Katherine Bryan was the star of the show at the RSNO’s concerts at the weekend in Edinburgh and Glasgow. As well as performing her arrangement of Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, she also premiered Martin Suckling‘s long-awaited flute concerto The White Road.
“[Bryan] gave a mesmerising, focused performance that grabbed the attention and never let go, every note – even in her rhapsodic flutterings up and down the instrument – carefully articulated with meaning”
“The White Road was a sonic feast…[Bryan] gave a thrillingly dramatic performance…a wonderfully provocative, rewarding evening – 4 stars **** ” David Kettle – The Scotsman
“…a concert that could only be judged a triumph – 5 stars ***** ” Keith Bruce – The Herald
“[The Lark Ascending]…it was a triumph. The warmth and roundness of the flautist’s timbre brought a new dimension to the work outwith the capacity of the violin. Bryan’s playing was exquisite: her control of her breathing in long passages extraordinary, her phrasing superb, her control and precision utterly convincing”
“…in Katherine Bryan we heard some of the finest flute playing around today – 4 stars **** ”
Charles Stokes – Edinburgh49.com
“Katherine Bryan thought [The Lark Ascending] was better depicted by the flute and arranged the work accordingly. How appropriate it was. This was the talking point during the interval.
The evening was a tremendous appreciation of [Katherine Bryan’s] very considerable talent, and she did not disappoint – 4 stars **** ”
Barnaby Miln – EdinburghGuide.com