Reviews: What the world is saying about Steven Mead

Subject Association Title Author
From the Deep The British Bandsman

Since Tormod Flaten burst onto our scene as principal euphonium of Eikanger-Bjørsvik Band (a position he held until recently), his performances on the concert and contest platform have proved him to be one of Norway’s most successful brass soloists and have most certainly made him one of the busiest euphonium players in Europe today.

 David Thornton
Colours of the World www.4barsrest.com ...offers Steve the chance to show how adept he is at coping with the flurries of notes in the outer sections, contrasting with the smooth legato of the central segment. Peter Bale
World of the Euphonium Vol. 5

4Barsrest
Solo Cd of the Year 2006

 www.4barsrest.com As before, one cannot help but admire the dedication - and the amount of studio time - involved in producing such a volume Peter Bale
www.tubanews.com - December 2006 Stunning musicianship, the absolute model of what a euphonium should sound like, technique and range like no other, crystal-clear quality of recording, and brand new repertoire Pat Stuckemeyer
www.4barsrest.com Like all great fortified wines, his playing has matured with age ... musically, he inhabits a different planet altogether. Iwan Fox
Euphonium Virtuoso www.4barsrest.com You have got to hand it to Steven Mead. The term virtuoso is an apt and accurate description of the man and his talents. Iwan Fox
Brass Band World ...captivating selection of pieces, and unbelievably brilliant playing. Anthony Leggett
British Bandsman a real delight from start to finish Andy Duncan
arranger (Ponchielli) perfomance is truly wonderful. I appreciate so much the flexibility that you have brought to the interpretation... incredible work. Henry Howey
composer absolutely TERRIFIC! Philip Sparke
composer Many, many thanks for this new recording of my concerto, which must surely become the ultimate model for all future performances. Joseph Horovitz
Scottish fan a marvelous testament to beautiful and exciting music. Donald McMillan
UK fan Another fantastic CD which I'm really enjoying listening to. Alex Seedhouse
BBC Radio 'Sounds of Brass' Congratulations ... another superlative selection of music. Phillip Hunt
Brassin'Mozart 2006 www.4barsrest.com The presentation is first class ... excellent teamwork between soloists and accompaniment Peter Bale
British Bandsman This is not a recording full of fireworks... but the style and control of both soloists and the ensemble shows great virtuosity of a much more subtle kind David Thornton
Locomotion www.kwadratuur.be - Belgium CD website “Locomotion” belongs without a doubt to Steven Mead's best work Olivier Verhelst
ITEA Journal One can tell immediately that this project holds a special significance for Steve Jason Ham
www.4barsrest.com Steven's playing is to his usual high standard... maintaining the musicality regardless of any pyrotechnics... Peter Bale

He amazes, astonishes and astounds.... Howard Snell
Euphonium Magic 2 www.4barsrest.com Is it possible to have too much of a good thing? Peter Bale
ITEA Journal My jaw is on the floor... Jason d. Ham
British Bandsman Mr. Mead astounds and delights Peter Wilson
Brass Band World Euphonium Magic 2 follows on from the resounding success of its predecessor. Jonathan Crane
Tubanews.com Mead has done it again... magic that is David Ball
Japanese website it is the reference, should buy, should hear!
Bella Italia British Bandsman Magazine 13 Dec. 2003 Mead reminds us about the art of playing a melody Dr. Roy Newsome
Euphonium Magic Brass band website www.4barsrest.com

Review of Euphonium Magic

 Malcolm Wood
Brass Band World

Technical Wizardry Conjured from Magic

 Jonathan Crane
British Bandsman Magazine 13 Dec. 2003

‘Sorcerer’ Mead weaves his magic on multi-track release

 Dr. Roy Newsome
Concert in Germany with the Musikverein Ossweil Stadtkapelle Ludwigsburg


A Growling Bear

 Angelika Baumeister
Oration CD

Brass Band Review, UK

 Review for Oration Dennis Wilby
Brass Band World, UK The Euphonium Gospel according to virtuoso Steven... Vernon Brigs
Concertino CD TUBA Journal Summer 2000 Review for Concertino Dr. Sharon E. Huff
The Essential Steven Mead TUBA Journal Summer 2000 Review for The Essential Steven Mead Dr. Sharon E. Huff
The British Bandsman Review for The Essential Steven Mead Peter Wilson
Falcone Festival 2000 TUBA Journal Fall 2000 Falcone Festival 2000


European Brass Band Championships 2000 Brass Review EBB Championships 2000

Dennis Wilby
Brass Band World EBB Championships 2000 Vernon Briggs
The British Bandsman EBB Championships 2000 Peter Wilson
SM Series Mouthpieces Riva del Garda, Italy Hands down, your mouthpieces have always been the very obvious choice Emily Harris
Bandsman, USA Because of your mouthpiece, I sound better... Martin A. Richling,
ITEA President A Million Dollars! Skip Gray
Euph, Allentown Band USA I wish I had done this before! Clearnce Weber
Motor City Brass Band I love my new SM4! Mark Stephens
Amarillo, Texas Fabulous! Frank Hall
Mississippi State University Absoslutely love it! Larry Lane

British Bandsman: "His recital was a tour de force of flawless technique, incredible virtuosity and a refined and appropriate sense of good taste and true musicianship."

Brass Bulletin: "...when he puts the mouthpiece to his lips, you know instantly that you are in the presence of an extraordinary musician."

The Gramaphone: "The music immediately impresses on the listener Mead's talent as a musician and communicator. Mead's lyricism is simply a joy to behold."

Brass Band World: "A standing ovation coaxed Steven back on stage, and completely unaccompanied, gave the audience a virtuostic performance almost beyond belief. The crowd were enthralled."

T.U.B.A. Journal: "What better way to end a concert by an essentially British tradition (brass band) than a performance by the unquenchable Steven Mead? Following a flawless performance of Golland's Concerto for Euphonium and Band, Mead stole the show with his encore arrangement of Rule Britannia, complete with tattered Union Jack waved aloft as he flew through the last several bravura bars."