Pond Life
In 2008, following the critical and public success of her mammoth collection of piano works Rivers, Canadian composer Ann Southam proceeded to write more pieces inspired by rivers for pianist Christina Petrowska Quilico. This two-CD set collects all of these works, as performed by Petrowska Quilico, in stunning World premiere recordings supervised by the composer. Visit Christina’s web site at http://www.petrowskaquilico.com
In 2008, following the critical and public success of her mammoth collection of piano works Rivers, Canadian composer Ann Southam proceeded to write more pieces inspired by rivers for pianist Christina Petrowska Quilico. This two-CD set collects all of these works, as performed by Petrowska Quilico, in stunning World premiere recordings supervised by the composer. Visit Christina’s web site at http://www.petrowskaquilico.com
« [Southam] achieves an effect of lyrical introspection using minimalist methods that allow the mind to relax into a sense of familiarity with the material. Petrowska Quilico’s sensitive touch and grasp of the shifting tempi and rhythms surely guide the listener’s ear through subtle changes…Anyone interested in living music from this country, or anyone open to being guided by music along a spiritual journey, will enjoy this album. »
– Stanley Fefferman, Showtime Magazine
« The distinctiveness of Southam’s sound world lies in her ability to create a sense of space around the notes. A simple motif can emerge from layers of sound and with a rhythmic or harmonic twist change the course of music. It’s moving, and it encourages contemplation of what lies beyond the sounds. »
– Pamela Margles, Wholenote Magazine
« Take any 2 or 3 of the 20 short pieces and you’ll hear exquisiteness…Christina Petrowska Quilico has long been the dean of Canadian new music pianists and her mastery of Southam’s music here shows why. »
– Richard Todd, The Ottawa Citizen
« Because Pond Life unfolds in a slow, circular manner, once the music has teased us in we can remain suspended within it seemingly forever. It was a truly magical experienceone that the disc allows us to repeat in the comfort of our favourite listening position. »
– John Terauds, The Toronto Star
« Petrowska Quilico is sensitive to the delicate balance of Southam’s compositional ecosystem, playing with assured pacing and nuanced phrasing…Pond Life is a recording that, while primarily gentle on the surface, is consistently attention-grabbing. »
– Christian Carey, Sequenza 21
« Southam’s piano (like Satie’s)…does require a pianist who is exquisitely sensitive to sound per se, and that describes Christina Petrowska Quilico. I interviewed this pianist for Fanfare many years ago, was impressed with her work then, and continue to be so now. Her attention to tone color ensures that this music remains interesting and inviting, even when it operates within a rather narrow circumference. Her concentration never flags, and as a result, neither does ours. This pair of discs—recorded in a single day, unusually enough-boasts realistic and well-balanced sound. »
– Raymond Tuttle, Fanfare Magazine
« The 20 pieces on these two discs are pleasantly contemplative, ideal for the multi-tasking’ of contemporary life. Christina Petrowska Quilico…has a delicate touch and gets a lucid, suitably spatial recording. »
– Jack Sullivan, American Record Guide
Videos:
Christina Petrowska Quilico performs Commotion Creek by Ann Southam
Christina Petrowska Quilico performs Fiddle Creek by Ann Southam
Christina Petrowska Quilico performs Noisy River by Ann Southam
Christina Petrowska Quilico performs Fidget River by Ann Southam
CD 1:
1. Spatial View of Pond 1
2. Noisy River
3. Soundstill IV
4. Soundstill VI
5. Soundstill VII
6. Sounstill VIII
7. Soundstill IX
8. Soundstill X
9. Commotion Creek
10. Soundstill V
CD 2:
1. Fidget Creek
2. Soundstill I
3. Soundstill II
4. Soundstill III
5. Fiddle Creek
6. Spatial View of Pond 2
7. Pond Life I
8. Pond Life II
9. Pond Life III
10. Pond Life IV
PERFORMERS:
