Industry Quotes>

On the Magnificat

Jorge de Persia - La Vanguardia December ‘05

 ...It is also of a high musical level, very effective in terms of counterpoint, it is orchestrated clearly and precisely, and at the same time being a melodically expressive work. It is well written, filled with canon like figures, contrasts of color between vocal groups, rhythmic games in the Quia fecit, and subtle colors in the instruments and in the accessible solo parts. all of it very well executed by the girls of the choir. The result was then eloquent, given the capacity, enthusiasm and precision of the singers.
Xavier Chavarria – Revista Musical Catalana January ‘06

… Bacchus knows to perfection the possibilities of the Cor Vivaldi and he has written a work which is tailored to them: a very demanding piece without concessions, in a harmonic language on the borders of tonality, a timbrically rich work which is suggestive and effective, and which has some devilish rhythms. Cor Vivaldi resolved the challenges with great dignity, with admirable solo interventions and some very fine instrumental work, especially in the keyboards…As the Cor Vivaldi continues to consolidate and mature with this Magnificat, the piece will sound yet more in all it’s splendor. The titanic effort of the singers received a double reward: that of an unconditionally enthusiastic audience, which filled the hall to the gills, and that of their conductor (Óscar Boada), who congratulated them effusively and enthusiastically.

On Grup XXI

J.C.C. – Revista Musical Catalana December ‘06

…Flutist Peter Bacchus continues in his commendable work on behalf of contemporary music. Within it’s fall concert series, this upcoming December 14, Grup XXI offers a particularly significant concert with the presence in Barcelona for the first time of the pianist-composer Anthony Newman….
Albert Torrens – Revista Musical Catalana February ‘07

If it is said that contemporary music all sounds the same to some, then the fourth and last concert of the Grup XXI second concert season showed that belief to be patently untrue. Good taste relies in part on variety, and the program performed at the Barcelona Municipal Conservatory…communicated itself with an eclecticism of styles that brought out the contrasts, and which favored a clear compression of the various composers: the American Tobias Picker, the Argentinean Jorge Liderman, our very own Agustí Charles, and the renowned pianist Anthony Newman, who premiered his own chamber concerto at the very end of the concert.

What other musicians say

COMPOSERS
John Corigliano About his recent orchestral piece "The Wind in Tall Trees":
Congratulations, Peter! What a beautiful piece. I just finished listening to it, and I am SO impressed with your growth as a composer. It is atmospheric, technically superb, and holds the attention throughout. You should find orchestras eager to play it.
He is innately musical, and this results in work which combines his interest in new techniques and concepts with real musical foundation. I found his "Fantasy after Giovanni Gabrieli" fascinating and expert...
Anthony Newman I have known him both as player and composer for over 20 years. He is an excellent musician and fine composer.
John David Earnest About his recent orchestral piece "The Wind in Tall Trees":
It's a really fine piece, filled with wonderfully inventive orchestral colors (you must show me how you do some of those!) and atmospheric ideas - in all, I loved it.

CONDUCTORS
Ransom Wilson I really enjoy your music...you are not making a mistake concentrating on composition. You really have gift! Although your flute quartet is obviously a young work, it has a consistency of style and harmonic language which is encountered only rarely among composers of any age. I think it is quite possibly the finest quartet for flutes since Kuhlau. The brass piece makes it obvious that you have great future ahead of you as a composer. What you must not do, however, is limit yourself to chamber music. Your talent is too great to be confined only to small things. I would love to hear an orchestral work....I know it would be good.
Salvador Brotons Peter Bacchus is really a complete musician. He is talented in numerous areas: he is a flutist, composer, conductor, and a great teacher. His flute playing is truly amazing. He has one of the richest tones I have ever heard. It is powerful, has variety in dynamics and shades, certainly very beautiful. His sense of phrasing is excellent. His technique almost flawless, and he also possess a first class musicianship.
Besides his musicality, Peter is an enthusiastic and optimistic person, qualities that make him a real pleasure to work with. He is always very cooperative, determined, and hard worker.
Mark Gibson Mr. Bacchus is an exceptional and unique talent, equally gifted as a conductor, composer, teacher and performer. He has a keen musical perspective, seeks and achieves the highest musical standards form the podium and is a wonderful colleague as well.
He has consistently demonstrated outstanding abilities as a teacher and perfomer. His knowledge both of the flute repertoire and of flute technique is comprehensive and authoritative. Becuse he is also a composer, he has unusual insights into the structure of music.

FLUTISTS
Julius Baker Peter Bacchus is an excellent flutist and musician.
Keith Underwood He is an extremely talented and creative flutist, skilled in many styles of music. He is also a fine composer who writes beautifully for the flute.
Peter is an experienced performer and recitalist. His programs are imaginatively conceived.
Robert Dick He is, above all, an excellent musician well grounded in the classical flute tradition. Further, he is a complete musician who can conduct, compose, improvise and interpret.
Claudi Arimany To me he represents what I would consider to be the best of the " american school" of flute playing. He has a robust but flexible and expressive sound and very solid technique. He has an excellent understanding of the flute and he brings special insight to his playing because he is so well rounded as a musician. I consider him a very fine composer as well. A movement of a flute quartet of his was also played in this recent concert, and it is a very attractive piece.
He brings all of his insight and knowledge of music to his playing in a very natural way, which makes his interpretations energetic and compelling, but at the same time they are always musical and songful. In addition Peter is a highly communicative and energetic person who connects with people easily.

INSTRUMENTALISTS
Gary Kosloski He is, above all, an excellent musician well grounded in the classical flute tradition. Further, he is a complete musician who can conduct, compose, improvise and interpret.
Peter is both an excellent flutist and composer. Every summer he performed one of his original flute compositions, which were compelling and brilliant. I also heard a CD of some of his other works, which I hope he sends along in his application -- fascinating stuff. Peter's work with the students was also exemplary, and he took on some pretty ambitious scores, including the Schoenberg Kammersymphonie. Not only is he a serious, gifted and thoughtful musician, but he is first-class human being. Peter is cooperative, positive and geniune; one who would make a good personality fit anywhere.
Peter is a triple-threat: a brilliant flutist, a dedicated and compelling composer, and a gifted and thoughtful conductor. His background and musical associations are enviable.
This broad base of experience brings a depth to his approach to music that is not often encountered, and this was especially exemplified by his conducting of the Schoenberg Chamber Symphony . His work with the students on all levels was generous, dedicated and greatly appreciated.
Perhaps even more important, I would like to add that Peter Bacchus is as fine and sincere a spirit as one could hope to find. He is a terrific colleague, a knowledgeable and well-rounded musician, and a splendid human being. In the world of music, this is a combination that is rare.