Rave reviews of Randall Goosby’s Decca Classics debut album
Randall Goosby’s debut album ‘Roots’ has received encomiums from a plethora of musical reviewers (Photo credit: Kaupo Kikkas)
This week, critics commend Randall Goosby on the success of Roots, both for its personal expression and mastery of violin performance.
Roots has been named “Editor’s Choice” by Gramophone Magazine. Richard Bratby implores listeners-to-be: “Listen to the directness and controlled energy with which Goosby and the pianist Zhu Wang launch themselves at Dvořák’s melodies: the playful kick they give to his rhythms and the glow of their collective tone…There’s not a trace of grandstanding, or exaggeration for easy effect. This is selfless, stylish playing which – paradoxically – ends up by projecting the personalities of both artists with even more freshness and warmth…It never sounds knowing or contrived: more like an artist speaking eloquently in his own voice.”
Classic FM’s Rosie Pentreath reports on Goosby’s motivations and inspiration for the album. She writes: “Speaking about his debut album, Roots, out this month on Decca Classics, the American violinist describes it as ‘humbling’ to have the chance to champion diverse voices on his first-ever release. Goosby adds that he hopes to challenge the traditionally Euro-centric classical music canon. ‘It’s not nearly as diverse, inclusive and welcoming as it could be,’ he says. ‘That was part of my mission with this album, and going forward with the rest of my work: to make it known that classical music really is for everyone and by everyone, and that everyone can find something in this incredible art form that they can relate to.’”
Erica Jeal of The Guardian reports that Roots successfully unearths the gems of music composed by African-Americans. She notes: “Goosby’s firm sound give these pieces their due weight.” And in noting his coloristic capabilities, she states: “Goosby finds a special tone here [in William Grant Still’s 1943 Suite] soft but vibrant, and the melody soars.”
Laurie Niles of Violinist.com claims: “When violinist Randall Goosby plays ‘It Ain't Necessarily So’ from the opera ‘Porgy and Bess,’ it doesn't sound like he's just playing one of those favorite virtuoso violin arrangements by Heifetz. It sounds like he is singing, and he knows the words by heart.”
Tom Huizenga of NPR praises: “With his lush, warm tone (inspired perhaps by his teacher Itzhak Perlman) and exceptional technique, Goosby is easily winning over music lovers. But that's not all — he's showing a younger generation there are artists in classical music who look like them.”
Steven Winn of San Francisco Classical Voice states: “In Roots, his capacious debut solo recording from Decca Classics, violinist Randall Goosby turns excavation into art. In ranging from works by such Black composers as Florence Price, William Grant Still, and Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson to George Gershwin and Antonín Dvořák, this gifted young player embodies the premise that traditions are both deep and diverse. Influences run in all directions. Borrowing, grafting — and yes, appropriating — make the collective musical ground richer and more fertile.” He goes on to write: '“Ably supported by pianist Zhu Wang, Goosby avoids the trap of simply recycling the overly familiar. ‘Summertime,’ which can come to a humid standstill, saunters along nicely here — a sketch of breezy, easy living. In the other numbers, the violinist’s natural phrasing and conversational cadences approximate singing without aping it. ‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’ has an appealing verve, now perky, now exuberant, now sassy and insouciant. In ‘Bess’ you can almost feel Porgy’s caressing, come-closer manner, like an arm snaking around her shoulders.” He concludes: “Goosby and Wang give a performance at once so keen and charming that you just go along for the end of what has been a rewarding and illuminating ride.”
Freya Parr of BBC Music Magazine writes: “Randall Goosby has released his debut album ‘Roots’, a celebration of the music of black composers, on Decca Classics. He also stars in this month’s issue of BBC Music Magazine, talking to Brian Wise about the music he has chosen to feature in his debut album.”
Click here to buy the newly released Roots.