Thomas
trotter
Press Notices
Organists’ Review
[Royal Festival Hall] “ …a
performance of pyrotechnical wizardry where great contrasts provided episodes
of exuberant colour. This was really enjoyable and fun stuff.”
“His playing captured the energy
and lyricism of the work, culminating in a furious cadenza for pedals alone in
which Trotter displayed some truly fancy footwork.”
Daily Telegraph
“The climax of the piece
[Barber’s Toccata Festiva] was a
combination of musical and athletic prowess: a punishing cadenza for the
organ’s pedals, which Trotter played with virtuosity and stamina.”
The Guardian
“Everything was magically crisp,
clear and crunchy – I’ve never heard Trotter play better.”
The Independent
“wondrous performance … Trotter –
one of the great Messiaen players … astonishingly musical playing .. from its
most introspective moments to its thunderous climaxes, the music was delivered
by Trotter with clarity and a profound sensitivity.”
The Herald
“With magnificent swirlings and
buttresses of sound from the hall’s organ in the closing solo, the sense of
arrival and exaltation was complete.”
The Daily Telegraph
[The Proms, Royal Albert Hall] "Bruckner was one of the organists invited to inaugurate the Albert Hall organ in 1871....But I doubt if even Bruckner would have been able to match the virtuosity of the amazingly gifted young player, Thomas Trotter, who seemed able to command more colors and resonances from the huge instrument than anyone before him."
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“Trotter showed style and imagination in his improvisations....” |
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CLEVELAND “Trotter played nimbly and with stylistic rightness … with sure technique and fine comprehension of the different styles involved.”
American Record
Guide
MADISON, WI [Inaugural concert at Overture Hall] “ORGAN DEDICATION HITS THE RIGHT NOTES: Throughout the evening Trotter charmed the audience with playful commentary, skillful playing and some fancy footwork…The performance was as stunning to hear as it was to watch.”
The Capital Times
“Trotter’s impeccable
articulation … Trotter’s deft footwork … A thunderous ovation … Overture Hall
is lucky to boast a landmark pipe organ, and it couldn’t have had a more able
advocate than Thomas Trotter.”
American Record Guide
[Royal Festival Hall] "....it may be worth emphasizing that Mr. Trotter's playing....combines an immaculate but undemonstrative technique with a penetrating, thinking musicality that is generally associated with artists twice his age. I think it was the best Festival Hall recital I have attended."
[Royal Festival Hall - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Andrew Litton, conducting Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3] "Thomas Trotter negotiated his prominent role with conspicuous dash."
HAMILTON, ONT "....the first chords....established that Thomas Trotter completely deserves his high repute in the organ world. His technical prowess, although it is able to make light of all problems, is, nevertheless, the servant of a musical intelligence that is both mature and versatile."
BIRMINGHAM [Birmingham Town Hall] "A capacity audience heard Thomas Trotter play a challenging program....with impressive artistry and the technical mastery that places him firmly in the top echelon of international recitalists....His performance of George Thalben-Ball's Variations on a Theme by Paganini for pedals alone was a tour-de-force of near unbelievable virtuosity ...This piece was chosen to display the versatility and flexibility of the newly rebuilt organ in addition to exposing Trotter's fabulous talent."
[City of
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BELFAST [Ulster Hall] "The program offered much for all tastes, and in everything he played, one was impressed not only by the technical ability of this splendid young musician, but also by the ease with which he explored the resources of this instrument and the absence of fuss and unnecessary movement."
Recording REVIEWs
Chanson de Matin; Sir Edward
Elgar – Works for Organ
-Thomas Trotter at the organ of Salisbury Cathedral
“Trotter’s musicianship and technique is of the highest order, the playing is compelling, and he marshals the resources of the instrument with great skill throughout.” “A first-rate performer, playing fine music, on the right instrument. What more could one ask for?”
Organists’
Review (August 2007)
Sounds Phenomenal: Thomas Trotter plays virtuoso Organ
Music at Symphony Hall
“Once again, Thomas Trotter sets out to prove virtuosity and succeeds mightily. The Klais is a virtuoso instrument; Symphony Hall is a virtuoso setting, and Trotter is simply the virtuoso. His programming is refreshingly charged, with a flow that keeps the classic and the contemporary interposed. “Phenomenal” is not an inappropriate word to describe this recording… Trotter is a phenomenal virtuoso; you’ll hear things you’ve never heard in pieces you’ve heard many, many times. Outstanding.”
The American Organist (June 2006)
Sounds Spectacular: Thomas Trotter plays organ showpieces
at Symphony Hall,
“Trotter’s
performances of Duruflé’s Suite and
Boëllmann’s Suite gothique are quite
simply the best on disc. … Trotter manages to combine a refined stylistic sense
and innate musical taste with fascinatingly detailed coloration and
breathtaking virtuosity. This is unquestionably one of the finest organ
recordings. I have ever heard, and confirms Trotter as one of today’s greatest
living organists.” 5 STARS
BBC Music Magazine
“There is much that is spectacular about what is heard. Anyone familiar with Thomas Trotter’s playing knows that it will be precise and economic, registered and embellished in the most elegant manner. The programming is to be complimented as well.”
The American Organist
“For
once a name like Sounds Spectacular
is apt. Trotter displays the spice and
breadth of the Klais organ in Symphony Hall.
There is a sizzling performance of Duruflé’s Suite Op. 5, and a suitably massive rendition of Böellmann’s Suite Gothique.”
Choir & Organ
“devastating
performance … exhilarating … very highly recommended.”
The Organ
Pulling Out All the Stops
“…in a spectacular demonstration encompassing composers from several ages and from around the world…Trotter’s technique is exemplary…Bravo, indeed!”
The American Organist
"Trotter is the Birmingham City Organist, having ascended to that prestigious honor in 1983 ....(Town hall instruments) served to acquaint the population with both the organ literature and a broad variety of transcriptions. The accent fell on virtuosity in performance. To this tradition has Trotter brilliantly been born."
"....played with absolute assurance by the City Organist. Trotter, more than any other organist I can readily think of, has the gift of great pianists in making light of technical difficulties...."
"If you want an organ record simply to enjoy the music and playing, run -- don't walk -- to get this disc. Trotter's knowledge and artistry in using the instrument is elegant and his playing is simply superb."
“vibrant and exciting … chimerically magic”
Choir & Organ
Liszt & Reubke
"Here is virtuoso stuff! Trotter offers a uniquely riveting performance of B.A.C.H.…The Reubke is given a mature reading, with the virtues of technical brilliance, emotional depth and use of organ color nicely balanced."
"....the virtuosity of Trotter's performance is electrifying."
The Musical Times
"Trotter's technical mastery of Liszt's idiom is nothing short of staggering."
Alain
"....played by one of the leading and most brilliant players of the present day. The result is totally compelling. Trotter has an instinctive intellectual grasp of Alain's oeuvre and the formidable technique to sail over its physical challenges....an overwhelming experience."
Dupré