New Made Old
Vespers is almost preternaturally beautiful
Peter Burwasser, Philadelphia City Paper, 2 Jun 2009
This Vespers is almost preternaturally beautiful, presented with an apparent simplicity that reveals the timeless essence of musical expression. But it is not at all simple, as Smith subtly weaves contemporary figurations, pacing and textures into an old fabric. It is remarkable how seamless this effect is, and how utterly self-effacing is Smith’s technique. A casual listener might miss the impact of Vespers, but not for long. The music seeps into the consciousness with gentle stealth and power, finally disarming any resistance… This recording is one of those fortunate synergies of fine forces… The sum of the parts is magical. Don’t miss this one.