Reviews
Chorale for Three Bassoons by ...... Colin Decio brings a new voice to New Zealand composition, exploring a rich sound world almost Russian in its intensity."
Dame Gillian Whitehead
Wonderful Sonata! Wonderful Sonata!”
John Ogdon - after premiering the Waltz movement from Piano Sonata no.1
This (violin) concerto is full of passionate outbursts interspersed with introvert sections. It is deeply beautiful”
Andrew Downes - composer
That Decio piece was frightening!"
Audience member at the premiere of 'and the moon is dead' for organ
What wonderful lyricism!"
(Piano Concerto No.2) - John Humphreys - pianist
Colin’s energy and commitment to performing and composing has been a source of enduring discussion and inspiration".
- Mark Tanner - pianist
Review of Symphony No.1
"Vandalism in the Cathedral in 2002 was the inspirational spur for the world premiere of Cheltenham composer Colin Decio's Gloucester Symphony.
Dedicated to the cathedral and city of Gloucester, the atmospheric work represents hope and defiance. Beginning with solo clarinet, playing a simple motif based on an augmented fourth which is then developed throughout, the composition proved interesting, descriptive and melodic. Dynamic contrasts were effective together with the scoring for handbells, organ, triple wind and percussion.The inclusion of choral work presented a tranquil fitting Finale returning to the Latin and a cappella singing familiar to the cathedral.This work provoked much discussion amongst concert-goers and is well-deserving of future performances."
- Jill Bacon Glos. Echo
"Vandalism in the Cathedral in 2002 was the inspirational spur for the world premiere of Cheltenham composer Colin Decio's Gloucester Symphony.
Dedicated to the cathedral and city of Gloucester, the atmospheric work represents hope and defiance. Beginning with solo clarinet, playing a simple motif based on an augmented fourth which is then developed throughout, the composition proved interesting, descriptive and melodic. Dynamic contrasts were effective together with the scoring for handbells, organ, triple wind and percussion.The inclusion of choral work presented a tranquil fitting Finale returning to the Latin and a cappella singing familiar to the cathedral.This work provoked much discussion amongst concert-goers and is well-deserving of future performances."
- Jill Bacon Glos. Echo
Review of songs by Colin Decio
"such distinctive music."
"...a very definite, individual and attractive musical voice.”
“Song-writing of that quality is a gift not given to many."
"It is fascinating to hear what aural images you create in response to the poetry."
- Peter Smith (Director of the Malvern Festival)
"His compositional style reflects his Ukrainian heritage with echoes of Shostakovich, yet is entirely original in his harmonic language, melodies and articulations."
- Robert Oliver of Palliser Viols
Review of live concert
“The finest performance came in Cotswold Love, where the pianist’s most beautiful introduction
continued to mingle lush and interesting textures…”
- Jill Hopkins (Malvern Gazette)
"The album (Cotswold Songs CD) presents a breadth and strength not commonly found in
contemporary recordings”.
“Powerful and thought provoking." -
“…simple childlike beauty.”
- Musician (Union) Magazine
“A talent such as this deserves a greater and more frequent airing.”
- local critic
Audience responses to a live performance of The Jews of Old Prague for string quartet
Musical Box Suite
"Film-like simplicity."
- Colin MacIntyre (The Scotsman)
Symphony No.2 premiere 2005
"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 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 Glos. Echo
Five Songs of England
"His (Decio's) setting of Edward Thomas's most famous poem, Adlestrop, was particularly accomplished"
- Roger Jones Glos. Echo
Review of Souvenir D'Anne Frank - based on 'Het Achterhuis' for Piano Trio
"The set for this thought-provoking and moving production of Souvenir d’Anne Frank is simply a bare patch on the stage, encircled by earth and rubble which is dotted with white roses. This circle can be what the action requires: the confining limits of a hidden warehouse attic in Amsterdam, the crater of an atomic bomb, the eternal circle of life. Within the circle, two actresses, Elizabeth Mansfield and Azusa Ono, tell a story through words, songs and movement. It is the tragic story of the ill-fated Frank family, who hid in the Dutch attic for two years before being betrayed to the Germans and taken to Bergen-Belsen and Auschwitz. It tells how Otto Frank came to terms with the deaths of his wife and daughters, Margot and Anne, and how, when a Belgian rose grower created a new rose from one made in the year of Anne’s birth and one from the year of her death, Otto sent twelve of the rose bushes, named ‘Souvenir d’Anne Frank’, to Japan. One of the bushes survived, and, through cuttings, roses now bloom in the gardens of Hiroshima and every other Japanese city, as symbols of peace, universal love and reconciliation. In the background, we also hear extracts from the diary of Anne Frank, and the memories of Miep Gies, the Dutch woman who helped to keep the family safe from the Germans, and a trio of musicians, composer and pianist Colin Decio, violinist Catalin Chelaru, and cellist Philip Handy, provide a haunting background to the, at times, harrowing, but always uplifting story."
