Enthusiastic Reviews from The Guardian en The Objective for Francisco Coll’s ‘A Portrait

Francisco Coll’s ‘A Portrait’ has recently received international recognition, with both an extensive review from The Guardian and a positive review on the Spanish news website The Objective. This album offers a brilliant overview of the evolution of Francisco Coll, one of the most distinctive contemporary composers from Europe.

The Guardian gave the album 4 out of 5 stars, highlighting the exceptional virtuosity of the New European Ensemble conducted by Tito Muñoz. The album traces Coll’s development between 2009 and 2023, featuring works that showcase his unique rhythmic and melodic creativity. According to The Guardian, Coll is one of the most interesting voices among the younger generation of European composers. The influence of flamenco is clearly audible in his work, as well as the way he blends traditional and modern elements into something entirely new. The critical approach in the article, written by Andrew Clements, underscores the richness of Coll’s musical explorations.

The Spanish platform The Objective – an influential online news website known for its in-depth analysis and critical reporting – also praised the album. The review, written by Andreu Jaume, editor, professor, and poet, describes Francisco Coll as a composer who, with his eclectic style, pushes the boundaries of music. Jaume, known for his work as an editor of major literary works and his focus on universal literature, highlights the bold way in which Coll integrates both tonal and atonal elements into his compositions. The article also discusses Coll’s ability to incorporate a wide range of musical influences, from the drama of flamenco to the complexity of modern classical music.

Scherzo (Spain) adds that the album is an excellent representation of Coll’s work, ranging from solo piano music to works for smaller instrumental ensembles. The review in Opusklassiek (Netherlands) describes it as a “magnificent CD,” with special attention to the passionate performance by the New European Ensemble, and calls the recording brilliantly executed by Karel Bruggeman.

Francisco Coll: ‘A Portrait’ is a must-have for lovers of contemporary music, offering a unique insight into one of the most promising composers of this generation.
Coll, a student of the renowned composer Thomas Adès, has had his music performed by major orchestras and soloists such as Kirill Gerstein and Patricia Kopatchinskaja. His work combines influences from Spanish and Sephardic music with an advanced texture, placing him among the most distinctive contemporary composers in Europe.

The album is available on Challenge Classics and offers a fascinating overview of Coll’s musical development, from his earliest works to his most recent compositions.

Listen to Francisco Coll: A Portrait here.