TRIO VERLAINE
"Three superb musicians, flutist Lorna McGhee, harpist Heidi Krutzen and violist David Harding [....] have aCD out on Skylark, called Fin de Siècle with music by Debussy and Ravel, one that I'd give five stars for its ravishing playing. Read Review»" - Lloyd Dykk, Vancouver Sun
“...Debussy’s unique Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp opened the program....it was an innovative mix of sound, and the Trio Verlaine (flutist Lorna McGhee, violist David Harding and harpist Heidi Krutzen) made the most of Debussy’s 1915 score. ...Harding’s wide vibrato suited the music’s angularity well, and the ending and fading into the ether, was captivating. McGhee’s control of pianissimo highlighted the Interlude, connecting the swirl of harp arpeggios and a beguiling false cadence before the ending..."- Terry McNeill, The San Francisco Classical Voice
“...Flute, harp and viola are not natural companions, but McGhee, Harding and Krutzen made them seem so with a keen sense of ensemble. Separate voices blended readily but not to any sacrifice of their individuality. The sonata is the kind of Debussy that moves in its own particular Debussian universe, dissimilar to most composers around him. The three musicians had no trouble with those distinctions; in fact, they reveled in them.” - R.M. Campbell, Seattle Post Intelligencer
“...The Debussy Sonata, with Lorna McGhee (flute), Heidi Krutzen (harp) and David Harding (viola) , was a particularly happy combination of textures and beautifully balanced sound.” - Melinda Bargreen, The Seattle Times
“...Only in a festival format can we hear live Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet and string quartet. It’s hard otherwise to gather the players together, and rarely at such a polished level, as here. Harpist Heidi Krutzen, flutist Lorna McGhee, clarinetist Frank Kowalsky, violinists Erin Keefe and Steven Copes, violist David Harding and cellist Robert DeMaine drew out its dreamy, color-washed feel from the first gentle notes of the winds together to the equally exquisite harp cadenza near the end. .... another inspired pairing for harp, flute and viola followed with Krutzen, McGhee and Harding. Sofia Gubadulina’s “In the Garden of Joy and Sorrow” uses all the resources of the instruments to create the sense of a garden alive with growth and fluttering... the result was a wonderful mesh of instrumental colors.” - Philippa Kiraly, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
“ ...Sensuous, romantic and all but airborne, the Ravel drew sighs of enjoyment from [the] audience. A stellar ensemble was assembled for the Ravel: harpist Heidi Krutzen, flutist Lorna McGhee, clarinetist Frank Kowalsky, and a string quartet featuring Erin Keefe, Steven Copes, David Harding and Robert DeMaine. Krutzen’s performance was immaculate; the rest of the ensemble took graceful turns with the melodies.” - Melinda Bargreen, The Seattle Times
“...In their “Tao of Windflow” program June 28, these three showed how good a trio can get when they spend a lot of time together...making music and coming up with truly original programs.” - The Register-Guard, Eugene, Oregon
Trio Verlaine
KRUTZEN/MCGHEE DUO
“...Krutzen and McGhee, so vibrant and young, have boldly ventured into territory originally staked out by Robert Aiken and Erica Goodman and have emerged with wondrous stories to tell.” - John S. Gray, Wholenote Magazine [review of Canada, New Works for fl & hp]
“....the mature, sensitive artistry of the Krutzen/McGhee Duo sets this disc [Canada, New Works for flute and harp] apart from and above many other flute and harp recordings. If you are a member of a duo, listen to this disc to hear how it should be done.” - Roger Greive, The Harp Column Magazine
‘...Their rendition of the Mozart Flute and Harp Concerto at the Gala Concert was the single most extraordinarily exquisite performance of that piece that I’ve ever heard, and it became the talk of the convention. This special duo breathed new life into this work ....they looked genuinely surprised when the audience rose to their feet in a standing ovation.” - Helen Spielman, The Flutist Quarterly