- Ron Powls, Goole Times.
“Congratulations on this piece... I have seen many Anne Frank inspired productions but this was something different and special. It was also an extremely enlightening feedback session. Great to hear a genuine and honest response from members of the audience, especially young people, really understanding why Anne's story should still be told...really getting it's relevance to here and now. It was also pleasing to hear their praise for an excellent piece of work. The Brechtian influence was inspired and the music is tremendous...This is such a timely piece. We (The Anne Frank Trust UK) have been searching for a creative piece to get behind for many years...the right piece just hasn't materialised but that has changed with this.”
- Jamie Arden: National Programmes Manager, The Anne Frank Trust UK
“...The whole thing was very powerful and emotional and I thought the theatrical style enhanced the music, which is wonderful...”
- Rina Rosselson: Aged 76
Palmerston North Lunchtime Concert - Colin Decio & Ingrid Prosser ‘Poetry & Piano’
"The small but appreciative audience on June 1st was treated to a concert that combined the beauty of poetry with the stunning majesty of music. The concert started with an expressive recitation by Ingrid from William Wordsworth's (1770 -1850) "Ode on Intimations of Immortality” (Recollections of Early Childhood) which took the audience on a creative journey. Next, Colin performed Shostakovich's (1906 - 1975) prelude in C (from Prelude & Fugue op 87 no 1) with a delicate and flowing style. The audience was then treated to a selection of Ingrid's poetry starting with "Winter Star" which conjured up the image of a glistering starscape. This was followed by "Arrivals in Ohakune" which captured the excitement of a journey through a snowy landscape. "White Heart" was a poem that ranged from the gentle to the dramatic. The final poem "Goose” struck a real chord with the audience as it told the story of our Centennial lagoon with its natural life and recreational pursuits and a sense of the life lost in the lagoon after being cut off from the river. We then were treated to Colin's own composition "Two Estampe" with the first part conveying the picture of a vibrant dance with all its glamour and spectacle. We then moved into the second part which started with the gentle tune of a bubbling brook moving to the crescendo of a rushing river. Ingrid then beautifully recited "Sonnets from the Portuguese" 8, 10, 43, 44 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861) which captures a song of Elizabeth's romantic love for her intended husband Robert Browning and their escape to Italy. Ingrid's reading brought to vibrant life this chronicle of love. The concert concluded in spectacular fashion with Colin's performance of Chopin's (1810 -1849) Ballade No 1 with its waves of sparkling music rising to a crescendo and then rippling away to silence. This concert was absolutely stunning and we very much look forward to an encore performance!"
Lunchtime Concert at Old St. Paul's, Wellington
"It was a privilege to have Colin Decio and Ingrid Prosser at Old St Paul’s recently. Ingrid’s beautiful interpretation of both her own and a range of other person’s poetry was a delight. Having it interspersed with Colin’s superb mastery on the Old St Paul’s heritage grand piano ensured a most enjoyable lunchtime concert that was appreciated by all who attended."
- Marie Gillies, Friends of Old St. Paul's
"such distinctive music."
"...a very definite, individual and attractive musical voice.”
“Song-writing of that quality is a gift not given to many."
"It is fascinating to hear what aural images you create in response to the poetry."
- Peter Smith (Director of the Malvern Festival)
"His compositional style reflects his Ukrainian heritage with echoes of Shostakovich, yet is entirely original in his harmonic language, melodies and articulations."
- Robert Oliver of Palliser Viols
Review of live concert
“The finest performance came in Cotswold Love, where the pianist’s most beautiful introduction
continued to mingle lush and interesting textures…”
- Jill Hopkins (Malvern Gazette)
"The album (Cotswold Songs CD) presents a breadth and strength not commonly found in
contemporary recordings”.
“Powerful and thought provoking." -
“…simple childlike beauty.”
- Musician (Union) Magazine
“A talent such as this deserves a greater and more frequent airing.”
- local critic
Audience responses to a live performance of The Jews of Old Prague for string quartet
- “I loved the music, it was beautifully played and a wonderful composition.”
- “The audience was really moved by the performance of your composition The Jews of Old Prague".
- “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...”
Musical Box Suite
"Film-like simplicity."
