REVIEWS
ClevelandClassical.com
The White Trout Review
"Griebling-Haigh’s music, a combination of attractive vocal episodes and brief interludes between narration, is winsome and atmospheric, adding just enough Celtic references to the mix to set the scene, but remaining elusive and magical. The singing and playing are first-rate. The White Trout succeeds on two levels: it’s perfectly accessible and enjoyable for children, yet musically sophisticated enough to appeal to adults who can set aside the real world for half an hour and immerse themselves in a charming fantasy."
Gramophone
“Griebling-Haigh’s penchant for exotic atmosphere is on display in two pieces of rich and haunting personality. The Sinfonia Concertante is scored for the fresh amalgam of two oboes, bassoon, and string quintet, which engage in sinuous and empassioned conversations until whimsy takes over in the third movement, an evocation of rascally rabiits. In Alegrías, Griebling-Haigh blends Sephardic sounds of several regions in a stew of flavorful ingredients. With yet another novel instrumentaiton – accordion, dumbek, oboe, piano, strings, tambourine – the music swirls and stomps in off-beat flamenco rhythms to disarming effect.”
The Double Reed, Vol. 40, Nº. 4
“Here are two delightful and charming productions of works for children. The Story of Babar, the children’s classic by Jean de Brunhoff, is given a fresh and convincing treatment in Griebling-Haigh’s effective translation and lovely characterful melodies and moods. The writing for oboe/English horn, double bass and piano is consistently engaging, clever, and ideal for each character or dramatic situation. Griebling-Haigh’s score makes maximum use of these instrumental colors, often in unexpected combination, and fun offbeat inventions. This musical setting never overstays its welcome.
One could say the same for the very unfamiliar, yet engaging setting of the Norwegian Folk Tale, Askelad and the Seven Silver Ducks. Askelad is offered as a CD/book package. Griebling-Haigh has provided another attractive score as well as charming, whimsical illustrations.”
Cambridge Tempo, Vol. 64 Cambridge University Press
“Trocadillos is a light- hearted but in no way trifling 21-minute suite in three movements. The title is an invented Spanish word roughly translatable as ‘changing morsels’; so is that of the opening movement, Zapataconéo, which has elements of flamenco in its rhythms. The Spanish flavour is cultivated throughout, not least in the central Silvacanción (‘Wild song’) which is a not-so-miniature tone poem for the trio. The vivacious Burlesco rounds off a fine work that is light in tone without being lightweight."
The Double Reed, Vol. 29, No. 1
“Night Swimming is wonderfully descriptive music that is well written for all of the instruments. It is a needed addition to the repertoire for English horn and voice, and I highly recommend it for personal performance and teaching.”
Cleveland Plain Dealer
“One hears a composer painting brilliant sonic images. Night Swimming is a score of brooding beauty.”
American Record Guide
“ ‘Swans and Willows’ [Windrush Madrigals] is a warm, sentimental, and reflective piece whose harmonies reminded me in no small way of Barber's Knoxville... Expertly scored.”
Journal of the American Viola Society
“On a program devoted to the music of American Women Composers, my favorite piece was a very entertaining and light-hearted work called Bocadillos Panorámicos by Margaret Griebling-Haigh.”
The Double Reed, Vol. 29, No. 1
“Bocadillos Floridianos is a very attractive piece that is very well written for both the oboe and the piano. Ms. Griebling-Haigh's compositional style and abilty to write music that really paints pictures is very noteworthy. I highly recommend this alluring addition to the oboe repertoire.”
Kalamazoo Gazette
“The second movement (of Bocadillos Floridianos) was enchanting..., eliciting a hauntingly exhausted atmosphere. The final movement, depicting the heart-racing dance of the Floridian lizards, proved to be the real favorite of the evening.”
Cleveland Plain Dealer
“Vistas desde el Balcón (Views from the Balcony) leans toward Russian elements suggesting Prokofiev’s brooding lyricism and Shostakovich’s mystery and anger. Whatever the source, it’s a stunning explosion of ideas.”
