Reviews

I loved it! Kate and Byron both sound fabulous, and the pieces really work. CONGRATULATIONS!
– Bill Cahn, NEXUS

I love the design and think your recording of Kembang Suling is just great! Congratulations on a fabulous album. Love the Harrison too! I just love what you've done with the piece. It's always fascinating to hear how different interpretations can add new dimensions to the music. You did a mighty fine job of it – very rhythmically accurate. Thanks again for your wonderful work – I very much appreciate it.
– Gareth Farr, Composer

This recording has certainly brightened my part of the world. I have been listening to this remarkable CD from these fine musicians from Asheville, NC almost non-stop for several days and find it positively addicting and hypnotic in its enchantment. The pieces presented are varied and fresh and have a nice cohesion of mood and appeal. The opening cut, Alec Wilder's Flute Piece No. 1 with Bongo, swirls around you with the smoky tone of the low flutes and spritely dance drum figures. Recently departed Lou Harrison's early Concerto for Flute and Percussion receives a driving performance with a swinging feel that nicely contrasts the rhythmic repetitions and patterns of the flute with the shifting accents of the percussion.

Three works by South Carolina composer Andrew Levin (Clare's Waltz, Gypsy Waltz, and Black Mountain Farewell), are especially welcome additions to the literature for this compelling combination of instruments. Percussionist Hedgepeth's ingenious arrangement for flute and marimba of the Howard Hanson Serenade puts this lovely work in a whole new framework. Their playing of the Andante from J.S. Bach's Sonata in E minor is as lyrical and legato a rendition as you can imagine; and their version of three southern spirituals (Wade in the Water, Amazing Grace, and Wade in the Water) has a bluesy lyricism not expected from this instrumental combination.

The crowning achievement of this fine set of works is New Zealand composer Gareth Farr's enchanting Kembang Suling, based on musical styles of Balinese, Japanese, and Indian traditional music. What a smashing performance! Throughout the album, there is an abundance of charming, insightful, and communicative playing that makes this combination of instruments sound as natural and straightforward as breathing all together, a comfortable conversation and personal expression of deeply held ideas and emotions.
– Jerry Pritchard, The Flute Network

Imaginative programming and irresistible grooves draw the listener right in to this well-engineered recording. Steinbeck's playing is colorful and beautifully versatile, evoking modern and ancient styles where appropriate. Hanson's Serenade arranged for flute and marimba by percussionist Byron Hedgepeth is a revelation.
– Elizabeth Watson, president of the Greater Boston Flute Association, The Gazette

I have at last listened to the CD you sent me and was very impressed. [Kate] is a fine player. I loved the bass flute and all the arrangements. Please pass on my congratulations.
– Sir James Galway, flutist

Armed with nothing more than a flute and various percussion instruments, this duo presents a very relaxing disc. It's an intimate recording (at points you can hear
Steinbeck draw breath between flute lines) that seems to let you in to the recording studio. A pleasant place to take your ears.
– Steven J. Athanas, A&E Editor, Toledo City Paper

...your cd title, Light in the Corner, reminds me of the Buddha's last spoken words. In suggestion that the ultimate equanimity comes from a mind free of wanting, and with such liberation comes the capacity to let things be just as they are. The Buddha said as he lay dying, "Be a light unto yourself." Your cd brings that light into the lives of all who can hear.
– Elizabeth Gaston, flutist, Castro Valley, CA

Kate and Byron have put together a unique combination of pieces to form a most attractive recital program, well balanced and superbly performed.
– William Hebert, Piccoloist emeritus, Cleveland Orchestra

I just wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying the CD, Light in
the Corner. Her tone is fantastic..pure, flexible...
– Doug Worthen, flutist, New Hampshire

The playing and the engineering are excellent, and the instruments seem to project naturally.The effect is stunning. Kembang Suling by Gareth Farr shows off the incredible ensemble skills of this duo.
– FLUTE TALK magazine

One of the things that immediately strikes the listener upon hearing Kate Steinbeck and Byron Hedgepeth's lovely new CD, Light in the Corner, is that it is uncatagorizable. It seems to draw upon the musical sensibilities of new age, classical, crossover, without ever veering into the genre known as fusion; the whole enterprise being informed by the artists' combined years of experience as classically trained musicians. A beautiful offering from two of Asheville's best!
– Richard Layman, Host of WCQS‚ Jazzshack

I have been listening to Light in the Corner with great pleasure and admiration. I like everything about it from the uncharacteristic bit from Alec Wilder to the bluesy additions to Amazing Grace.
– Fred Chappell, Author

Congratulations on a great production. (Yet another!)
– Eric Dircksen, Freelance bassoonist, Washington, DC

Kate and Byron make a superb musical team. I enjoyed the variety of selections from the world music sound to classical.
– Milt Crott, Director, Warren Wilson Chorale

I have heard flutist Kate Steinbeck's new CD – and her playing is terrific, as is the playing of her duo partner Byron Hedgepeth. I particularly enjoyed the fascinating Concerto for Flute and Percussion by Lou Harrison.
– Isabelle Chapuis Starr, Professor of flute, San Jose State University and Principal flutist, San Jose Opera

......GREAT playing and music making ....sumptuous tone colors and flexibility and highly engaging intensities.
– David Leviston, Flutist

Kate plays with a warm sound and an even warmer heart – her generous and inspired playing is a testament to her superb musicianship as well as to her love of music. This is an exceptionally beautiful CD with selections for every taste and style.
– Eliane Lust, Pianist

(If you would like your review added, please contact Kate Steinbeck or Byron Hedgepeth)