Augusta Read Thomas: Terpsichore's Box of Dreams

"This outstanding release from Nimbus forms part of a long running survey of Thomas's work spanning some 30 years of music, but this album focuses on relatively recent work. The selection nonetheless showcases the breadth of her composition, both in its varied sonorities and creative subject matter... Beautifully performed  and recorded, the whole selection has the feeling of a musical treasure trove, resplendent in its sense of vitality, beauty and imaginative possibility." ***** BBC Music Magazine

"Terpsichore's Box of Dreams (2023), for chamber orchestra, is a work dedicated to dance; It is a series of seven dances joined into one. The technical quality of the Grossman Ensemble, conducted by Tim Weiss, is completely evident; Without hesitation they address the complexity of the work. It is worth noting that the surprising change in its peak manifests itself in the fifth dance, which disperses the previously accumulated tension. From Carnival ('Carnival', 2022) we can say that it is a concerto for bassoon, the instrument that appears as a surprisingly combative voice, which coincides with the pointed sound world established by the author. Laetitia's Caprice ('The Caprice of Laetitia'), for soprano saxophone, is a fanfare of sinuous movements and long notes that make up an expressive solo of lyrical depth. The two final works, Con Moto, for percussion quartet, and Bebop Riddle II ("Riddle Bebop II"), for cello and piano, written two years apart, are essentially autonomous, although they can be programmed together. They are works of a colorful amplitude and effective sounds." Marçal Borotau, Sonogram Magazine

"This outstanding release from Nimbus forms part of a long-running survey of Thomas’s work spanning some 30 years of music, but this album focuses on relatively recent work (the earliest piece included dates from 2018). The selection nonetheless showcases the breadth of her composition, both in its varied sonorities and creative subject matter... Beautifully performed and recorded, the whole selection has the feeling of a musical treasure trove, resplendent in its sense of vitality, beauty and imaginative possibility." Kate Wakeling, BBC Music Magazine 

"She has always excelled at chamber music, and this album of recent works is no exception; it is an especially effective show case of her strong and imaginative writing for wind, brass, and percussion. There are two glittering, complimentary works for percussion quartet: `Con Moto’ (2018) and`Star Box’ (2020)… The remaining works are for chamber orchestra; this is where Thomas’s glorious ear for kaleidoscopic colour shines.

In a class of its own, though, is Terpsichore’s Box of Dreams (2023), one of the most outstanding works for chamber orchestra I have heard in recent years. The endlessly flowing and erupting bouquets of colour, conversation, and mischief are utterly exhilarating. This is a piece I could listen to again and again and never tire of it. Needless to say this is a must-have album from one of America’s best and most interesting composers. Performances are universally excellent and sound is clear and full, ideal for these works." FARO, American Record Guide