four_seasons_grand_suite.pdf

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Label: Soundset Recordings
Item Number: DZ-1000
Format: CD
Year Recorded: 2007

With [Production d'OZ's] 1000th edition comes not only their most ambitious project to date, but also possibly their finest production, certainly compared to the many I've seen from d'OZ. Marked as a "Special Edition" this new composition by the Dutch guitarist Annette Kruisbrink is a large-scale, substantial solo guitar piece with no less than 31 movements partitioned into four "suites", each one representing the four seasons of the year, and the total work lasting just over one hour if the brilliant recording (supplied with the album) by the composer is anything to judge by. Astonishingly, in an album of this magnitude of new music, there are no low points, no dips in standards, no instances where one thinks that Kruisbrink seems to have been under pressure to make up the numbers; each of these wonderfully descriptive pieces fit the bill perfectly. In the Summer Suite for example, one senses the bees, and the sea "touching the beach", the menace of the approaching storm is felt, and the frogs can be heard! Later on, the first snowflakes are almost fell at the conclusion to Autumn, and when Winter arrives, we know it. This is spectacularly skilful, quality writing from a fine guitarist/composer whose performance on the accompanying CD is of equal stature to the music. The presentation throughout is excellent, the fingering kept to a sensible level and there are four, imaginative and evocative full colour illustrations scattered throughout the book, these are by Arlette Ruelens, who, together with Annette Kruisbrink, is the other half of the Anido Guitar duo. Another artist, the wonderfully talented Corina Sierk, has provided the artwork for the front coyer. The standard to perform this work and do it full justice would have to be high, around the grade 7-8 mark.

A high-class, quality production in all areas. Steve Marsh (Classical Guitar Magazine)