Reviews
Fever Pitch Magazine
Reviewer Name: Fever Pitch Magazine
Reviewer Email: feverpitch70@hotmail.com
CD Title: In Expression
Page of Publication: Record Reviews Pg. 40 (August 2002)
Review: Composer Mark Vigil hails from Oregon and quotes Ives, Messiaen, Debussy, Reich and Adams among his favorite musicians. Disc 1 contains 6 tracks. Standouts are: "Fantasy for Solo Piano" and "Octet Wildflowers." Disc. 2 contains 10 tracks, “String Quartet No. 1” performed by the Metolius Quartet, is a moving piece that could have fit nicely in any foreign movie. “And yet There Could Be Love” is a piece for Acapella choir with text by an anonymous Vietnamese poet. One positive characteristic about Vigil's work is that no two pieces sound alike, which can often happen in minimalist/classical circle of composition. Also available is the "In A Wild Garden" CD.
The Eugene Weekly
Reviewer Name: The Eugene Weekly
Reviewer Address: 1251 Lincoln, Eugene OR 97401
Reviewer Email: editor@eugeneweekly.com
CD Title: In A Wild Garden
Page of Publication: December 14, 2000 Vol. XIX, No. 50, page 18
Review: Another worthy effort from a Eugene composer whose enviable gift for lyricism sometimes leaves the music a bit soft at the center. Highlights here include Vigil's second string quartet, piano sonata, and "Mariposa Tulip," featuring the University of Oregon's Pacific Rim gamelan. New Age and many classical fans will find everything here to be at least pleasantly soothing and utterly delectable in some moments. Brett Campbell Musica Frontera
The Eugene Register-Guard: Fred Crafts
Reviewer Name: The Eugene Register-Guard: Fred Crafts
Reviewer Address: SummerOaks Center, 3500 Chad Drive in northeast Eugene
CD Title: In Expression
Page of Publication: December 26, 1997: Arts & Crafts
Review: One that impressed enormously is In Expression, a showcase of compositions by Mark Vigil of Eugene, Oregon. Vigil was a graduate student at the University of Oregon when I first encountered his title piece at a concert. He achieved a hypnotic blend of Eastern and Western traditions by deftly melding the Women's Choral Society with Nuju Laras Javanese Gamelan. Because the gamelan's pitch is never quite the same twice, the women's chorus had a difficult time staying in tune. To anchor it, Vigil added two flutes and the result was stunning. Also pleasing on Vigil's CD calling card are the pounding octet Wildflowers and his own playing of Interlude For Solo Guitar. But nothing grabs more than the second movement of Trio for Violin, Clarinet and Piano, an enchanting Coplandesque landscape that can be revisited over and over.
Records International Catalogue
Reviewer Name: Records International Catalogue
Reviewer Address: none given
Reviewer Email: none given
CD Title: January 1999 "In Expression" cd
Review: Mark Vigil (b. 1954): With his use of Gamelan textures (whether writing for Gamelan ensemble, as in In Expression or for Western Chamber Ensemble), and somewhat minimalist material, as well as a certain new-age turn to his aesthetic, Vigil brings to mind Lou Harrison in a number of these pieces. Strictly minimalist they are not; a kind of New Romanticism pervades his work, and all the pieces here are very much tonal and readily accessible on first hearing. The incorporation of Eastern instrumental timbres adds a fascinating dimension to the music, and the composer's skillful use of his unusual forces adds to the appeal of these obviously highly personal and deeply felt expressions of the composer's aesthetic.
Todd Barton, composer in residence Shakespeare Festival, Ashland Oregon
Reviewer Name: Todd Barton, composer in residence Shakespeare Festival, Ashland Oregon
Reviewer Address: none given
Reviewer Email: bartonmusic@opendoor.com
CD Title: "Piano Music" cd
Review: What a wonderful surprise to receive your lovely cd of solo piano music! It has been a real privilege to watch you grow and deepen as a composer. I find these piano pieces to be the best work thus far--full of passion, thought and diverse emotions. Reminds me of a unique conflation of two of my favorite composers: Satie and Shostikovitch! Lovely work!
Jon Benfield DJ FM Radio Station, east coast
Reviewer Name: Jon Benfield DJ FM Radio Station, east coast
Reviewer Address: none given
Reviewer Email: jbenfield@RADFORD.EDU
CD Title: "Piano Music" cd
Review: Thanks for sending us your new "Piano Music" disc. I would be happy to put it into regular rotation. I have also produced a 60-minute program featuring your music that will go into our classical automation hard drive. Thank you very much and I look forward to hearing more of your music.
Brett Campbell, music reviewer for the Eugene Weekly 12.23.04
Reviewer Name: Brett Campbell, music reviewer for the Eugene Weekly 12.23.04
Reviewer Address: none given
Reviewer Email: editor@eugeneweekly.com
CD Title: "Piano Music" cd
Review: Devotees of easy-on-the-ears solo pianism will also appreciate Mark Vigil's striking new collection of fantasies, preludes and sonatas, splendidly performed by pianist Sandy Holder. The Eugene composer's third release reveals growing depth and sophistication as he sprinkles occasional welcome dissonances into his hitherto relentlessly tonal recipe—and, like salt on watermelon, it makes the flavor all the richer. Like Gary Nolands's, this disk is revommended for fans of modern piano music.