Reviews

"David Ott's Concerto for Two Cellos is a totally beguilling piece a music...His concerto is dramatic; it sings; it has a sense of dialogue; brilliant display; pensive musings; rich harmonies. It is a superb piece of music." WASHINGTON POST

"It was a case of love at first hearing. Long and spontaneous cheers - complete with hoots, whistles and a standing ovation. Mr. Rostropovich hugged and kissed the composer and his cellists as the packed house roared its approval." WASHINGTON TIMES

"'Water Garden' sparkles and flows in small trickles and powerful rumbling sounds that are thick and enchanting. It is an experience of first encouter that transcends its subject. 'Water Garden' is thoroughly modern and thoroughtly pleasing." KNOXVILLE JOURNAL

History was made at the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra concert Thursday night. The teaming of composer David Ott, a rising star is ever there was one, violist Paul Neubauer, surely one the world's greatest and our own fine KSO. The fascination of Ott's concerto lies in the intricate mesh of power and great delicacy. It doesn't have the excessive orchestration or the sogginess of neo-romantic music, but it does possess that kind of emotional pull. The enduring virtues are the warm, dreamy melodies and mellow, embellished melodies woven closely into the orchestra's harmonic fabric." THE OAK RIDGER

"David Ott's writing has the qualities of the new music that offers will for a new decade. This is music which gives us assurance the-YES!-there will be continued search for the palatable, for melody, for beauty of sound." Karl Hass on Adventures in Good Music.