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Published on: 10/1/2006
Last Visited: 4/1/2009
Clarion Seven Muses - Leon McCawley
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Leon McCawley
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Reviews for Leon McCawley
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Leon McCawley
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Inspiration in Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 22 in E Flat Major, K. 482, came in the form of the soloist, Leon McCawley.
You could hear the orchestra in places meeting his musicality, finding a shared philosophy rooted in a concept of refined sound.
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Playing with total integration as a duo, it was equally remarkable that McCawley switched unblinkingly to soloist in exhilarating Chopin and Schumann, giving Pyatt a couple of well-earned breaks.- The Scotsman, 3 September 2007
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On Friday night, pianist Leon McCawley explored the Classical and Romantic concepts of fantasia...The precision at which he excels was not at all at odds with the improvisational freedom essential to pieces such as Beethoven's Sonata in E flat Op 27 No 1 Quasi una fantasia and Chopin's F minor Fantasie.
McCawley's deep understanding of the relationship between detail and large-scale design helped make his account of Schumann's Op 17 Fantasie in C especially powerful, full of insight into the inner aspects of a composer..- The Irish Times, 21 August 2007
The Philadelphia Orchestra/ Rossen Milanov at Kimmel Center, June 2007
The orchestra imported superb London pianist Leon McCawley for Mozart's uncharacteristically anxious D minor (K. 466) piano concerto. - Philadelphia Inquirer, 25 June 2007
BRIGHTON FESTIVAL, 21ST MAY 2007
Leon McCawley gave an absorbing piano recital focusing on fantasies..
ith his characteristic poise and concentration, McCawley's playing reflected and enhanced the spontaneous invention of these pieces, one idea leading naturally to another, but with a shapeliness of structure and a dynamism of interpretation that gave the discourse both coherence and eloquence of expression. - Daily Telegraph, 25 May 2007
Cincinnati Symphony/ Gianandrea Noseda, novemBer 2006
...Mozart's Concerto in D Minor, K. 466 was the picture of refinement.
British pianist Leon McCawley, making his debut, is a virtuoso whose playing was all about clarity, grace and beauty of tone.
This Mozart, with such lightness of touch and shorter bows in the orchestra, was a rarity.
That's not to say McCawley couldn't conjure drama when needed; his cadenzas, by Beethoven, were ablaze with color.
McCawley let the beauty of the music shine with no trace of ego. - Cincinnati Enquirer, November 17th 2006
The Frick Collection, New York, OCTOBER 2006
The room's reverberant acoustics highlighted the eloquently full-blooded approach of Leon McCawley, the 33-year-old British Pianist, Curtis graduate and multiple competition laureate, who made his New York recital debut on Sunday at the Frick.
Mr. McCawley began his program with a spirited and almost romantic reading of Mozart's Sonata in D (K. 311) with long expressive phrases and a liberal use of rubato. [In Schubert's Sonata in A minor], Mr McCawley...emphasised the harmonic shifts and contrasting moods in a lyrical, heartfelt performance.
After intermission Mr McCawley spoke briefly about Hans Gál-an Austrian Jewish composer whom he has championed and recorded.
Gál's Suite for Piano (1924) is an instantly appealing work ...
Mr. McCawley deftly contrasted the varied textures and harmonies.
Mr McCawley concluded his program with Rachmaninoff: first a poetic and mystical account of the Étude-Tableaux (Op. 39, Nos.
2 and 8), followed by a probing and virtuosic reading of Variations on a Theme of Corelli.
Mr McCawley explored the variations on the majestic theme, ranging from languid to powerful, with sensitivity and style.
The listener, meanwhile, was enveloped in an acoustical cocoon of bright, passionate sound. - New York Times October 10th 2006
CD: MOZART THE PIANO SONATAS, avie recORDS
Album of the week: This boxed set of these perfect gems is special.
The playing of Leon McCawley, one of Britain's brightest young pianists, is not just technically flawless, it also has a freshness.
Mozart's sonatas don't have many notes, but that's their challenge-to which he rises superbly, delivering sweet intimacy or orchestral richness as the occasion demands.
A riveting box. - The Independent, 2 December 2006
McCawley shows both virtuoso muscularity and tender insights in a uniformly accomplished reading, which here surprises and there dazzles, without ever descending to vulgarity or exhibitionism.
