CGQ Reviews

Concert Reviews 

"…fantastic, spirited playing and sheer inventiveness…” wrote Julia Crowe in her Letter from New York column for Classical Guitar Magazine, ENGLAND (2008).

"The Canadian Guitar Quartet made one of the greatest New York City debuts of any artistic ensemble in decades at the 92nd Street Y ‘Art of The Guitar Series’ … STUNNING !“, wrote Don Witter Jr. of the New York City Classical Guitar Society, USA (2007). 
“… fabulous… highly energetic, precise and musically convincing… a brilliant close to the week.” Mark Switzer, review of the Guitar Foundation of America 2004 closing concert for Soundboard magazine, USA (2005).
“…the Canadian Guitar Quartet took the stage by storm… Highly recommended!” Andrew Stroud, review of the 2004 Stetson International Guitar Workshop for Soundboard magazine, USA (2005).
“Four guitar virtuosos in concert with the Kamloops Symphony mesmerized a Sagebrush Theatre audience… lived up to their reputation for superb stage performance…” Mike Youds, The Daily News, Kamloops, CANADA (2004).
“The Canadian Guitar Quartet … exemplify the best traditions of musical ensemble playing … watching the guitarists is a treat.”  “Aux Rythmes des Quartiers Latins [is] a memorable treat … the scoring is first rate.”David Green, The Leader-Post, Regina, CANADA (2003). 
 “… sparks of colour and invention built into [Roux’s] instantly memorable music …”
The Georgia Strait, Vancouver, CANADA (2002).  
 “… engaging and entertaining … Clin d’oeil au bal de quartier is a moving and beautiful tribute to Roux’s parents.”
Robert Crew, The Toronto Star, CANADA (2001).  
“Brilliantly done … Roux's compositions for this team bristle with life and inventiveness, and we hope and expect they'll get a very wide audience … Hats off!”
- Jan Narveson, Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society, CANADA (2001).
 “…fine musicians … top-notch, individually and as an ensemble… real musical depth.”
- Richard Todd, Ottawa Citizen, CANADA (2000).
 “The Canadian Guitar Quartet started our inaugural 1999-2000 season with a stunning recital. Their musicianship and ensemble were outstanding.  Their performances of Patrick Roux's compositions, which were written expressly for the quartet, were especially compelling.”
- Michael Bracken, New Guitar Concert Series, Toronto, CANADA (1999).
 “The music of Patrick Roux is always entirely effective … The result is compelling for its strength, vitality, breadth, and sheer compositional challenge.”
- Geneviève Chanut, Les cahiers de la guitare, Paris, FRANCE.
CD Reviews

Portrait I
“Les Scènes de Quartier, Alla Piazzolla … are notable for the great vitality and current appropriateness of their compositional inventiveness ... truly impressive.”
“The Canadian Guitar Quartet tackles all with great brilliance and with an optimal mastery of instruments … thereby confirming a secure musical reality of international dimension.”
“Guitart” Magazine, ITALY (2002), translated from Italian.
“An interesting program, combined with strong performances, makes this a very attractive first recording for the Canadian Guitar Quartet.” James Reid, Soundboard magazine, USA (2002).
 “… demonstrate[s] the quartet’s excellence of ensemble and keen musical consensus.”   **** rating, Richard Todd, Ottawa Citizen, CANADA (2001).
 “…the cumulative effect is quite magical, and the music itself is marvelous… Roux’s second work, Alla Piazzolla, is a comparably striking tribute to the late, great composer and performer… beautifully played and presented in first-rate sound… the Canadian Guitar Quartet is dazzling.” John Lambert, Fanfare magazine, USA (2001).
“…This is absolute music, reflecting the style of Piazzolla but also the originality and ingenuity of Roux… I would certainly buy tickets to hear these musicians play these pieces. This is excellent, evocative music, superbly performed and recorded… One cannot imagine better ensemble playing.” Robert McColley, Fanfare magazine, USA (2001).
 “Excellent CD!  Patrick Roux’ Carnaval has tremendous impact and Alla Piazzolla has very much accomplished the style.  Great sound – both of the group and the recording.”
-Victor Villadangos, guitarist, ARGENTINA (2001).
“The quartet is a very tight ensemble, the recorded sound is excellent, Patrick Roux's compositions are fresh and original and the transcriptions they play are very exciting. One of the best guitar ensemble CDs I've heard recently.”
- Fabio Zanon, guitarist, BRAZIL (2001).

Les scènes de quartiers

"This is really exciting, exhilarating chamber-music-playing … If guitars or tangos appeal, then buy this CD and be delighted." Paul Ingram, Fanfare Magazine, USA (2004). 

“This release contains four world-premiere recordings and shows off the remarkable talents of the four members of the quartet to the full, in particular the compositional skills of member Patrick Roux. There is an energy and passion throughout the whole of this recording project which is often missing on many other recordings and this, plus the exceptional musicianship talents from everyone concerned, makes this cd one of the best to come my way in a long time. Recommended.” Steve Marsh, Classical Guitar Magazine, USA (2004).

“…the quartet’s playing is impeccable: flashy and tight.” American Record Guide, USA (2004)

“The quartet attains superb ensemble precision.” Réjean Beaucage, La Scena Musicale, CANADA (2004), translated from French.