Five stars in FANFARE magazine ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Covert Ensemble plays Smetana
"This release might be short, but it clearly comes from a place of love. The Covert Ensemble comprises Dave Camwell and Kateřina Pavlíková, both saxophonists, joined here by pianist Martin Hybler. Formed in 2021, the pair have already produced some 25 arrangements of music from J. S. Bach to Max Richter. Fittingly, they have toured to the Czech Republic, for here they present the music of a much-beloved Czech composer. Lauded in a number of competitions, Covert Ensemble's excellence is everywhere apparent on this CD single, for which they are joined by the pianist Martin Hybler.
Of course, if you want the original dances from Smetana’s Bartered Bride, there is a slew of more than acceptable alternatives, from Czech conductors to (one of my personal favourites) Georg Szell and “his ” Cleveland Orchestra.
Scoring these pieces for two saxes and piano obviously changes the “flavor” to some extent: the contrasting episodes in the “Furiant” sounds more Paris than Prague, which actually only accentuates the contrast to the pure joy of the opening and its recurrences. What really comes across is the sharpness of the performance: perfectly together, absolutely always.
The “Polka” offers a chance of the piano to come to the fore, and Martin Hybler clearly relishes the opportunity. This feels, at least initially, a little more like an orchestral reduction, but the cheeky parallel-interval saxes quickly add another dimension, They could almost be tiptoeing along. Rubato is brilliantly managed; the two saxophonists clearly think as one; the move towards the energy of the close is beautifully managed, too.
The “Skočnà" is better known as the “Dance of the Comedians,” or the “Dance of the Clowns”. It pits helter-skelter activity against gentler passages, all fully characterised here. Listening to the micro-management of hairpins once more confirms the care that has gone into these performances, while the evident virtuosity is there to be relished. Hybler is a fine accompanist as well as peer (the focus is mainly on the wind players).
The recording by Martin Stupka is nicely present. A most rewarding, and bracing, ten minutes or so."
Colin Clarke
Five stars: This might be short, but it clearly comes from a place of love ... A most rewarding, and bracing experience
May / June 2025