
A high water mark for listening experiences - Live In Ostrava - Album Review
More great press from Midwest Record, this time for McEncroe's newest release, LIVE IN OSTRAVA. Chris Spector of Midwest Record online writes: A welcome recording for those who want to get into contemporary cats that have a great respect for tradition. Playing like a work from the existing classical canon despite being newly written, McEncroe would be at home in any era with his grand, sweeping thoughts. Expertly realized by Janacek Philharmonic, this is a high water mark fo

Lovely, Memorable Melodies - "My Symphonic Poems" Album Review
Another great review of McEncroe's album "My Symphonic poems" can be found at Records International Online: "These tone poems succeed admirably in these aims, on their own terms; they ably illustrate the picturesque subject matter of their evocative titles,..." "[McEncroe] is adept at coming up with lovely, memorable melodies..." "The results will at different times recall Brahms, Dvorak, Beethoven, occasionally Sibelius and other obvious Romantic models, and are thoroughly e

The secret sauce is the punk rock spirit - Album Review
Check out this short and sweet review of McEncroe's latest album "My Symphonic Poems". Chris Spector of Midwest Record online writes: The secret sauce behind this double CD of well played, well written contemporary classical is the punk rock spirit lurking under the surface. Not classical trained and not wanting to make a statement, McEncroe is only concerned with making music that speaks to him. With the Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra bringing his notes to life, this set cou

Parma's August New Music Features their 500th Release!
PARMA Recording's August round of releases is a little different from their previous offerings. On August 11th, they’re releasing Croatian pianist and composer Matej Meštrović’s debut album on Navona Records; it’s an exciting, inspired all-piano take on Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. They've also got composer Bill Whitley’s debut album featuring sumptuous chamber music, an opera by Ross Crean based on Welsh author Arthur Machen’s eponymous novel of scientific hubris and supernatura

New Album Symphonic Suites 1 & 2 released in August through PARMA recordings
McEncroe's new album, SYMPHONIC SUITES NUMBER 1 & 2 – A MEDIEVAL SAGA will be released through Parma Recordings and Navona Records on August 11, 2017.
SYMPHONIC SUITES NUMBER 1 & 2 – A MEDIEVAL SAGA is a classic adventure in orchestral music. Powered by McEncroe’s thematic style, these two symphonic suites lead the listener through a harrowing and dramatic story of ancient conflict and grandeur. Like a film score from the Golden Age Of Hollywood, McEncroe’s musical ‘storytel

Life's Dark Clouds: New Large-scale Work for Piano & Orchestra
Large-scale works for piano and orchestra tend to be fairly rare occurrences but Australian composer Mark John McEncroe has created a rather massive work that comes out of his own struggles of addiction and depression finding expression in Natalie’s Suite: Three Faces of Addiction. The album also includes a couple of solo piano works performed by Helen Kennedy, and a brief symphonic poem. To say that Natalie’s Suite is a massive work is an understatement. Each of the moveme

"Both glorious and heartbreaking" - Kathy Parsons reviews McEncroe's first orchestral
Affirmations & Aspirations is a series of three symphonic performances of the music of Australian composer Mark John McEncroe. The performances by The Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra were recorded in The Czech Republic in 2013 and 2014 and consist of “Fanfare Suite” (a four-movement work), and two symphonic poems: “The Passing” and “A Celebration of the Natural World.” Very classical in styling, McEncroe’s orchestral work feels more traditionally-structured than much of his so

Just Announced: Symphonic Suite No. 1 to be premiered in concert in October
It’s official. I will be returning to Europe this October, where The Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra will perform my Symphonic Suite No. 1 “Just Another Medieval Tale” at a special concert in Ostrava on October 20th 2016, conducted by their artistic director, celebrated German conductor Heiko Mathias Förster. Symphonic Suite No. 1 was recorded with The Janacek Philharmonic in Ostrava in 2015, conducted by Anthony Armore, and is prepped for release on CD and sheet music throug

My winter of concerts and more recordings in Europe
As a composer it’s a great feeling to have another work completed, and in the last year I have had the satisfaction of writing three Symphonic Suites and another Symphonic Poem. But even more satisfying is to see these works performed and recorded. So, while Sydneysiders were enjoying the sun and the beach in January this year, I made my 6th trip to wintry Europe, to Vienna and the The Czech Republic, to record my latest works with The Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra (Janáčkov

New recording in the bag - "Just Another Medieval Tale"
In June 2015 I recorded my largest orchestral work to date, a seven movement Symphonic Suite – Just Another Medieval Tale. Performed by The Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Anthony Armore, it is going to released on CD and MP3 download in 2016. I'm also looking at getting the score published as well. No exact dates yet, but stay tuned. #AnthonyArmore #ClassicalMusic #JanacekPhilharmonic #JanacekPhilharmonicOrchestra #MarkJohnMcEncroe #Symphonicmusic #symphonics