★★★★★ “Not so long ago, percussion concerts were few and far between. With the explosion of virtuoso solo performers in recent decades, namely such Scots as Colin Currie and Evelyn Glennie, the repertoire has equally mushroomed. Here are two hugely engaging examples from the pen of anarchic Viennese composer HK Gruber, played by Currie. Rough Music dates back to the early 1980s, and is a menagerie of conflicting styles sculpted cinematically as one bracing, exhilarating rollercoaster ride. Currie’s partnership with the BBC Philharmonic (under Juanjo Mena) is edge-of-the-seat brilliant, not without reflective mistique in Gruber’s courteous references (most obviously to Satie), but memorable mostly for its riotous flamboyance and infectious whimsy. He joins the same orchestra, under John Storgårds, for “into the open….”, written for Currie in 2010. As a tribute to Gruber’s late friend and mentor David Drew it elicits deeper, challenging thoughts, yet is anything but sombre.“
The Scotsman
★★★★★ “The works of the Austrian composer H. K. Gruber contain a witty fantasy that is unleashed on a wide range of percussion instruments. Percussionist Colin Currie released two percussion concerts by Gruber with his own record label and plays solo parts with great swing. In an earlier Rough Music concert (1983), overlapping passages are entertaining. The into the open… concerto composed for Currie in 2015 is a bit more serious in tone but at least as pulling. The collaboration between the BBC Philharmonic, conductors Juanjo Mena and John Storgårds in various concerts, and Colin Currie is great to hear.”
Helsingin Sanomat
"The single-span into the open... was written for Currie, whose vivid performances of both works appear on his own label. Gruber’s deft fusion of complexity and directness is always fascinating, as is the alliance of kaleidoscopic colour and symphonic architecture."
The Sunday Times
"Here is percussion virtuoso Colin Currie with a pair of highly contrasted works by Austrian maverick HK Gruber... Multitasking on marimba, plate bells, howl gongs, bongos, congas and other multifarious drums, Currie is impressive as always, a fine champion for both pieces in the company of the BBC Philharmonic under, respectively, Juanjo Mena and John Storgårds."
Financial Times
"...it’s sensational!... under the hammers of Colin Currie the derring-do turns on a pin to aching poignancy, and musical references fly by."
BBC Record Review
"A welcome addition to Scottish percussionist Colin Currie’s endlessly fascinating discography – as well as to Austrian maverick HK Gruber’s . . . One could hardly ask for a better soloist in either piece than Currie, who’s one of the most invigorating percussionists on the scene today."
Arts Fuse
"Currie is, of course, magnificent throughout, whether in the more contemplative moments on marimba or vibraphone, pummelling a drum set, or dashing between Japanese gongs and tom-toms."
Herald Scotland
"Gutsily supported by the BBC Philharmonic, Colin Currie proves a brilliant advocate... With textures bursting at the seams, Currie’s performance matches the composer’s charisma."
BBC Music Magazine
"Stylistically multifaceted and intellectually moving percussion concerts … An important addition to the still rather limited discography in the field."
Hufvudstadsbladet,
"A performance of gripping intensity, enthralling drive and extended emotional sphere, with aching lyricism, menace and caustic wit, Currie, the BBC Philharmonic and Mena provide the listener with a series of quasi-operatic scenes, each profoundly engaging and thoroughly ravishing ... Currie’s fourth release on his own label makes a substantial addition to the catalogue, one not to be missed."
Adventures in Music