Reviews & Press
Critical acclaim and press reviews of Bruce Paine’s classical guitar performances and recordings. See what critics and audiences have said about his work.
In September 2012 the UK Classical Guitar magazine published a review of the Alberton DVD.
ALBERTON: a time travel device
Review by Wade Doak, August 2012
Bruce Paine has created a brilliant multi media composition "Alberton" that takes us time travelling to the Victorian era on the wings of his guitar music. As befits a slower age, the production has the gentle pace of a dream journey. We explore the past on so many unusual levels: from the aesthetics of William Morris wall paper to Indian design we watch a colonial farm house evolve into a stately home. There is an amazing duet with bagpipes and guitar and another in which the musician blends with a sprightly music box tune with the subtlety of double skipping. Generation by generation we pass through the lives of a Victorian family from a Scottish General to his pioneering son and his games playing, dancing Auckland family, from their local bird life to long tailed horses and yes, even the mundane but other worldly contents of the caretaker's shed: every iota on the disc contributes to the story and has its special significance. We are intrigued at the skill of the music box repairer.
Alberton Reviews
"...a marvelous combination of music, video, and concert." - Rogue Cinema
Read the full review of Alberton by the Rogue Cinema published 4th March 2013.
Review by well known New Zealand historian Dick Scott...
"I thoroughly enjoyed watching the DVD. Most impressive are Bruce's new classical guitar compositions and also learning more about Alberton and the Kerr Taylor family and their contribution to Auckland and New Zealand's rich heritage. The DVD is a treasure to help commemorate the 150th anniversary of the house being built and for future generations to learn of our past."
Dick Scott, Auckland. (Dick Scott is a well known New Zealand historian and author of numerous publications including "In Old Mt Albert" and "Ask That Mountain" (named by the Sunday Star Times in 1995 as one of the most significant books ever published in New Zealand.), May 2012)
Alberton
Bruce Paine has devoted a huge amount of time, talent and technique to this project, and it has all paid off handsomely.
His musical portrait of Alberton and its founding family is lovingly painted. To sumptuous cinematography, he brings his own original compositions, performed with consummate skill in a style that is elegantly relaxed and unfailingly musical.
Classical Guitar Magazine
January 2009 edition
Reviewed by Steve Marsh
"Bruce Paine's original compositions are amongst the finest I've had the pleasure to review..."