Bonnocks Set
Chris Norman & David Greenberg - duo
Scottish and baroque music are the main root elements. Eighteenth-century Scottish music in particular cries out for an unusually large and unconventional palette of stylistic interpretations because its very nature defies classification as either folk or art music. Chris Norman & David Greenberg's duo sound has been honed over decades of collaboration & represents the ultimate in musical transparency and creative urgency: Let Me In This Ae Night!
"David Greenberg's agile partnering of Chris Norman and his various sizes of flute left listeners with the impression of two lithely vocal lines with sweetly complimentary harmonics and interlocking, subtle fundamentals. This was magical, in fact. . . I enjoyed every minute of it, and was particularly impressed by the seamless transitions among the various styles included . . . brilliantly programmed and executed by the duo."
The Boston Musical Intelligencer
Duff (William Marshall tunes)
Buy Now or
download at iTunes.
The quartet album with Lisa Milne, Daniel Johnston and Mary Ann Kennedy
Concerto Caledonia is Scotland's baroque ensemble, specializing in the music of 18th century Scotland played on period instruments; but that's just the tip of the iceberg from this extraordinary ensemble.
five centuries of Scottish music, and some other stuff too
Boxwood BOX-905
Full track listing and previews at www.myspace.com/lioncd
The recording of the year. Everyone should own this disc.
The Herald
listen on spotify
As I Went Out Upon The Ice Babe In The Wood
Buy Now or
download at iTunes.
THE CHRIS NORMAN ENSEMBLE
Chris Norman- flutes, pipes, vocals
James Blachly- bass, vocals
Nick Halley- percussion, vocals, harmonium
Andy Thurston- guitar, mandola, vocals
An inspired musical celebration of the Winter season drawn from the roots of Canada's Maritime musical heritage. The Chris Norman Ensemble's lively arrangements with flutes, pipes, guitar, mandolin, mandola, harmonium, piano, bass, percussion and more.
" . . .a flute player of spectacular & imaginative virtuosity" -- The New Yorker Magazine
"A flute superstar . . .the musicianship just came wailing out" -- Toronto Globe & Mail
"The finest wooden flute player in the world . . .and few that have heard him play would dispute that description." -- Halifax Mail Star
" . . .The Chris Norman Ensemble wondrously demonstrated that classical and folk need not necessarily be separate entities at all. They can intertwine to enchanting effect . . .Norman's agility with his wooden flutes was exceptional, as was his way of conveying the expressive heart of each piece. He has formed a marvelous ensemble of like-minded musicians." -- Cleveland Plain Dealer
Meg Meriless & Willy Davie
Buy Now or
download at iTunes.
THE CHRIS NORMAN ENSEMBLE
Chris Norman- flutes, pipes, vocals
James Blachly- bass, vocals
Nick Halley- percussion, vocals, harmonium
Andy Thurston- guitar, mandola, vocals
The groundbreaking recording from the Chris Noman Ensemble bringing to life the traditional music of Scotland that has long been associated with the flute.
"Chris Norman is one of the most exciting flute players today. . . [He] is able to create so much expression with grace and clarity in his playing, and he knows how to arrange a tune for maximum impact and effect. ...It 's obvious when listening to Norman play that he has a deep and irrevocable connection to folk music. Whether playing an Irish, Canadian, or American tune, Norman captures the essence of the people behind the music in his delightful phrasing, gentle lilt, and unquestionable passion. Norman's clear, pure tone is matched only by the soul he breathes into his music." -- Green Man Review
" . . .Chris Norman's easy technical prowess seems to inspire the other instrumentalists to heights of laid-back virtuosity." -- Early Music Review
"One of the warmest, loveliest tines ever heard by the human ear . . .Chris Norman is a master. -- The Herald, Provo UT
Allegro-Sonata
Buy Now or
download at iTunes.
