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
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
A Beautifully Melancholic Album
McEncroe's 4th Album release, "Dark Clouds In Life" has been reviewed at Review Graveyard. "It's a beautifully melancholic album that is one of the most impressive and moving classical albums I've heard of late. For me, this is what classical music is all about. It should touch your heart and permeate your spirit. I feel as though I'm spiritually a more enlightened person for simply experiencing such an incredible collection of work." -- Darren Rea Read the full review at Rev
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
An uncanny ability to channel emotion into musical form - Album Review
McEncroe's new album Dark Clouds In Life has received an impressive review on textura.org. The reviewer writes: "It's not uncommon for classical composers to explore themes of tragedy and loss in their works, but such themes are often handled in a rather general way that accentuates their universality. On Dark Clouds In Life, Australian composer Mark John McEncroe foresakes the general... Yet in writing material that is so personal, he also maximizes its emotional effect, and
Five Questions With Mark John McEncroe
During his tour of the USA to launch his new CD Dark Clouds In Life, McEncroe was interviewed by Ron Schepper of textura.org. "To say that Mark John McEncroe has led a life unlike any other composer hardly does the claim justice; after all, how many others can say they came to a career in music after working as both a chef and label manager, as he did. Luckily for us, the Sydney, Australia-born artist eventually did turn his attention to composing..." To see how McEncroe answ
There is tremendous power in this music! - album review on MainlyPiano
Kathy Parsons has reviewed McEncroe's latest album Dark Clouds in Life: "This is very definitely a work of classical scope, sweep, and style... As the 21 1/2 minute movement unfolds, many emotions are expressed - some via the piano, but most by the orchestra. Some of these emotions are contrite and sad, some are big and turbulent, and some just feel lost. There is tremendous power in this music! "Dark Clouds in Life is an exceptionally powerful album and one that deserves a g
Dark Clouds in Life is a rare creature - album review on a closer listen
McEncroe's fourth Album Dark Clouds in Life, released on March 10 2017, is reviewed on A Closer Listen. Reviewer Richard Allen writes: "Dark Clouds in Life is a rare creature, an album about depression that isn’t depressing. Through it all ~ and especially in the album’s core, “Natalie’s Suite” ~ the composer remains empathetic and above all, hopeful.... McEncroe writes that by embracing the same key, he establishes a “tragic soundscape.” But there’s more at play here, perha
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