“...two delectable contemporary rarities for flute and harp.....The evening opened with Astor Piazzolla’s “Histoire du Tango”....., a hugely entertaining work in two parts that varies from ebullience to intimate yearning. Flutist Lorna McGhee and harpist Heidi Krutzen were perfectly attuned to each other and to the music. They also presented the U.S. premiere of “Taheke,” by New Zealand composer Gareth Farr; it’s a musical representation of waterfalls, evocative and adventurous at once – a piece that deserves a place in the flute-harp repertoire.” - Melinda Bargreen, Seattle Times music critic
“The shimmer of Maurice Ravel’s Sonatine launched the concert proper with a sensuality that only the combination of French music, flute and harp can create: pure decadence. Local duo Lorna Mc Ghee, flute, and Heidi Krutzen, harp were joined by violist Scott Dickinson of the U.K.-based Leopold Trio for an exquisite performance. Once you have heard this [Salzedo] arrangement, the original solo piano version will never satisfy again...the Ravel held me in raptures...” - Tara Wohlberg, the Vancouver Sun
“The evenings biggest highlights, however, were both expected and totally unanticipated. The surprise came from a fresh work by young New Zealand composer Gareth Farr, whose recent Taheke was written for flutist Lorna McGhee and harpist Heidi Krutzen. This sensational Vancouver duo made the piece instantly familiar; it managed to evoke the French impressionism associated with those instruments while maintaining a contemporary edge.” - Ken Eisner, the Georgia Straight
“...their understanding of each other is readily apparent...McGhee with a gutsy, emphatic approach on the flute, and Krutzen, delivering a percussive sharpness on the harp, made the most of the piece, aligning their instruments with Piazzolla’s aesthetic. [Farr] gives the musicians much to do – quick and rapid passages to long, simmering phrases – which McGhee and Krutzen delivered with poise.” - R.M. Campbell, Seattle Post-Intelligencer music critic
“One of the happiest arrangements of Ravel’s music is one by the French master harpist Carlos Salzedo, of the early Sonatine for piano solo into a trio for harp, flute and viola. Flutist Lorna McGhee, harpist Heidi Krutzen, and violist Marcus Thompson made it sound as though Ravel couldn’t have written it any other way, bringing out the rippling- water effect that is one of Ravel’s trademarks. The harmonious meshing of timbres was sheer delight.” - Philippa Kiraly, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
“....This is a wonderful disc [Taheke, 20th Century Masterpieces for flute and harp], and an excellent addition to the flute and harp discography. I find the Krutzen/McGhee Duo a very exciting and forward-thinking combination. - David Oliver, British Flute Society – Pan Magazine
“To say their performance last night was a glorious example of music making at its finest would be an understatement....the audience was treated to a stunningly beautiful and immensely expressive performance. Both musicians demonstrated complete mastery of their respective instruments at every turn of phrase.” - Larry Krantz, Flute List
“These two musicians are to be celebrated for their superb musicianship...” - Oliver Chronicle
“....For performance, sound and music, this is a splendid disc [Taheke, 20th Century Masterpieces for flute and harp] all around” - Robert Jordan, The Vancouver Courier
“...an exceptionally full and round flute sound, combined with a luscious harp tone....a rare and memorable treat.” - Kamloops Daily News
“always nicely performed and recorded. Five stars.” [Candan, New Works for flute and harp] -Rick Phillips, Sound Advice CBC Radio
HEIDI KRUTZEN
“...The unexpected delight of the evening was violinist James Ehnes and harpist Heidi Krutzen in a Saint-Saens “Fantaisie” (Op. 124), which was all elegance and subtlety.” - Melinda Bargreen, The Seattle Times
“...Commenta for solo harp...bears the mark of Pentland’s exciting work, especially in this incisive performance by harpist Heidi Krutzen.” - John S. Gray , Wholenote Magazine [review of Disasters of the Sun CD]