Cleveland Plain Dealer
“Griebling-Haigh’s Collioure travels from brooding utterances to episodes of dramatic anguish. The rich palette, which bears traces of Ravel and Poulenc, derives much of its dark personality from the vibrant interaction of instruments. The piece was saturated with haunting inflections.”
Akron Beacon Journal
“Goldsmith’s Pasticcio, in three movments, is an attractive mix of lyrical and boisterous ideas, skillfully constructed and excellently exploiting the unusual sonorities posed by the interweaving of these instruments.”
Schenectady Gazette
“Discovering a work like Homages is what makes concert-going exciting. Griebling-Haigh has an outstanding ear for orchestral effect. [She] can provide us with scores of compelling melody and texture in an up-to-date voice that nevertheless makes good use of the large 19th-century orchestra. The composer also understands the need for wit and doesn’t let her music bog down in dull solemnity.”
Lancaster New Era
“Atalanta is truly modern and contemporary in concept but avoids the clinical and the sterile so often found in such work. As a result, its careful construction, precise rhythm and carefully joined dynamics give it space and breadth in a structure which carries a sophisticated musical line.”
Cleveland Plain Dealer
“Poetic urgency and insouciance abound in the two scores by Margi Griebling-Haigh."
American Record Guide
“[In Bocadillos Panorámicos] Griebling-Haigh manages to create beautiful textures and melodic lines that sound fresh and personal while evoking the natural beauty of the Southwest. …Should leave audiences satisfied, engaged, and eager to hear more. The melodies are lovely.”
American Record Guide
“The variety of moods, textures, and instrumental lineups is admirable. Tedium and triviality are banished, and the musicianship is exemplary.”
Journal of the International Double Reed Society
"…the character is clearly light, playful, and often tongue-in-cheekish …very interesting and listenable."
Cleveland Plain Dealer
“One hears a composer painting brilliant sonic images.”
panorámicos CD reviews
Gramophone Magazine
“The best new recordings from North America”
“Eclectic in the best sense of the word.”
Cleveland Plain Dealer
“The scores on this independent release by local musicians are immediately appealing and vibrant. Margaret Griebling-Haigh basks in zesty rhythmic shapes and exotic harmonic language, with a leaning toward Spanish and French accents. Hebert Variations, a salute to former Cleveland Orchestra piccolo player William Hebert, throws out stereotypes of this high-flying instrument in music of and piano, in which languid and suave ideas are beautifully balanced. The performances and sound are first-rate. A”
Journal of the American Viola Society
“This very attractive non-commercial disc features new chamber works by American composers. Bocadillos Panorámicos is an excellent example of a substantial new work that should leave audiences satisfied, engaged, and eager to hear more. With its strong underpinnings of dance rhythms, the work maintains listener interest throughout. Lynne Ramsey, long time assistant principal violist of the Cleveland Orchestra, performs with secure technique and a great deal of style. Her rich, large, unforced sound is well balanced by the bright, clear articulation of pianist Kathryn Brown. The quality of Griebling-Haigh's work and Ramsey's performance alone make this a CD of value; the other chamber works on the CD are an added bonus.”
American Record Guide
“The musical microcosm of northeast Ohio is celebrated by this remarkable recording... Three of the pieces are by the gifted composer, Margaret Griebling-Haigh, who likes to fashion melodies from the letters in a performer's name. ...La Bergére des Brises de Vallée conjures images of a French hillside. The melodies are lovely as is the interaction among flutist Mary Kay Ferguson, oboist Danna Sundet, and pianist Randall Fusco. [In Bocadillos Panorámicos] the first movement Aguacero depicts torrential rain with frantic passages that are followed by sudden calm. El Bosque de Jemez makes mesmerizing use of a haunting texture... Some mournful melodies are played with passion by violist Lynne Ramsey. A rollicking La Perrita Fanimál is about a little dog who cavorts madly and then falls asleep. Twisty Vista Tango is a quirky, colorful end to this terrific piece.”