Mantra

Robert Moran’s music lives in two different worlds. The first world, that which occupies the first half of this disc, is the world of serene, graceful, and timeless music. The first three works waft through the ether with lush tonal harmonies. The halls used for the recordings are extremely resonant and this greatly enhances the spacious nature of Moran’s chords and gestures. 

Categorically, all the performers are excellent. Each ensemble and performer hits all the right notes, musically and emotionally, on this recording. Iowa Percussion does an absolutely phenomenal job with their three pieces. I hope we hear more from this ensemble in the future.

– Sequenza 21

Collection of modern classical and experimental. Some epic, triumphant classical and more experimental soundscapes. 5-7 are all percussion pieces, while the rest are horn/organ based. My favorites are the epic, gorgeous melodic pieces, but do not hesitate to play the more experimental percussion pieces because they are really good, too.

– Adam Pearson, Zookeeper

….beguiling, superbly contrived and controlled. I found it totally convincing.

….There is a wide range of style and content in the works on this disc.

….Will appeal to those with jaded palates or adventurous tastes.

….an unexpected pleasure.

– William Headley, MusicWeb International

Moran touches on everything from romanticism to minimalism, with enough sheer moments of beauty and spectral power that I can’t believe it isn’t receiving more love.

– Aaron Coleman, Something Excellent

…The music is modal and energetic, with intriguing rhythmic irregularities. The longest of the three is Stirling: It’s Raining Cats and Dogs (2007). This piece mixes the sound of rain with some 50 percussion instruments. Moran calls it “a musical landscape in rain,” the rain being “an integral sound-event from start to finish.”

– Walter Simmons, Fanfare