Critical Acclaim for "Becoming a Redwood"

In the March 2007 issue of Gramophone Magazine, Lawrence A. Johnson gave a rave review of Lori’s “Becoming a Redwood.”  Ranking Lori alongside Ned Rorem, the review goes on to say that “This disc gives increasing evidence of a major talent — Laitman’s beautiful, sensitively crafted songs deserve to be performed widely and much better known.”  Click here to see the full review in PDF format.

Robert Moore reviewed the Redwood CD in the March/April 2007 issue of American Record Guide. “One especially enjoyable aspect of this release is the variety of voices and accompaniments. The nine singers are all admirable....This is music worth knowing, and these artists are exceptionally adept at helping us hear just how good it is.”

In the May/June 2007 issue, Gregory Berg of The Journal of Singing writes, “Here is yet another collection that confirms the greatness of song composer Lori Laitman. It is difficult to think of anyone before the public today who equals her exceptional gifts for embracing a poetic text and giving it new and deeper life through music. She has an unerring way of enhancing a text's beauty and meaning while not obscuring the text through artifice or excess. One also has to admire how deeply personal her songs are, and that depth of self-expression is surely one of the chief reasons why singers are drawn to her work and find her songs so gratifying to perform.”

The very first review was released in November, 2006 by the online newsletter “Artsong Update.”  “This is an impressive CD on several counts. Contemporary art song composers often take years to become widely known. Lori Laitman has been successful in getting her music out to an audience of singers and listeners. On this her third CD there are nine singers, three pianists (including the composer) and a trio of string instrumentalists active on stage and recital halls in America today. The performances are outstanding throughout...This is an indication of how much excitement there is in the music community for the songs of this award-winning composer. “ — John Campbell and Steve Brockman.