“....Ms. Krutzen’s outstanding touch made the hairs on the back of my neck tingle.” -Stanley Fefferman , Showtimemagazine.ca
“...Guest harpist Heidi Krutzen moved forward eight centuries with the willowy “Siciliana” by Ottorino Respighi, a solo that showcased lightening-fast fingerwork and the lovely timbre...of her instrument.....Krutzen demonstrated why she’s one of the city’s finest instrumentalists with an emotional rendition of Handel’s “Prelude and Toccata.” - Nick Rickell, the Georgia Straight
“...The virtuosic eight-minute Commenta requires a performer who can respond to the work’s substantial variety of textures and registral changes, as well as the extensive number of extended harp techniques. Harpist Heidi Krutzen tackles these passages with the utmost aplomb.” - Edward Jurokowski, CAML Review
“Armanini does deserve thanks for his own contribution to the program: Green and Gold/Black and White/Red, in which yangqin (hammer dulcimer) player Vivian Xia and harpist Heidi Krutzen used the contrasting tones of their respective instruments to stunning effect. The yangqin is nasal and penetrating, the harp soothing and lush...” - Alexander Varty, The Georgia Straight
“...Yet there was a vulnerability as well, and Donizetti’s [Lucia di Lammermoor] delicate harp accompaniment (gently and sensitively played by Heidi Krutzen) underscored Lucia’s grasp on reality. - The Westender
“Her [Heidi Krutzen] solo performance of an arrangement of Handel Prelude and Toccata transported the enthusiastic audience to another space and time.” - Dave Nordstrom, The Morning Star
Krutzen demonstrated why she’s one of the city’s finest instrumentalists with an emotional rendition of Handel’s “Prelude and Toccata.” Nick Rickell, the Georgia Straight
Heidi Krutzen
DAVID HARDING
There wasn’t a weak spot in the Brahms lineup; violinists James Ehnes and Stephen Rose, violists Roberto Diaz and David Harding, and cellist Amit Peled. All are players of rare ability and finesse. [...] If chamber music is best described as a “musical conversation” these were five expert talkers. -Melinda Bargreen, Seattle Times
“Strong-voiced, secure playing from first violinist Martin Beaver and cellist Roman Borys, and highly sensitive, attentive playing from second violinist Annalee Patipatanakoon and violist David Harding created a full, balanced and flexible sound.” -John Lehr, Toronto Star
“Harding’s viola rang with rich tone and operatic bravura.” - Lloyd Dick, Vancouver Sun
“A lively work [Schubert’s G minor string Quartet], it rang with not only the joys of his youth, but also of Martin Beaver, David Harding, and Annalee Patipatanakoon and Roman Borys from the Gryphon Trio. Each one of them shone in this bold and sensuous work.” -Susan Johnson, The Guelph Mercury
[Jasper] Wood and [David] Harding joined Chi and Yagami in the first quartet [...] it was de luxe playing, by turns imperious, glittering and passionate. -Lloyd Dick, Vancouver Sun
David Harding
LORNA MCGHEE
“It was quite a night for terrific flautist Lorna McGhee, who had a taxing role in Stravinsky's Symphonies of Wind Instruments, which opened the programme, and later in Debussy's Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune, given a gossamer-light treatment by Gergiev.” London Symphony Orchestra/ Gergiev/Barbican -Stephen Pritchard, The Observer
“The Quartet in C [Mozart] was played with freshness, lyrical phrasing, and gilded rococo details by McGhee.” -Lloyd Dick, Vancouver Sun
“McGhee combined technical command with genuine expressiveness.” [Nielsen Concerto/BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra] -Mary Brennan, Glasgow Herald
“ A performance of uncommon grace, charm and intelligence.” [Mozart C Major flute quartet, McGhee/Mobius] -Andrew Achenbach, London Evening Standard
“The Concerto for Flute and Chamber Orchestra [Penderecki] featured the impressively gifted Scottish flautist Lorna McGhee [....] McGhee executed her part with apparent ease and composure. The thunderous applause at the conclusion of the piece reflected the audience’s amazement at and appreciation of her talented performance.” -John Farnworth, The Register –Guard, Eugene OR
Lorna McGhee
