piers adams

Press Review:

"The Rock Star of the Recorder in Bad Kissingen 

Widely unbuttoned shirt, tousled hair, strongly masculine appearance, love for the show and the audience, a true stage hero has made an appearance in the spa town! But he doesn't play the electric guitar or shriek into the microphone. As soon as Piers Adams picks up his instrument and plays the recorder, precision, feeling and true passion follow. He is described as a rock star and a stage beast, filling concert halls and stadiums, but his art is in baroque music.  Even that is only partly true, because from the first notes it becomes clear that he is a true rock star who interprets early music like no other… freely, easily and with a power rarely experienced in classical music. 

The motto of the festival is "old music in a new guise", and the concert made this clear in the best sense of the word. Everything different, everything modern, and in particular a wonderfully refreshing voyage of discovery and a reinterpretation of old ideas. Adams has a whole battery of the most diverse recorders … he demonstrates the entire melodic and characteristic range of his instrument … producing tones and moods that leave the audience present in awe, wonder and true enthusiasm. 

But the real magic of this concert, entitled "Baroque Alchemy", comes from the wonderful interplay with Adams' partner Lyndy Mayle on keyboard. Admittedly, the average concertgoer probably thinks to himself that the electronic organ is out of place in the time-honoured rooms of the Rossini Hall. But like so much about this concert experience, this unusual combination turns out to be a refreshing innovation. Never dominant, various sounds of the keyboard support the masterly and technically perfect playing of the recorder. From Renaissance sounds to spectral-atmospheric noises and even beats reminiscent of modern techno, Mayle's melodies support the sound of the various recorders in the best sense and create completely unusual sound experiences that thrill the audience. … The experiment "Old songs in a new guise" was a complete success and enriched everyone present with an extraordinary musical experience. And the audience rewarded this accordingly with thunderous applause and standing ovations".

Main Post, Germany (translated by Google)

Promoter Testimonies:

I am very excited by this duo, utilising the best of virtuoso recorder playing with electronic keyboard sounds, reinventing baroque music for new audiences. Piers and Lyndy are uniquely suited, with their dynamic performance style and exciting musicianship, to enrich the concert going public’s aural palate with their exciting new sounds.
Paul Goodwin - Carmel Bach Festival (USA)

To any organisation thinking of booking Baroque Alchemy I would say…don’t hesitate…. this programme is a winner…a definite crowd pleaser. The combination of recorders with a C21 synthesiser works beautifully. The magical sounds which Piers conjures from his wide range of recorders meld perfectly with Lyndy’s imaginative use of the huge number of effects available on the synthesiser.  There is already a great demand from our audience for a return visit!

Christine Colbourne - Haywards Heath Music Society, UK

 

I don't usually get letters after concerts, but after your concert I had two letters from attenders, both of whom described your recital as "stunning"!! So now you know!!

Susan Allison - Cockermouth Music Society

 

Thanks again so much to you and Lyndy for the wonderful concert you gave us yesterday afternoon.   The long line of audience members queuing for CDs speaks for itself, and the feeling of joy and love emanating from your performance, combined with your spectacular musical virtuosity shone through for all to see.  What better way could there be to spend a Sunday afternoon!

Jon Savage - Louth and District Concert Society

It was wonderful to host you at the Pavilion yesterday. What a wonderful performance, truly amazing.
Tamsin Webb - Hailsham Festival, UK

Audience comments:

“I love the variations and contrast!  The two of you are wonderful together - chemistry is brilliant and the repertoire is super-quirky and stylish.” 

“Last night was fantastic and the music was blissful – so loved it!” 

“It was a magical and spiritual experience.” 

“Exquisite… what talent to have to tingle the spines of so many people…So much joy!” 

 “Wow… Beautiful, hopeful and inspiring to receive the beauty of your offering… alchemical in all its creation.” 

“OMG – that was so impressive and wonderful!  What a virtuoso performance – absolutely loved it, and I had no idea that these instruments were so versatile and could ever be played in that way.”