Four-Stringed Voice
author: Judy Offman
I was just sent this phenomenal CD and I had to listen to the entire CD. Ms. Justen does the violin proud with her mastery of this instrument. Her unique combinations of songs, motifs, imagery is majical. I particularly enjoyed all of the nature sounds and the Tango scordatura. I can't wait to hear her next album!
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Masterful playing
author: Lynda
What a find! The sounds produced by Ms. Justen are sophisticated and beautiful (not unlike the image on the cd case, I might add!). Sometimes vigorous, other times dreamlike, this satisfying music speaks from the soul. Her technical mastery gives her the freedom to do whatever she wants with her instrument. Phenomenal!
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Evocative violin improvisation at its best!
author: Donald Beebe
This album offers some of the most innovative violin playing performed by a virtuoso communicator. Trained as a Classical violinist, Gloria Justen applies her lyricism and pyrotechnics to bring to life her own compositions. “Night in the Roof Garden” is a dramatic masterpiece, complemented by witty and provocative forays into evolving musical styles. Justen’s use of the violin is singular in her exploration of its expressive possibilities. She is a snake charmer who encircles listeners with her music making that evolves before their ears and eyes. Only a composer comfortable with improvisation is equipped to share this kind of experience. Four-Stringed Voice well captures what her audiences in Philadelphia and San Francisco hear in her live performances.
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A palette of colors
author: Rosalie
Ms. Justen is able to produce a diverse palette of tone colors on the violin. Her music, although influenced by Bartok, Ysaye, and Stravinsky, is strictly her own. Her evoking sounds from nature, such as moths and birds, is full of imagery and imagination. The music is fascinating to hear and experience.
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