This superb set should propel McCawley towards the greater prominence he deserves.- The Observer, 5 November 2006
This is a magnificent achievement and illustrates firstly how much there is in Mozart's piano sonatas and secondly what a very fine pianist is Leon McCawley...Listening to this collection has been an immense privilege and I strongly recommend the set to all lovers of great music.
It has been one of the most enjoyable experiences listening to McCawley and this box is bound to end up in my "Records of the Year". - Music Web International, November 2006
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[Beethoven's] First Piano Concerto launched the evening in a warm-hearted collaboration with the popular and much-admired Leon McCawley...Infusing every note and phrase with thoughtful colour, subtly hinting at underlying drama, McCawley's reading was matched by sympathetic, appreciative orchestral responses under the musicianly Litton - no mean pianist himself. - Birmingham Post
cd: hans gÁL complete works for solo piano, avie records
Producer Simon Fox-Gál couldn't have found a more eloquent spokesperson for his grandfather's music than Leon McCawley... (Einen eloquenteren Anwalt für die Musik seines Großvaters hätte Produzent Simon Fox-Gál nicht finden können als Leon McCawley) - Fono Forum, 5 June 2006
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Leon McCawley's performances achieve two seemingly contradictory ends: though he flies at the music with lusty enthusiasm, he sacrifices not an ounce of the clarity and nimble wit it demands. - Pianist, February/March 2006
Leon McCawley's playing is top-drawer stuff.
He's a model of textural clarity - just what this music requires - but there's plenty of sap in his veins, too, as he finds that elusive middle way between cautioius respect and evangelizing over-insistence…A wonderful set - go for it! - Fanfare, March/April 2006
Pianist McCawley truly understands this music and delivers it with the elegance, grace and the sensitivity towards touch and dynamics it needs. - www.allarts.com, April 2006
It's always welcome to have the opportunity to discover something new, especially when the rewards are as great as they are here.
At a stroke we have the complete solo piano music of Hans Gál, including premiere recordings...An important and intriguing release..that brings together Hans Gál's fastidious craft and Leon mcCawley's discerning and faithful interpretations, beautifully recorded.
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The first thing to say about this set is that Leon McCawley's playing could hardly be bettered: virtually every bar betrays a level of perception that would surely have warmed thecomposer's heart. - Gramophone, November 2005 - EDITOR'S CHOICE
Here, Leon McCawley, whose playing is beautifully clean-toned, makes a powerful case for [the] solo piano music. - Sunday Times, 30 October 2005
This fascinating set gathers all of his piano music, wonderfully played by Leon McCawley, in which Gál comes over as a highly refined composer with a sprightly imagination. - The Independent, 29 October 2005
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McCawley's rare artistry lifts Miami Piano Festival: McCawley's appearance as part of the Discovery Series conjured up memories of the late pianist Clifford Curzon...McCawley -- like Curzon -- concentrated on the musical values of his program and accomplished what many pianists strive for but few have the musicianship to achieve. - South Florida Sun-Sentinel
England's Leon McCawley took center stage on May 14 and offered an evening of sensitive, deeply felt music making.
McCawley's patrician musicianship and elegant pianism were indeed special.
The strong profile and florid musical line that he brought to Mozart's Fantasy in C Minor was mesmerizing.
In Schumann's lovely Kinderszenen, McCawley displayed supple lyricism and delicately sculpted phrasing.
McCawley played Mozart's Sonata in C Minor with brisk, classical precision.
The Adagio sang from his keyboard like a finely spun operatic aria.
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In Rachmaninoff's awesome Variations on a Theme of Corelli, McCawley commanded fervent power and wonderful romantic coloration.
Here was artistry of the highest order.
McCawley is a great and unique musician! - South Florida Entertainment News and Views
RECITAL, INTERNATIONAL PIANO SERIES, QUEEN ELIZABETH HALL, 8 MAY 2005
Leon McCawley is a pianist for whom the word "eloquent" could have been coined, combining as he does a wonderful sense of style with a discreetly telling manner of musical interpretation. - The Daily Telegraph, 'The Choice'
CD: SCHUMANN PIANO WORKS, AVIE RECORDS
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