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
Intimate and Cinematic - Dark Clouds in Life album review
McEncroe's very personal album Dark Clouds in Life has received a great review from Kathodik's Luciano Feliciani. He writes: "Una musica di non difficile ascolto, che esplora i sentimenti e gli stati d’animo del compositore in modo quasi “filmico”, descrittivo, proprio come una colonna sonora." Read the full review at Kathodik online Released thru Parma Recordings and Navona Records, the album is available at iTunes | Naxos Direct | ArkivMusic | Amazon | Spotify #australianc
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
A Fragile Beauty - album review in Sonograma
Sonograma magazine has posted a great review of McEncroe's Dark Clouds in Life. "El resultat musical és d’una bellesa fràgil..." "Un excellent treball per escoltar i reescoltar, i descobrir i redescobrir." -- Joan Carles Abelenda. The volume features "Natalie's Suite", a highly personal work with two very long movements written mostly as a catharsis, and McEncroe is quite moved by the fact that many people seem to like it, the way it resonates with them. Read the full review
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
Parma Recordings releases new CD "Dark Clouds In Life"
On March 10th, McEncroe's 4th CD, "Dark Clouds In Life" will be released through Parma Recordings and Navona Records. This is a special collection of Mark's piano and orchestral works, a conceptual release focused on overcoming addiction and depression which draws on personal experience.
Performed by the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra and pianist Helen Kennedy.
For full details including track listing, read more at the Navona catalog listing. Check out all the new releases
Affirmations and Aspirations reviewed in MTA mag, The Studio
McEncroe's third CD Affirmations and Aspirations has received a glowing review in November's issue of 'The Studio' magazine. Here is the review in full. Review by William Clark Following on from the successful unique piano CD’s, the Wirripang label presents Australian composer Mark John McEncroe's CD release, Affirmations and Aspirations with the Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Anthony Armore. Orchestrations are by Mark J Saliba. The CD commences with the Fanfare
