Press – Concerts - Allison M. Smith

Gustav Leonhardt, conducting with gesturally economical precision, was in charge for superbly stylish accounts of CPE Bach's arrestingly unpredictable string symphony and some glorious Rameau, in which the trio of two oboes and bassoon was especially delectable...

Elizabeth Wallfisch directed from the violin Mozart's lesser-known concerto of 1775, a special favourite of hers, and the high spot of a memorable concert given with huge commitment and assured expertise from all concerned; the Wigmore Hall's platform full, its acoustic contributing greatly to the pleasures of the evening.

-- Peter Grahame Woolf, MUSICAL POINTERS 13 June 2010

       Wallfisch Band
       Gustav Leonhardt, conductor
       Concert in Wigmore Hall in London, England
       13 June 2010

Roy Goodman

Pourquoi écrire une critique alors qu'un seul mot résume la prestation de ce soir : L'EXCELLENCE ! ...
Les 27 instrumentistes ont chacun grâce à leur sensibilité, leur jeu, leur phrasé, leur talent donner à cet oratorio une dimension captivante...
Les instruments colorent sa voix [soprane Julia Doyle] tel le soleil éclaire les âmes.

-- Jean-Stéphane Sourd Durand, MUSE BAROQUE 27 September 2014

Why write a critique when a single word sums up the performance tonight: EXCELLENCE ! …
The 27 instrumentalists have each, thanks to their sensibility, their playing, their phrasing, their talent to give to this oratorio a captivating dimension…
The instruments color her voice [soprano Julia Doyle] as the sun illumines the souls.

Translated from French by Allison M. Smith

       Nederlands Kamerkoor (Netherlands Chamber Choir)
       Le Concert Lorrain
       Roy Goodman, direction
       Händel's Israel in Egypt
       Concert in the L'Arsenal in Metz, France
       20 September 2014

Bijzonder bij deze uitvoering was dat door ziekte van de trompettist de bassolo The trumpet shall sound, niet door de trompet begeleid kon worden. Op magistrale wijze heeft de hoboiste, Allison Smith, deze taak overgenomen, haar hobo heeft als een trompet geschitterd! De bas Donald Bentvelsen kon daardoor ook in deze aria zijn geweldige voordracht houden.

-- "Sfeervolle uitvoering van de Messiah" from the website of the ToonkunstKoor Hilversum
17 December 2017

De hoboïste die de trompet verving... klasse.

-- Reaction to "Atmospheric performance of the Messiah" posted on the website of the
ToonkunstKoor Hilversum 18 December 2017

Extraordinary about this performance was that, due to illness of the trumpet player, the bass solo “The trumpet shall sound” could not be accompanied by the trumpet. In a masterly way did oboist Allison Smith take over this role— her oboe shined as a trumpet! Therefore in this aria as well the bass Donald Bentvelsen could keep his wonderful diction.

-- "Atmospheric performance of the Messiah" from the website of the ToonkunstKoor
Hilversum [ Tonkunst Choir in Hilversum ] 17 December 2017

Translated from Dutch by Allison M. Smith

I was very happy with the way you played the trumpet aria! It felt more than ever before like a duet (with orchestra)... That was a unique experience after 25 years of singing this aria. I also thought you captured the trumpet character really well.

-- Donald Bentvelsen, bass soloist Email message from 17 December 2017

The oboist who replaced the trumpet player… outstanding.

-- Reaction to "Atmospheric performance of the Messiah" posted on the website of the
ToonkunstKoor Hilversum [ Tonkunst Choir in Hilversum ] 18 December 2017

Translated from Dutch by Allison M. Smith

        TonkunstKoor Hilversum [ Tonkunst Choir in Hilversum ]
           Baroque Orchestra Cappella Maria Barbara
           Nico Philipp Hovius, conductor
           Händel's Messiah
           Concert in the Grote Kerk [ church ] in Hilversum
           16 December 2017