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.
I must say your CD is excellent! I especially like your interpretation of Three Russian Waltzes by my father, Stepan Rak. Your version is full of life and emotion, with great investment and all the lines in its polyphony is fully logical and understandable - that is rare in the guitar world!
BRUCE PAINE: Guitar @ Museum
New Zealand Musician
Vol. 14 No 6, Oct/Nov 2008
Reviewed by Mark Laurent
This is a not strictly fresh album from Bruce Paine who is a very fine classical guitarist. Since graduating with honours from Auckland University in 1995, Bruce has given recitals in NZ, Austria, the Czech Republic and Britain. This is his third album, and it’s excellent.
Fine guitar concert at Linton
The Akaroa Mail, Friday February 22 2002
Reviewed by Jim Marron
Bruce Paine playing his new Capper guitar brought the wonderful sounds of Spain to Akaroa Saturday night Feb 9th at Linton, Josie Martin''s B&B on Rue Balguerie.
The Press, Christchurch, Wednesday, February 13, 2002
Echoes of Spain : Bruce Paine (guitar) and artwork by Josie Martin
February 9, The Giant's House ("Linton"), Akaroa
Reviewed by Patrick Shepherd
"Guitarist Paine a name to watch"
Josie Martin's art and music soirees never fail to please, and for those who have not yet made the trip over the hill a treat awaits. A convivial atmosphere among Martin's extraordinarily vibrant paintings, sculptures and mosaics (there are new delights with every visit) showcased the talent of young Auckland guitarist Bruce Paine in a programme featuring Spanish, or Spanish influenced music.
This was the first South Island venue for his short New Zealand tour, and for those in Timaru, Oamaru, and Dunedin, I strongly urge you to treat yourself and go along when he comes to town, starting with Timaru next Sunday. His informal and interesting links and engaging manner gave the audience a good feel for the music, and his playing backed it up.
BRUCE PAINE Recital for Guitar, March 18 2001
With a quiet and unassuming stage manner Bruce set the scene for an intimate concert of well prepared and sensitive playing. The opening set by British composer Derek Hasted gave the concert a good kick start with fresh, clean tonalities and sufficient contrast of moods to arouse the listeners'' interest. The set of Cuban folk songs arranged by Brouwer revealed some fine control of tone colour by the performer and the careful attention to phrasing avoided the possibility of blandness in pieces that would be better served by orchestral scoring. Koshkin''s Guitar lifted the concert a few more notches. The composer not only has a very individual and recognisable style but a fine sense of form and musical structure. Revealed also by the performance was the inherent sense a drama in the music of Koshkin.