“Masterpiece is not a term to be used carelessly, but this accolade is totally warranted for Gillian Whitehead’s Alice…”
“Now a splendid Atoll recording, with Marc Taddei conducting the NZSO, does both singer and composer full justice…”
“Alice is in sterling company on the disc. Whitehead’s 2006 Karokihi is a 13-minute miniconcerto for harp. Soloist Carolyn Mills floats her often Oriental-tinged lines over myriad water effects in the orchestra, beautifully moulded by conductor Taddei.”
Natalia Lomeiko, violinist
“There is nothing conventional about Taddei’s programming, yet Beethoven and Bernstein proved dynamic companions,…”
“Taddei drew playing from his strings and percussion that was authority itself.”
“The Gillian Whitehead release is grippingly performed and marvellously recorded by Paul McGlashan, yet for all but serious collectors of recordings by New Zealand composers, I would suggest an audition.”
“Marc Taddei, Music Director of Orchestra Wellington, is an enthusiastic believer in “close audience connection” and this took the form of a musical interlude that was not shown on the programme…”
“…Beethoven’s Leonore No.3 overture was beautifully crafted, with Marc Taddei eliciting exquisite phrasing and riveting dynamic contrasts from the players…”