Chris Norman - flutes
Byron Schenkman - harpsichord, virginal
Two of the foremost exponents of their instruments in North America bring to life music of the 18th century Scottish enlightenment with works by Oswald, McGibbon, Reid, Barsanti and Veracini;
" . . .one of music's most talented performers. Norman is certainly a special musician. In solos or accompaniments, Norman brilliantly spun out delicate phrase after phrase, bridging the centuries-wide gap to make the music ours. . . With whoops more reminiscent of a pop concert, it could have set purists on their collective ears were it not for the fact that these guys [The Chris Norman Ensemble] could do it all . . . it was charmin' Norman's night, whether hovering expertly between several flutes or pumping the bellows of the Scottish small pipes. He is a star in this Celtic crossover firmament, titillating with triple-tonguing and then turning around to caress a folk melody as if it were the best of Mozart." -- Pittsburgh Post Gazette
"I was recently heard to remark that it would be wonderful to feel as at home with anything as Chris Norman seems to be with his flutes, and this CD is further evidence if any were needed of the exceptional talent and musicality he possesses. His playing of this repertoire is never less than utterly convincing . . .musical characters such as Chris Norman are rare in any generation . . ." -- Early Music
"In the spotlight on several numbers was flutist/bagpiper Chris Norman. Norman is a commanding, expressive player. He sails through dances with endless energy, giving the sort of continuous circular motion to his phrases that makes it tough to just sit still and listen. These pieces demand actual dancing. Norman plays with the expressive freedom of a singer and the improvisational freedom of a jazz player. He manages colorful, controlled sounds and accurate pitch even from instruments as unwieldy as the bellows-operated bagpipes or as cantankerous as a keyless Renaissance flute." -- Milwaukee Sentinel
" . . . pleased to hear the distinctive, virtuoso flute playing of Chris Norman, unquestionably the world's foremost performer of this [Scottish Baroque] repertoire (and a consummate musician by any standard), whose wide-ranging skills are on display as both soloist and accompanist." -- Classics Today
Bonnocks Set
Chris Norman & David Greenberg - duo
Scottish and baroque music are the main root elements. Eighteenth-century Scottish music in particular cries out for an unusually large and unconventional palette of stylistic interpretations because its very nature defies classification as either folk or art music. Chris Norman & David Greenberg's duo sound has been honed over decades of collaboration & represents the ultimate in musical transparency and creative urgency: Let Me In This Ae Night!
"David Greenberg's agile partnering of Chris Norman and his various sizes of flute left listeners with the impression of two lithely vocal lines with sweetly complimentary harmonics and interlocking, subtle fundamentals. This was magical, in fact. . . I enjoyed every minute of it, and was particularly impressed by the seamless transitions among the various styles included . . . brilliantly programmed and executed by the duo."
The Boston Musical Intelligencer
Duff (William Marshall tunes)
Buy Now or
download at iTunes.
The quartet album with Lisa Milne, Daniel Johnston and Mary Ann Kennedy
Concerto Caledonia is Scotland's baroque ensemble, specializing in the music of 18th century Scotland played on period instruments; but that's just the tip of the iceberg from this extraordinary ensemble.
five centuries of Scottish music, and some other stuff too
Boxwood BOX-905
Full track listing and previews at www.myspace.com/lioncd
The recording of the year. Everyone should own this disc.
The Herald
listen on spotify
As I Went Out Upon The Ice Babe In The Wood
Buy Now or
download at iTunes.
THE CHRIS NORMAN ENSEMBLE
Chris Norman- flutes, pipes, vocals
James Blachly- bass, vocals
Nick Halley- percussion, vocals, harmonium
Andy Thurston- guitar, mandola, vocals
An inspired musical celebration of the Winter season drawn from the roots of Canada's Maritime musical heritage. The Chris Norman Ensemble's lively arrangements with flutes, pipes, guitar, mandolin, mandola, harmonium, piano, bass, percussion and more.
