REVIEWS:  diversions ddv 24146   A Touch of Class

MUSICWEB: (review of original Dunelm issue omitting references to works not on new version)

This is one of the most enjoyable CDs I've ever heard. Seventeen-year-old twins, Rachel and Vanessa Fuidge present a pleasantly varied programme that shows off their many fine qualities. And there is humour, too!

The order of the items is well chosen to add to the listening enjoyment, with the first movement of Philip Lane's Badinages making a brilliant, lively start. The performers bring out all the humour in it that caused me much merriment! Then comes a lovely contrast in the two Grieg pieces in which much attention is paid to the detail, especially in the rhythms, so well in evidence… [Section omitted] . Casella's delightful puppet portraits are played with great attention to the contrasts between them, and the humour associated with the playful nature of puppets is well pointed. The traditional composers are not overlooked and the performances of the well-known pieces by… Saint-Saëns all have a splendid freshness about them. Outstanding is “Le Cygne” with some lovely dynamics in the melody and the figurations around it. Then follows an hilarious interpretation of the “Final”. It's good to hear a different set of variations on Paganini's famous theme – here by Charles Camilleri – especially in such a virtuosic performance! … the CD ends with two really catchy pieces, one by Leroy Anderson – the rests in the middle section adding to the fun! – and the other by Di Biase, the delicate ending of which is handled superbly by Rachel and Vanessa.

The twins have an excellent technique and a lively musicality that enables them to give superb interpretations. They are so well in control that the whole exercise sounds fun, and this communicates itself to the listener, resulting in a wonderfully enjoyable experience. The girls have written the booklet notes on each of the pieces in a clear, concise style and a short career profile is included, too. The cover photograph is outstandingly good.

I know of the work done by Jim Pattison of Dunelm Records to promote young musical talent through the medium of sound recordings. He seems to have the ability of putting performers at their ease at the sessions so that they enjoy the experience. This CD is another fine example of this practice.

Throughout, Rachel and Vanessa – helped by a superb recording – bring out the clarity of the many varied textures really well. The session was held on April 5 th , 2005 in the Whiteley Hall, Chetham's School of Music, Manchester, by kind permission of the Director of Music, and ably produced by Miss Susan Bettaney, a teaching member of staff of the Keyboard Department. An outstanding CD, full of joy! Very highly recommended.
Ian Milnes

MUSICWEB (2): (review of original Dunelm issue omitting references to works not on new version)

Musicmaking by piano duettists, four hands at one piano, has a long history and many works we think of as orchestral started out as piano duets. This is reflected on this CD: Grieg's Norwegian Dances .. [etc], Sometimes the process works in the opposite direction, as here with Anitra's Dance and Leroy Anderson's Fiddle Faddle , though these performers do not, despite their obvious enjoyment in playing it, quite convince me that the latter is not preferable in its original string orchestral mode.

Rachel and Vanessa Fuidge are twins and, at the time of writing, 17 years of age and living in Glossop, Derbyshire. They have behind them many successes in music festivals and a not inconsiderable concert experience. Their playing, if not quite not perfect, has accomplishment, enterprise and a charming freshness. They are excellent musicians and have a wide taste in repertoire. Some might feel it a disadvantage that their programme seems a trifle “bitty” – just one Norwegian Dance, – but to me it suggests a desire to play as wide a range of music as possible. And there are plenty of pieces which are relatively, even almost entirely, unfamiliar to audiences. Philip Lane's Mouvement Perpetuel, one of his four Badinages , was a tribute to Lord Berners and suitably whimsical. Casella's “five easy pieces” Pupazetti (Puppets) have their astringencies, to be sure, but they are rhythmic and atmospheric. Also it is good to have on disc the Paganiana by the Maltese composer Charles Camilleri, one of the latest, and probably the most concise, attempts – of many by a variety of composers – at varying that celebrated Paganini violin Caprice and, a lollipop to finish, the Duo Tango by the Italian Paolo di Biase (born 1942) but very Spanish in feel.

The recording, made at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester, where the twins study at weekends, is very clear and natural and I have the greatest pleasure in recommending this disc as an introduction to the wide range, both familiar and less familiar, of the piano duet repertoire.
Philip L. Scowcroft

MIDWEST RECORD:
If these English teen twins had an Italian mom with a better fashion sense to pass along, we could lead with “Hey, did you know the next Labeque Sisters are coming out of England?”  Two records re-released as a single set from when they were a few years younger, this finds them covering some well trod Labeque ground and covering it quite well.  Probably forced to practice as much as Asian kids, they could quite easily be 2 of the next 5 Browns.  Moldy figs may complain about how there's no new ground broken here but we can be quite happy with good taste that tastes good, like what's going on here.  A striking new sound that bodes well for keyboards of the future.
Chris Spector