Wave

AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE
[T]he most effective piece is the lovely Sinfonietta for string orchestra; the music is given structure by a very clear formal design … [Beck has composed] a fine and graceful piece from his lovely melodies and harmonies.
By Quinn

GRAMOPHONE
Jeremy Beck is Exhibit A in classical music’s defense against the charge of being out of touch. He has written operas on such subjects as the Ruby Ridge confrontation, and much of his output references current events. Take his orchestral ‘response’ to the elder George Bush’s questionably optimistic address of 1992: Beck’s State of the Union saw a much more troubled America. … Sinfonietta makes up for a lack of a program with pointed motivic development, compelling structure and thematic verve. A churning first theme collapses upon itself in a swirl of soft harmonies leading to a graceful allegretto, an interlude developed later in the third movement. A slow, spiritual-like second movement relaxes the mood even further. This hazy music returns in the finale, fending off a late recapitulation of the opening frantic theme. … Death of a Little Girl with Doves, an orchestral rhapsody for soprano on the life of French sculptor Camille Claudel … showcase[s] Beck’s dramatic flair.
By Andrew Druckenbrod

MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL
Beck is certainly communicative…there is resilience and fibre in his writing… [Death of a Little Girl with Doves] is a deeply attractive and touching piece of writing which I recommend urgently for its imperious melodic confidence, fluent emotional command and yielding tenderness. A lovely disc made fully compelling by the song-cycle and one that is likely to leave most listeners keen to hear more from Jeremy Beck. Let’s now have Death of a Little Girl with Doves in the 2005 Proms please. Imaginative sopranos with good diction and adventurous and capable music directors should be seeking out this disc. Do not delay.
By Rob Barnett

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE
“The best of [Wave] is the four-movement Sinfonietta, from 2000, a harmonically inventive, thoroughly engaging work… Beginning in rousing perpetual motion, a melody soars above the texture, leading after twisting cadences to a warm, contrasting section. The second movement…is sinewy and gorgeous.”
By Andrew Druckenbrod