REVIEWS
PASSAGES:
“The final track and perhaps the best, “The Last Invocation” pairs the Moravian Philharmonic with Fulks, and it yields a bit of mystery, even a haunting element amid Walt Whitman’s words. Stanislav Vavřínek provides conductor duties on half the tracks, and Murray’s highly detailed approach, Fulks’ sublime voice and the strategic use of instruments makes for a captivating listen.” – Take Effect (Oct. 2022)
CORO DEL MUNDO:
“Cuba’s poet laureate Nicolas Guillen’s Caminando, is given a superb reading of the moody setting by Michael Murray… and the 19th century Cuban poet and patriot Juan Clemente Zenea’s El Lunar is integral to a very fine musical setting.” – Rafael’s Music Notes – “Peaceful Music from Cuba” (Jan. 2019)
I was interviewed by PARMA’s Inside Story about my interests and recent work on Coro del Mundo. The Inside Story is a blog series exploring the inner workings and personalities of PARMA’s artists. In this interview, learn what vibrant American city serves as my favorite source for inspiration and much more.
ABRAZO:
“The collection exits on Michael Murray’s “After The Fall,” which includes poetry by Jodi Kanter that pays tribute to the survivors and victims of 9/11. This eloquently illustrates how the tragedy of that day can be parlayed into the sublime and therapeutic, despite its horrific origin.” – Daily Vault
“The final movement, “Changing Home,” has resonance not only for all who remember that viciously murderous event but also, in the context of this release, for all who hope for a new and better era of interaction between Cuba and the United States, in spite of the profound political and philosophical differences that remain between the two countries and the checkered history of their relationship in the past.” – Infodad
View the WMUR-TV news segment “The Music of Cuba” about PARMA Recordings activities in Cuba (including ABRAZO). “How a North Hampton record producer is bringing the music of Cuba to a post-embargo world.”
PERCIPIENCE:
“This very interesting collection of songs by American composer Michael Murray showcases a master at writing for the human voice. Also a more than competent orchestrator, Murray’s music is easy to listen to in the best possible way. His melodic style always holds the attention, and the line is often modal or pentatonic. The songs in his cycles are linked logically, thematically, rhythmically and emotionally, reflecting the text. There is much here to like and admire.” – Geoff Pearce, Music & Vision (Sydney, Australia)
“Murray gives us songs that stand out. They are masterful examples of the form in our contemporary world. Anyone who gravitates towards such things will no doubt appreciate this album. Bravo!” – Gapplegate Classical-Modern Music Review
“The music is melodious, modern in a tonal way, deceptively straightforward. Accompaniments further the songs and echo the various moods appropriately. All show the signature style of a contemporary craftsman-artist of original stripe.” – Gapplegate Classical-Modern Music Review
“What is most marvelous about these songs is the absolute naturalness of Murray’s way of setting a text–flowing, never awkward, neither mannered nor simplistic. And there’s invariably something compelling going on in the surrounding instrumental frame.” – Gavin Borchert, Seattle Weekly
“Very few composers today know how to write for voice, but Murray certainly knows how to do it.” – composer Michael Daugherty
“Murray seems very concerned with beauty in a basic sense. These songs are easy and familiar…” – American Record Guide