Search - Charles Tomlinson Griffes, Howard Hanson, Alan Hovhaness :: Alexa Still, Flute

Exquisite Esoteric Flute Masterpieces

Kenneth S. Wheelock | Pittsfield, MA USA | 09/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Alexa Still has a more pleasing tone than some of the other flutists concertizing today and this comes through on the CD. Bravo. I wonder who made her flute because she doesn't seem to have the edgy tone favored by most contemporary flutists. Ms Still's tone is lush and full and her execution flawless. The only complaint I have is her tempo in the Hanson is somewhat languid (but then I can hear every note) I bought this disc because of the Hanson Serenade and the Griffes Poeme (the 1922 version she plays here has a B natural - that she holds - instead of the Urtext's B flat in the cadenza which felt more natural to me 40 years ago). Both the Griffes and the Hanson are somewhat hard to find on CD. But I really like this disc because of the Hovhaness Elibris and the Bloch Suite Modale, both stunningly beautiful pieces of flute music that should be played more often. Two old favorites and two new friends. Also on the disc are Foote's A Night Piece and Kennan's Night Soliloquoy which are not to be sniffed at. With this disc I finally replace my vinyl LP edition of Marice Sharp's "Music for a Golden Flute" (with the exception of the Honneger on the LP). I can understand everyone's enthusiasm for her playing, it is exquisite. If New Zealand can keep her they will be very lucky."

100 Star Review

Lisa M. Pignotti | Austin,TX. | 06/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the first Alexa Still CD I ever had. Almost have them all now. My musician Mother gave me this CD. It's hard to express in words how I feel about her performance. They say action speaks louder than words. True, because I'm going all the way to Boulder from Austin to have a four hour lesson from her! So this is my 100 Star Review!"