and touchingly warm lyricism in the cello's contribution. Howard Beach showed gentlemanly poise whether it is the organ or forte piano or harpsichord being used. The Croft sonata showed an imaginative selection of tone and colour; the harpsichord emerged from the background in this to support and project the structure being created by the recorder, and both artists produced an impressive climax at the end. I can commend this disc to all musicians, even those wary of "Early Music". You will be enchanted by both the music and the performances - and will want to repeat the pleasure; often. Prabhu Singh The Recorder Magazine (Dec. 1993)

Adams is like the Paganini of recorder players. His virtuoso showmanship places him above all others. RUSSELSHEIMER MUSIKTAGE (GERMANY)

The brightest of the rising stars...a mature and charismatic performer.WHICH CD

This recorder player's technique is a small miracle. NETWERK VOOR OUDE MUSEIK (HOLLAND)

The recorder playing combines profound musicianship with an extrovert but never domineering virtuoso personality and a technique that every so often defies belief. CD REVIEW

One of the greatest recorder players in the world...his recorder is transformed into a grand expressive instrument. MONTPELLIER FESTIVAL (FRANCE)

Adams is a superlative technician and an able communicator both in the music and in his witty repartee with the audience. EARLY MUSIC NEWS.

The fastest recorder player in the West. BBC Radio 3