Reviews, Awards and Masterclasses
Reviews
The Gloucester Symphony (Symphony no.1)
'This work is well-deserving of future performances'
- Jill Bacon Glos. Echo
'Wonderful Sonata, Wonderful Sonata!'
- John Ogdon after premiering the 1st Piano Sonata.
'A very definite, individual and attractive musical voice.
Song writing of that quality is a gift not given to many.'
- Peter Smith Director Malvern Festival
'Decio himself proved why he has an impressive collection of prizes for piano performance'
- local critic.
'Decio on piano evoked with grim intensity the rumbling trains transporting their victims to the concentration camps.'
- Roger Jones critic for Glos. Echo.
'I loved the music, it was beautifully played and a wonderful composition.'
- student from Randolph High School, USA
'The music was simply beautiful..it was haunting...it was heartfelt...and the musicians received quite an applause.....I cannot begin to tell you how moving and powerful it was.'
- student from Randolph High School, USA
'Colin Decio's Cheltenham Symphony, dedicated to MP Nigel Jones, had a brooding first movement which evoked the horrors of war with a rawness reminiscent of Shostakovich. The second movement was a slow plaintive chorale for strings in the English pastoral tradition. The more positive third movement, with its swirling strings, confident brass and percussion solos conjured up the bustle of life in Cheltenham. David Curtis' thoughtful conducting succeeded in bringing out the intensity and visionary nature of Decio's music.'
- Roger Jones critic for Glos. Echo.
Awards
- The Burke Trophy for Advanced Piano
- The John Ireland Chamber Music Prize
- The BMI Composition Prize
- Piano section of the Ludlow Philharmonic Concerto Competition
Masterclasses
Colin has enjoyed masterclasses in both piano and composition with - John Ogdon, Robert Saxton, John Joubert, Bryan Kelly, Ernst Meyer and Robert Simpson.