Recent reviews for Lasser's 12 Variations on a Chorale by J.S. Bach:

" Throughout the afternoon, it was the slow movements, the hymns and little arias, the delicate dances in a suite by Bach, the hypnotically iridescent colors in a new piece by composer Philip Lasser, that cast the strongest spell. "
Philip Kennicott;
The Washington Post

 

" Mr. Lasser’s work, based on Bach’s “Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott,” is an inventive set of 12 variations in a deceptively traditional style. Mr. Lasser keeps Bach’s harmonic framework fully in view, and his own language remains resolutely tonal. Yet a graceful chromaticism gives his melodic expansions on the chorale an inviting freshness and, at times, the hint of a jazz influence. Ms. Dinnerstein played the work from a score, but her performance was as thoughtful and as sharply etched as her Bach. "
Allan Kozinn;
The New York Times

 

" The great discovery of the recital was the new ( ...) work by composer (...) Philip Lasser that Dinnerstein has been championing. Proceeding seamlessly from the Bach theme, the idiom remains mostly tonal, allowing Lasser to explore most of the traditional twists of the variation genre, placing the tune in the bass, paraphrasing it in imitative snippets, dressing it up in different stylistic costumes. At the same time, as a more or less "post-atonal" composer, he drew out other sympathetic vibrations from the original: chromatically altered chords in the jazzy fifth variation of harmonic substitutions, a Ravel-esque jets d'eau sixth variation (Lasser studied in France), an obsessive iteration of the half-step motifs in the tune in the eighth variation (...) Lasser (...) is a composer to watch. "
Charles Downey
Ionarts, Washington DC

 

" These are variations in the true sense of the word, massive, virtuosic and richly textured in the manner of Rachmaninov or Brahms, Lasser is a composer with something to say and knows how to say it. "
Roger Steptoe;
French News, Paris, France

 

" ... (Simone) Dinnerstein gives the world premiere recording of
Philip Lasser’s (12) Variations on a Bach Chorale (Nimm von uns,
Herr, du treuer Gott – ‘Take from us, Lord, Thou faithful God’), a
bracingly inventive work in the tonal tradition upon which
Dinnerstein lavishes the same devoted care and insights as in the
Bach and Beethoven. A stunning recital, engineered with tactile
precision. "
Julian Haylock;
International Piano Magazine

 

" Most impressive, though, is Dinnerstein’s performance of Philip Lasser’s masterly Variations on a Chorale of Bach. The composer puts the master through his paces, from the stark, Bartókian glee of the sixth variation to the near-pop rippling of the twelfth. He even demonstrates an evolved sense of humor with the eleventh section, a “Variation of Variations.” But Lasser, like Dinnerstein, shows restraint, carving out a beautifully calm space rather than impressing through velocity. In this, the artist and composer are an ideal match. "
Daniel Felsenfeld;
Time Out , New York

 

Recent reviews for other works:

Prelude "From Winter to Spring" for solo piano
" Lasser hears long melodies and chordal accompaniments much as Brahms or a young Debussy might have. "
Bernard Holland;
The New York Times

 

Manchester Miniature for String Quartet
" a finely constructed, strong and convincing movement…with a distinctive American flavor… "
Joseph Schaaf;
Bennington Banner

 

" Every piece is a gem, including four standards and one enjoyable new piece by Philip Lasser. "
Chaffee;
American Record Guide.

 

" Circle of Dreams' is well made. The uneven phrase lengths engage
the ear, and the composer's ability to manage long lyrical lines with
grace is considerable. "
Bernard Holland;
The New York Times

 

Sonata for Flute and Piano
" Finally , a Sonata which can wonderfully be integrated into a varied and complete Flute and Piano recital program "
Magazine Flutes Travesières

 

Sonata for Flute and Piano
"... I wouldn't want to be without the Jean Francaix and Philip Lasser sonatas -- delectable pieces both. "
P. Scott;
Fanfare Magazine

 

Trio in F-sharp for Violin, Cello and Piano
" … a breathtaking composition…. Yes, this composition has something to say. It is a rich and dynamic American contribution to the world of music. "
J. Prestwood;
El Paso Times

 

Chaconne Variations for Violin and Piano
" This was restrained Bach, in repose – with muted but sensitive and intelligent further commentary from Lasser. "
Kenneth Carter;
Classicalsource.co

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