" . . .a flute player of spectacular & imaginative virtuosity" -- The New Yorker Magazine
"A flute superstar . . .the musicianship just came wailing out" -- Toronto Globe & Mail
"The finest wooden flute player in the world . . .and few that have heard him play would dispute that description." -- Halifax Mail Star
" . . .The Chris Norman Ensemble wondrously demonstrated that classical and folk need not necessarily be separate entities at all. They can intertwine to enchanting effect . . .Norman's agility with his wooden flutes was exceptional, as was his way of conveying the expressive heart of each piece. He has formed a marvelous ensemble of like-minded musicians." -- Cleveland Plain Dealer
Meg Meriless & Willy Davie
Buy Now or
download at iTunes.
THE CHRIS NORMAN ENSEMBLE
Chris Norman- flutes, pipes, vocals
James Blachly- bass, vocals
Nick Halley- percussion, vocals, harmonium
Andy Thurston- guitar, mandola, vocals
The groundbreaking recording from the Chris Noman Ensemble bringing to life the traditional music of Scotland that has long been associated with the flute.
"Chris Norman is one of the most exciting flute players today. . . [He] is able to create so much expression with grace and clarity in his playing, and he knows how to arrange a tune for maximum impact and effect. ...It 's obvious when listening to Norman play that he has a deep and irrevocable connection to folk music. Whether playing an Irish, Canadian, or American tune, Norman captures the essence of the people behind the music in his delightful phrasing, gentle lilt, and unquestionable passion. Norman's clear, pure tone is matched only by the soul he breathes into his music." -- Green Man Review
" . . .Chris Norman's easy technical prowess seems to inspire the other instrumentalists to heights of laid-back virtuosity." -- Early Music Review
"One of the warmest, loveliest tines ever heard by the human ear . . .Chris Norman is a master. -- The Herald, Provo UT
Allegro-Sonata
Buy Now or
download at iTunes.
Chris Norman - flutes
Byron Schenkman - harpsichord, virginal
Two of the foremost exponents of their instruments in North America bring to life music of the 18th century Scottish enlightenment with works by Oswald, McGibbon, Reid, Barsanti and Veracini;
" . . .one of music's most talented performers. Norman is certainly a special musician. In solos or accompaniments, Norman brilliantly spun out delicate phrase after phrase, bridging the centuries-wide gap to make the music ours. . . With whoops more reminiscent of a pop concert, it could have set purists on their collective ears were it not for the fact that these guys [The Chris Norman Ensemble] could do it all . . . it was charmin' Norman's night, whether hovering expertly between several flutes or pumping the bellows of the Scottish small pipes. He is a star in this Celtic crossover firmament, titillating with triple-tonguing and then turning around to caress a folk melody as if it were the best of Mozart." -- Pittsburgh Post Gazette
"I was recently heard to remark that it would be wonderful to feel as at home with anything as Chris Norman seems to be with his flutes, and this CD is further evidence if any were needed of the exceptional talent and musicality he possesses. His playing of this repertoire is never less than utterly convincing . . .musical characters such as Chris Norman are rare in any generation . . ." -- Early Music
"In the spotlight on several numbers was flutist/bagpiper Chris Norman. Norman is a commanding, expressive player. He sails through dances with endless energy, giving the sort of continuous circular motion to his phrases that makes it tough to just sit still and listen. These pieces demand actual dancing. Norman plays with the expressive freedom of a singer and the improvisational freedom of a jazz player. He manages colorful, controlled sounds and accurate pitch even from instruments as unwieldy as the bellows-operated bagpipes or as cantankerous as a keyless Renaissance flute." -- Milwaukee Sentinel
" . . . pleased to hear the distinctive, virtuoso flute playing of Chris Norman, unquestionably the world's foremost performer of this [Scottish Baroque] repertoire (and a consummate musician by any standard), whose wide-ranging skills are on display as both soloist and accompanist." -- Classics Today