- Colin MacIntyre (The Scotsman)
Symphony No.2 premiere 2005
"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 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 Glos. Echo
Five Songs of England
"His (Decio's) setting of Edward Thomas's most famous poem, Adlestrop, was particularly accomplished"
- Roger Jones Glos. Echo
Review of Souvenir D'Anne Frank - based on 'Het Achterhuis' for Piano Trio
"The set for this thought-provoking and moving production of Souvenir d’Anne Frank is simply a bare patch on the stage, encircled by earth and rubble which is dotted with white roses. This circle can be what the action requires: the confining limits of a hidden warehouse attic in Amsterdam, the crater of an atomic bomb, the eternal circle of life. Within the circle, two actresses, Elizabeth Mansfield and Azusa Ono, tell a story through words, songs and movement. It is the tragic story of the ill-fated Frank family, who hid in the Dutch attic for two years before being betrayed to the Germans and taken to Bergen-Belsen and Auschwitz. It tells how Otto Frank came to terms with the deaths of his wife and daughters, Margot and Anne, and how, when a Belgian rose grower created a new rose from one made in the year of Anne’s birth and one from the year of her death, Otto sent twelve of the rose bushes, named ‘Souvenir d’Anne Frank’, to Japan. One of the bushes survived, and, through cuttings, roses now bloom in the gardens of Hiroshima and every other Japanese city, as symbols of peace, universal love and reconciliation. In the background, we also hear extracts from the diary of Anne Frank, and the memories of Miep Gies, the Dutch woman who helped to keep the family safe from the Germans, and a trio of musicians, composer and pianist Colin Decio, violinist Catalin Chelaru, and cellist Philip Handy, provide a haunting background to the, at times, harrowing, but always uplifting story."
- Ron Powls, Goole Times.
“Congratulations on this piece... I have seen many Anne Frank inspired productions but this was something different and special. It was also an extremely enlightening feedback session. Great to hear a genuine and honest response from members of the audience, especially young people, really understanding why Anne's story should still be told...really getting it's relevance to here and now. It was also pleasing to hear their praise for an excellent piece of work. The Brechtian influence was inspired and the music is tremendous...This is such a timely piece. We (The Anne Frank Trust UK) have been searching for a creative piece to get behind for many years...the right piece just hasn't materialised but that has changed with this.”
- Jamie Arden: National Programmes Manager, The Anne Frank Trust UK
“...The whole thing was very powerful and emotional and I thought the theatrical style enhanced the music, which is wonderful...”
- Rina Rosselson: Aged 76
Palmerston North Lunchtime Concert - Colin Decio & Ingrid Prosser ‘Poetry & Piano’
"The small but appreciative audience on June 1st was treated to a concert that combined the beauty of poetry with the stunning majesty of music. The concert started with an expressive recitation by Ingrid from William Wordsworth's (1770 -1850) "Ode on Intimations of Immortality” (Recollections of Early Childhood) which took the audience on a creative journey. Next, Colin performed Shostakovich's (1906 - 1975) prelude in C (from Prelude & Fugue op 87 no 1) with a delicate and flowing style. The audience was then treated to a selection of Ingrid's poetry starting with "Winter Star" which conjured up the image of a glistering starscape. This was followed by "Arrivals in Ohakune" which captured the excitement of a journey through a snowy landscape. "White Heart" was a poem that ranged from the gentle to the dramatic. The final poem "Goose” struck a real chord with the audience as it told the story of our Centennial lagoon with its natural life and recreational pursuits and a sense of the life lost in the lagoon after being cut off from the river. We then were treated to Colin's own composition "Two Estampe" with the first part conveying the picture of a vibrant dance with all its glamour and spectacle. We then moved into the second part which started with the gentle tune of a bubbling brook moving to the crescendo of a rushing river. Ingrid then beautifully recited "Sonnets from the Portuguese" 8, 10, 43, 44 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861) which captures a song of Elizabeth's romantic love for her intended husband Robert Browning and their escape to Italy. Ingrid's reading brought to vibrant life this chronicle of love. The concert concluded in spectacular fashion with Colin's performance of Chopin's (1810 -1849) Ballade No 1 with its waves of sparkling music rising to a crescendo and then rippling away to silence. This concert was absolutely stunning and we very much look forward to an encore performance!"
Lunchtime Concert at Old St. Paul's, Wellington
"It was a privilege to have Colin Decio and Ingrid Prosser at Old St Paul’s recently. Ingrid’s beautiful interpretation of both her own and a range of other person’s poetry was a delight. Having it interspersed with Colin’s superb mastery on the Old St Paul’s heritage grand piano ensured a most enjoyable lunchtime concert that was appreciated by all who attended."
- Marie Gillies, Friends of Old St. Paul's
"Colin’s music, which consists of over 300 works, has a bittersweet nuance; it seems to smile and frown, both in alternation and occasionally simultaneously. Colin is particularly effective in his solo piano and vocal writing, although his ingenuity and breadth of musicianship extends far further into chamber music, concertos and instrumental works, too: his also an accomplished classical and jazz pianist, bazouki player, accompanist, singer, guitarist and MD on cruise ships. Colin’s energy and commitment to performing and composing has been a source of enduring discussion and inspiration. The late John Ogdon performed Colin’s Piano Sonata No.1 in Birmingham, virtually at the drop of a hat, and Colin would later compose a work in the great pianist’s memory: Elegy for John Ogdon".
- Mark Tanner - pianist