O Duo - Press Reviews

Commission: Stephen McNeff ConcertO Duo

Stephen McNeff’s ConcertO Duo, written for the outrageously talented percussionists O Duo (Oliver Cox and Owen Gunnell) plays to their strengths by exploiting split-second timing and staggering virtuosity on anything that could reasonably be hit with a stick.

Barry Millington, London Evening Standard, 25 October 2010

It [ConcertO Duo] was written for the O Duo percussion duo, who really are the most astonishing double act, running back and forth between the two huge batteries without missing a beat… the slow movement, where the percussionists draped ribbons of sound over the orchestra’s song, was nicely judged.

Ivan Hewett, Daily Telegraph, 25 October 2010

Owen Gunnell and Olly Cox brought a tremendous amount of energy and sense of fun to the piece… this was an engaging work that made imaginative use of the instruments and staging, from whistles and untuned percussion recalling a carnival dance, to the more dark, funereal atmosphere created by tubular bells. As composer Stephen McNeff reminds us, ‘a concerto is designed to let the soloists show off’ and, performing with great flair and precision, O duo certainly did this in the best sense.

Hannah Gill, Bachtrack, 24 October 2010