performance, recordings and education reviews
performance reviews
"Rapport and precision"
The Times, June 2005
"Extraordinary to behold ....six pairs of eyes, watching, listening, timing each move to the split second. Breathtaking."
The Times, March 2002
"The 60 fingers and multiple keyboards of pianocircus have come a long way since they formed in 1989 ...the six players alternate between two grand pianos, four sampling keyboards and a spinet, transform the piano sounds in various ways, play a variety of conventional and unconventional percussion and incorporate a variety of mechanical and natural sounds. Totally compelling"
The Guardian, October 2001
"pianocircus succeed in drawing us into a rarefied musical world"
The Guardian, March 2000
"Steve Reich's composition Six Pianos is a pivotal feature of [pianocircus']repertoire since the group's formation in 1989, and still the most perfect distillation of their brave and singular approach to live performance"
The Guardian, March 2000
"pianocircus: keyboard wizards"
The Scotsman, March 2000
"This was utterly charming and compelling playing. If you are cynical about modern music, go along and be amazed"
The Scotsman, March 2000
". . there was little doubt that this is the best ensemble piano playing you're likely to hear either side of the Watford Gap"
The Scotsman, March 2000
"Here were six exceptionally talented players, and the energy and enthusiasm with which they approached last night's programme was astonishing....."
Yorkshire Post, November 1995
"pianocircus is inspirational, original and entertaining"
Bournemouth Evening News, May 1995
"By opening their own eyes to the innately theatrical nature of performance pianocircus invite the listener into the music itself"
Gramophone January 1994
"pianocircus is spectacular. If contemporary music has any equivalent to the Red Arrows, then this ensemble must surely be it"
BBC Music Magazine, November 1993
"This was a towering performance, each infinitesimal change of tempo raising the musical temperature yet with never a beat or a cross rhythm out of place"
Huddersfield Daily Examiner, November 1993
"Listeners will love the brilliant chunkiness of the music, the busy virtuosity and impeccable co-ordination of the playing.."
The Gramophone, January 1993
recordings reviews
"Above all, the music they play is so positive and genuinely exciting that it brings truly contemporary music into a position where it can be widely enjoyed and inspirational to other young composers"
CD Review, December 1994
reviews for Transmission - pcd003:
"you could never accuse pianocircus of doing things by halves ....this disc will delight their fans, and has enough variety within the post-minimalist perspective to attract new listeners ...an entertaining and engaging disc"
Gramophone, March 2002
"....a multiple-composer recital CD ....comprises seven substantial pieces by seven different composers, all written specially for this six-piano ensemble ....pianocircus put every key to good use ....a contemporary music ensemble in tune with the zeitgeist"
The Guardian, February 2002
"....this zany combination of six pianists is pure musical theatre ....from thundering counterpoint to thick, 12-hand unison, the textures vary consistently, the effects mesmerise ....just pin back your ears"
CD of the week, The Observer, January 2002
reviews for Big Chill compilation 'Enchanted Garden' (featuring Mazuzu Dream from Kumakudo - pcd002):
"....perhaps the best of the lot, a tune by six piano group pianocircus, which builds from simple beginnings to a supremely lovely climax. Almost brings tears to my eyes"
The Wire, October 1999
reviews for Kumakudo - pcd002:
"....[Kumakudo] develops on the original, subtly shifting its gorgeous melodies through rhythmic sleight of hand ....Mazuzu Dream is the highlight, a piece of South African township jive where all six pianos are brought into play. A tolling bass-line and shimmering high notes bring a thoughtful reinterpretation of jive's sweet, singing guitar, and the pianists' rhythmic articulation makes it really swing"
Gramophone, November 1998
education reviews
"I thought the project was very beneficial and enjoyable"...."I found the whole experience extremely enjoyable. I thought that Piano Circus were fantastic".... "I felt excited and thrilled that I had managed to compose a piece for 6 pianos, something I would never have thought to do before. I was very excited to hear my own work played. I was very proud that I had written it. I felt my piece was being performed brilliantly by all the musicians. I was very pleased with the way they performed my piece and the way they treated it."
Pupil Evaluation of 'SPNM: Composing Beyond GCSE' in the Vale of Glamorgan, September 1997
"[pianocircus's] schools workshops must be a godsend to educators trying to make something out of a classroom full of electronic keyboards"
The Guardian, February 2002
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