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Throughout both of these discs, performances are as committed and attentive to the music’s frequently understated demands as might be expected from ensembles of the calibre of the New Music Players and New Music Vocal Ensemble. Special mention must be made of Richard Casey, who, besides writing most of the detailed and informative booklet notes, proves no less adept and sympathetic as a pianist. The recordings, though made over more than a decade, fully convey this music’s clarity and intricacy, making for a release that can be warmly recommended for its persuasive overview of a composer for whom a wider reputation ought not be long in coming.

” —Richard Whitehouse

“

Hughes’s music is most notable for its variability in dissonance. He is able to move seamlessly from what sounds completely atonal to triadic harmony that allows for accessible expression. Orchids alone makes the record worthwhile, and this two-disc set makes it easy to acquire a variety of music by a British composer from whom we can surely expect more high quality work to come.

” —Adams

“

Many of [Hughes’s] scores for reduced forces are no less striking and engaging [than his large-scale canvases), as evidence by the various pieces in Metier’s anthology. Evident gift for polyphonic texture. An inspiring, thoughtfully compiled programme. Ed Hughes lays down considerable challenges to performers and they are met here with virtuosity and imagination in ideal readings, polished and alert, which it is difficult to imagine being surpassed.. Consistently fine sound. This is a valuable survey of a composer whose unorthodox and resourceful music deservers to be better know.

” —Paul Conway

“

Ed Hughes is a contemporary British contrapuntalist of unique originality and instrumental flair. [His music] is all given with consummate security and audibility… I find the ensemble music irresistible.

” —Peter Grahame Woolf

“

Ed Hughes is a composer with an individual voice and a concise way of saying what he has to say. His music is compelling. The performance [of the chamber works] is remarkably assured. [Richard Casey] plays Hughes’ beautiful score [Orchids] with the utmost transparency. His myriad colourings are captured in the exemplary recording. The vocal piece A Buried Flame…demonstrates remarkably fine scoring… a powerful statement that reverberates long after the music finishes, A most stimulating release. I do urge you to hear this.

” —Colin Clarke