Reviews and Comments

CONCERTINO FOR TRUMPET
"..a wonderfully tuneful work.." Alasdair MacNaughton - Evening Herald

FIVE PIECES FOR CLARINET
"These artful little pieces are a constant delight. The central one has a light dusting of Faure at the outset, and has taken on a life of its own. Originally written as an orchestral entr'acte it was for years the signature tune of a BBC Radio Devon programme. Rightly so: it's a memorable theme. To add to the pleasure there's a witty fugue and a whirling waltz to conclude." Jonathan Woolf MusicWeb-International

"This was a very interesting work, full of contrasts of style. Colin Parr, clarinet soloist, on a welcome return visit to Taunton, was busy, clearly enjoying the ensemble element as much as the soloist's one. It is to be hoped that this piece will stay in the ensemble's current repertoire for future use. It gave us moods-a-plenty from the angular, through the sad warmth of the minor cadence, to the rapturous clarinet 'tranquillo' sounds of the Adagio, concluding with some spectacular cheeky short melodic fragments in the finale. " Mary Trewin Taunton Gazette 

FOUR PIANO PIECES
'They are absolutely delightful, full of character and charm' Margaret Fingerhut.

MAJESTY
'Clive's piece was the first to be played and was used as Her Majesty the Queen entered the Waterloo Chamber at Windsor Castle followed by other members of the Royal Family and the Knights of the Garter. Perfectly suited to the occasion in my view . .' Major Philip Stredwick, Director of Music of the Countess of Wessex's String Orchestra.

PASTORALE & ALLEGRO
. “The Pastorale and Allegro is quite definitely in the English string tradition of the 20th Century. Both parts of this work are well balanced and creatively exploit the character of the string ensemble. The Pastorale in particular is a thoughtful and reflective miniature masterpiece.” John France ( Music Web review)

PIANO CONCERTINO

‘…a gratifying score. The [Moderato} could easily become a Classic FM favourite.’
John France (Music Web)

‘..a quite exquisite piece.’
Steven Kennedy

‘..highly attractive’
Gary Higginson (British Music Society)

‘..engagingly frothy..’
Andrew Achenbach (The Gramophone)

ROMANCE FOR HORN AND ORCHESTRA
"Clive Jenkins' eminently melodic and highly eloquent Romance for Horn and Orchestra has some glorious moments for soloist and ensemble alike..." Philip R Buttall - Evening Herald

SINFONIETTA FOR STRINGS
"...has much in common, notably in its scherzo, with the swagger and joie de vivre of Holst's St Paul's Suite." - Jeremy Dibble - Gramophone

THAMES REFLECTIONS
"The three pieces I particularly enjoyed were all by Clive Jenkins.(...) Thames Reflections was written in a jazz genre and was very entertaining. The themes bounced back and forth between the first violin and cello in a most amusing manner, the violin portraying the river bank's skyline and the cello the reflection in the water." Helma Marlow - Henley Standard

THREE PIECES FOR OBOE

‘His Three Pieces meld a sunny pastoralism with the perky ballet of the Scherzo finale.’
Terry Blain (BBC Music Magazine)

‘…gorgeous writing for the soloist’.
Steven Kennedy

‘..expert scoring ‘.
Jonathan Woolf (Music Web)

WHITE BIRD
"I have always liked music by Clive Jenkins, which might be described as 'modern but accessible'. His latest offering, White Bird, an imaginary ballet for strings and wordless voice, based on an old Dartmoor tale, received a well-deserved acclamation. I trust we shall hear it again and again." Mike Hasshill - Western Morning News

THREE PASTORALES: ORGAN PIECES FOR ODD TIMES
“…Jenkins’ musical language is logical in and of itself – traditional but with a bit of spice thrown in. These three pieces go beyond the innocuous flavour of most pastoral music and make a convincing set.” The Journal