Accolades from La Scena Musicale on L'accordéoniste's debut CD
"An artist of great artistic range, Barber
delivers these songs idiomatically and fearlessly,
without operatic artifice, her attention to textual
nuance exemplary. Nor is she afraid to dip into
chest voice,so essential in these songs. I particularly
like her gritty and world-weary delivery of “Was
bekam des Soldaten Weib?” It reminds me so
much of Teresa Stratas’ version in her The Unknown
Kurt Weill album back in 1981 – even their timbres
are similar...
The inimitable Peter Tiefenbach contributes
not just his pianistic expertise but also the occasional
vocals. Accordionist Mary-Lou Vetere shows
off her virtuoso playing in several solo numbers.
The recorded sound is clear and warm, with a welcome
sense of immediacy."
Joseph So, La Scena Musicale [Full review]
Sept 2009
Rave review from Opera Canada magazine
"It's an eclectic mix, but works very, very well in a program that requires the technique and interpretative flair of accomplished classical musicians in repertoire that is skillfully and artfully composed to sound casual."
Wayne Gooding, Opera Canada [Full review]
Winter 2009
More praise from 'A Web of Fine Music'
"Here is one of the most interesting independent releases of 2009, featuring all-Canadian talent, including Niagara's own Mary-Lou Vetere. A cross between lieder, cabaret songs and tango, this delectable recording features tracks such as There's Nothing Quite Like Money; Berlin im Licht-Song; The Sailor's Tango and La Vie en Rose. The production values are exceptional and the performances equally so. And to hear our own Mary-Lou play the accordion on this disc, well, that's just icing on the cake... enjoy!"
A Web of Fine Music, Mike Saunders
[March 2010: Mike's picks]
www.finemusic.ca
Music transports audience to war-time Europe
"An entranced and captivated crowd was transported to the impassioned streets of war-time Europe on Sunday afternoon at Central United Church in Barrie...
Soulful and heart-wrenching or quirky and heart-warming, the music was at all times poignant...
This was a world-class performance. Bravo."
Marilyn Reesor, The Barrie Examiner [Full review]
September 28, 2009
Kudos from Toronto Star on debut CD
"...Here is the playfully caustic spirit of the late 19th-century salon and early 20th-century cabaret vividly and elegantly rendered in 17 tracks by people who clearly love the material. Instrumental pieces, such as Guaparia, pulse with red-blooded zest for life. Barber ads a polished sheen to frothy little gems such as Weill's Berlin im Licht-Song, then turns around to apply dramatic force to Weill's tragic Sailor's Tango."
(3.5 out of 4 stars)
John Terauds, Entertainment Reporter, The Toronto Star [Full review]
July 28, 2009
Rave Review for debut CD: John Terauds of Toronto Star
"The group's vocalist is classical mezzo Kimberly Barber, who veers deftly from throaty pleas to full operatic flight, giving each song the right amount of dramatic heft. The partly improvised accompaniments were nicely executed by Vetere, pianist Peter Tiefenbach, violinist Julie Baumgartel and percussionist Carol Bauman.
It was Vetere who impressed the most, coaxing a seemingly impossibly wide dynamic and rhythmic range from her two accordions, defiantly grimacing in the face of anyone who dares not take seriously this instrument associated with polka parties."
From Sound Mind:
A Classical Music Blog by John Terauds [Full post]
Entertainment Reporter, The Toronto Star
July 17, 2009
CD Launch announcement - Music Times
"L'Accordéoniste is a new musical ensemble identified by the vocal dynamism of mezzo-soprano Kimberly Barber, surrounded by the profound musical skill and emotional punch of Mary-Lou Vetere, and collaborative pianist, arranger and composer extraordinaire, Peter Tiefenbach..." [Full article]
Music Times, June 2009
