Reviews

“Murphy is a musician with “guts”: a conductor with the passion and conviction of a born missionary. He serves his music up to his audience con spirito and presto energico.” De Volkskrant (NL)

“The repertoire-refresher, conductor Simon Murphy radiates joie de vivre. His interpretation distinguishes itself by its enthusiasm and his approach possesses a classic élan, displaying delicate sensitivity” 5 Stars. Diapason (F)

“Murphy’s music making is full of imagination, great love and unstoppable drive” NRC Handelsblad (NL)

“The hottest property on the European Baroque scene, Simon Murphy, puts flesh on the cobwebbed skeletons of Haydn’s predecessors and drags musicology into the hypercritical glare of the contemporary concert platform with full-blooded glorious mellifluous playing replete with swashbuckling dynamic contrasts, piquant continuo parts and soaring Mannheim rockets” The Australian (AU)

“Conductor Simon Murphy distinguishes himself through highly interesting programme concepts and unbridled musical drive. … He creates a dynamic, propulsive and captivating musical experience – music making which surges forward and sweeps you away with it, like a river with a powerful, never ending current – flowing and swinging.” Delftsche Courant (NL)

“Sumptuous, vibrant, energetic and wonderfully secure playing” Gramophone (UK)

“Daring and full of character, Murphy brings the melodic figures and rhetorical effects in Mannheim symphonies to life with a fantastic flair – energising performances of this music” Haagsche Courant (NL)

“Breathtaking. Compelling, technically brilliant and unusually effervescent! Murphy has it all – verve and pulsating temperament – presented with the finest finesse. A sensational interpretation!” Concerto (D)

“Swinging and persuasive … Murphy makes the music of the Mannheim masters come alive. Finally the Mannheimers sound like they should – the of joy the new, the excitement of the sense of discovery, the euphoric rush of a Mannheim skyrocket!” Het Parool (NL)

“Murphy exhibits liveliness and groove, great dynamic profile and a beautiful use of timbre” Frankfurter Neue Presse (D)

“Murphy has a talent for invigorating the repertoire with energy and conviction. … Murphy highlights the technical intricacies of the Baroque and the pure joy of the music.” 5 Stars. Limelight (AU)

“When it came to his orchestral music, size mattered for Corelli … These accounts by The New Dutch Academy, a big band playing on period instruments, reflect the best of both worlds. … director Simon Murphy infuses these accounts with subtle jazz-like touches: swinging rhythms, inventive extemporisations and vigorous guitar strumming effects. The sound is sumptuous, but textures are sufficiently transparent to allow details to cut through, and the historically informed approach includes stylish ornamentation and a battery of continuo instruments which would surely have delighted the composer.” BBC Music Magazine (UK)

“Simon Murphy is clearly a conductor to watch for … gorgeous, finely balanced and well-placed performances” American Record Guide (USA)

“Effervescent Bach! … Guest conductor Simon Murphy doesn’t only present the Baroque in a lively and captivating manner – he paces the musical development beautifully, letting the music breathe and rest along the way, whereby the listener’s ears remain fresh and alert until the final chord. Under his leadership, the Bach cantatas sparkled.” Dagblad van het Noorden (NL)

“As one has grown to expect from Simon Murphy, one hears inspiring, energising and vibrant interpretations here.” Toccata – Alte Musik Aktuell (D)

“Murphy’s soundscape is refreshingly lively, transparent and full of noblesse, successfully communicating full emotional range and capturing the finesses of the musical style beautifully.” Concerto (D)