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" Gary Cooper's unerring choice of tempo and ear for balance
ensured maximum impact and clarity..his direction gave the singers time to make
clear their words, whilst losing nothing in terms of excitement; his judgment
of tempi, balance and pace would be hard to surpass...G.C's direction was, in
every sense, most apt. There was a real sense of relaxed music-making among
friends, achieving a culminative tension and excitement that added up to a real
performance. The Tudeley Festival is fortunate to have such a close
relationship with this outstanding and fast-maturing musician...Frankly, it is
difficult to imagine a better sung, better played, and better directed
Creation."
Conducting the Band of Instruments/Haydn's Creation,
Tudeley Festival
[Tonbridge Courier, Jan. 01] |
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" With Gary Cooper lavishly working out the harmonic implications
on the harpsichord, this group sounded full, vibrant - like a well-rehearsed
band on modern instruments [sic!], in fact, though with a completely different
sound. The final Passacaille was superb... A magnificent concert."
Conducting the Band of Instruments/Charpentier's Circe
[Oxford Times, Jan. 01] |
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" G.C. projected a large scale structure to both concerts - not an
easy task...Cooper produces a remarkably sustained and resonant tone...[he has]
an amazing ability to hold the audience spellbound."
Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier Bk I & II/ Wigmore Hall
[Early Music Review, Feb. 01] |
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" Gary Cooper's interpretation of Book I is among the more
distinguished available, not least because of the clear facility he shares with
his chosen instrument and his already quite profound intellectual understanding
of the music itself."
Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier Bk I CD review
[Early Music Review, Feb. 01] |
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"AN IMPRESSIVE NEW VERSION OF BACH'S CONTRAPUNTAL
MASTERPIECE...Cooper's phrasing and articulation are well conceived..and a
natural sense of rubato removes any trace of stiffness..accomplished with
apparent ease. Cooper's overall approach is perhaps a touch more extrovert than
Moroney's and unfailingly musical with it...it is both essentially respectful
and refreshing to hear. Strongly recommended."
Bach: Well-Tempered Clavier Bk I CD review
[Gramophone, April 01] |
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"..a rising star in early music."
Concert review
[The Observer, Apr.01]
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"AN OUTSTANDING RECORDING..These performances have exceptional
musical vitality...I was impressed by the the rich implications the players
(pianist Gary Cooper most of all) drew from the textures and the harmonies. The
finale of the Eb work, too, is done with great spirit - here the pianist is
very much in the driving seat - and there are many happy details of timing and
dynamic gradation. Mozart's wit is beautifully captured in K493, yet this is a
deeply serious performance, strongly argued, with the mystery and logic of his
unusual modulations fully grasped. The first movement here..is particularly
successful, with Cooper taking his time over the expression of its
ideas."
Mozart Piano Quartets/Sonnerie CD review
[Gramophone, May 01] |
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"La musicalité des quatre chanteurs (ainsi que celle des
solistes instrumentaux), l'intérêt et l'à-propos
stylistique sont parfaits. Car il faut du goût, de l'esprit, de la mesure
mais aussi de l'expressivité pour donner vie à ces tableaux qui
semblent des "bo! nsaïs" de tragédie lyrique et ne sont
en rien des oeuvres mineures. Le claveciniste Gary Cooper, instigateur et
animateur de cette intégrale, y est parvenu."
Rameau Cantatas CD review
[Le Monde: Notre Selection hebdomadaire de disques, June
01] |
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"Cooper and his forces make a good case for it."
Rameau Cantatas CD review
[Gramophone, July 01] |
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"The stately pomp of Richard Goodson's ode Ormond's Glory is
vividly evoked by Gary Cooper and his musicians, the instrumental band
providing stylish support for the singers' bold declamations...and the
distinction of Cooper's playing [in Locke's Suite]..a repertoire that has
languished for too long on library shelves." Performance
×××××
Music from Ceremonial Oxford CD review
[BBC Music Magazine, July 01] |
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"It's always rather exciting when completely neglected pieces are
recorded for the first time. It's even more thrilling when the music turns out
to be buried treasure. The New Chamber Opera Ensemble turn in stylish and
enthusiastic performances. An enterprising recording which fascinates and
delights in equal measure."
Music from Ceremonial Oxford CD review
[International Record Review, July 01] |
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