Reviews

Reed Rage at St. Anne's Kew

"If you ever doubted the musical effectiveness and appeal of a Bassoon Quartet, Reed Rage will change your mind and have you shouting for more!

Expect the unexpected (Tchaikovsky’s pizzicato Scherzo?? – yes, really!) and relish the results! Reed Rage performs a delightfully varied repertoire of witty, imaginative arrangements and original pieces, displaying both the lightest of touches and a rich blend of expression. It’s a wonderful sound: quirky, entertaining and, thanks to the enviable artistry of the players, musically very satisfying and refreshing.

For anyone planning a musical occasion, Reed Rage makes a novel alternative to singers and string quartets. Adding an extra dimension of fun, this unusual and wonderfully polished ensemble will guarantee musical pleasure and sparkling entertainment."

Guy Thomas, Schott Music Ltd.

Milton Keynes Open University Campus Concert

"Thanks very much for playing for us. As I may have said (and you confirmed this is a general feeling in one of your introductions) we weren’t very sure how popular a bassoon quartet would be, though I was sure you would be thoroughly entertaining for those who came. As it turned out we had a very good turnout, and I’m sure they’ll go away and tell their friends – a number of people said how much they’d enjoyed it, and they weren’t all bassoonists! It’s a wonderful sound, beautifully played, and the arrangements (not least Boris’s) are excellent – not only amusing, but some very expressive pieces too, like the Rimsky Korsakov. I loved the Dvorak in particular, and The Lone-Ar-Ranger is a brilliant finale. I thought you might like to see this unsolicited email from a satisfied customer: “…just wanted to say WOW about Reed Rage! They were sooo musically tight and wonderful and the sound was gorgeous. I want to learn the contrabassoon!! Let's get them back sometime. Many thanks for bagging them.”
Please pass on my thanks to the others. I hope we can have you back sometime."
M.F.

Cricket, Reed Rage and Cream Tea

"Is there a better way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon – watching cricket on the village green then listening to your favourite music in a magnificent 18th century church and rounding off with a cream tea in the church hall?

This was the setting last Sunday at St Anne’s Church, Kew for another in a series of popular concerts by the Reed Rage Bassoon Quartet.

It is a well-known fact (among bassoonists at any rate!) that many famous composers wrote their greatest compositions specifically for the bassoon quartet. These are more usually performed as arrangements for other instruments.

Reed Rage set the record straight by performing a number of works as they were originally conceived – for four bassoons!

The pieces in the program were introduced by each member of the quartet in turn and included works by Skirrow (The Poacher and Mr Midshipman Bassoonblower) and Schickele (Last Tango in Bayreuth) as well as pieces by more familiar composers, notably Senaille (Allegro spiritoso), Prokovief (Humorous Scherzo) and Tchaikovsky (Pizzicato from his 4th Symphony).

We were also treated to the first performance of a piece entitled “Jaunt” written especially for the quartet by Daniel Barkley.

The ensemble playing was excellent, being both sonorous and well-balanced, despite several of the pieces being rhythmically very tricky, and the varied program amply demonstrated the many voices of the bassoon (and contra of course!).

The concert was brought to a climax by the William Tell overture (a.k.a. The Lone Ar-ranger) performed as Rossini surely must have intended. This received tumultuous applause from the audience who were a mix of bassoonophiles and others who just happened to be passing and came in for tea and chocolate cake!

I look forward to the next out Rage!" J.A.

Reed Rage for Weddings

“As a stressed bride I was distraught when our harpist fell ill, but Reed Rage rode to the rescue! As a former bassoonist I don’t know why I ever considered anything other than a bassoon quartet for my special day, and they didn’t disappoint. All my guests, even the non-musical ones, were delighted with this quirky alternative to a string quartet, who offered a wide selection of possible music ranging from traditional and romantic to entertaining and light! Totally reliable and very entertaining, they gave our ceremony a real distinctiveness, and my only hesitation in recommending them is that I don’t want too many other people to realise what a great idea it is to have Reed Rage at their wedding too...”

Anna Sabine, Director - Meeting Place Communications Bath