Reviews
"Aisling Casey was Nigel Kennedy's partner in the Concerto for Violin & Oboe (Bach) and she matched Kennedy in every way in this too-rarely heard masterpiece. Their chosen tempo in the slow movement allowed the glorious melodies to soar and swoop majestically without a hint of sentimentality while the spanking pace of the final Allegro gave both an opportunity to revel in the joys of virtuosity."
The Examiner, Ireland. Review of concert with Nigel Kennedy in
City Hall, Cork.
"...expressive soloist"
The Guardian, London. Review of Barbican performance of Vivaldi concerto with Nigel Kennedy.
"Within the comfortable musical context which Christian Zacherias produced behind the piano, the four wind players could play freely and musically whereby oboist Aisling Casey was particularly striking."
Noordhollands Dagblad - Holland. Review of Mozart Quintet performance in Main Hall of Concertgebouw, Amsterdam.
"The highpoint of the concert for me was L'Horloge de Flore by the French composer Jean Francaix....Such decorative music needs to be played well; and the oboe soloist, Cork-born Aisling Casey, did not disappoint. From long-line cantabile to chirping, angular dexterity, she made tricky music sound effortless; and her responsive contribution to the intimate discourse between orchestra and oboe was impeccable. With all those strengths, and with some sound accompaniment by conductor and orchestra, it was a persuasive performance."
The Irish Times. Review of performance in the National Concert Hall, Dublin.
"...one of the rising stars of her generation....polished and expressive playing combined with an effortless that remained with her throughout the recital..." "If her longer diminuendos occasionally betrayed some initial nervousness in the Adagio of Schumann's Adagio & Allegro which she chose to open her programme, there was little else to fault her in this eloquent curtain raiser. The seamless legatos and exquisite phrasing would have dispelled any of Schumann's doubts about transferring this piece from its original place in the horn repertoire. Every possible ounce of characterization in each of Britten's Temporal Variations which followed was utilised to convey the abundant contrasts wrought by the composer from such a simple genesis........an impressive quality of performance."
The Double Reed, British Double Reed Society. Review of recital in The Purcell Room, South Bank Centre, London.
"Not since the late Leon Goossens do I recall such an exquisite control of pianissimo in the very highest notes of the instrument. This was a performance of consummate artistry."
The Examiner, Ireland. Review of recital in Cork.
"Her style in Mozart is natural and direct, the delivery easy and musical, the solistic presence achieved without any forcing."
The Irish Times. Review of Mozart Concerto performance, National Concert Hall, Dublin.
"The performance of Aisling Casey and the Vanbrugh Quartet could hardly be bettered for neatness of ensemble and sympathy of interpretation. Especially pleasing was the oboist's rich and and rounded tone."
The Irish Times. Review of Bax Oboe Quintet, Dublin.
"Aisling Casey made her oboe sound like an extraordinarily pure and fluent singing voice. Her playing was so natural and unaffected that it transcended the superficial showiness of the composition."
The Irish Times. Review of Pasculli Concerto performance, National Concert Hall, Dublin.
"Aisling Casey was a revelation in Mozart's Oboe Concerto. This was a well-nigh faultlessly flighted and controlled demonstration of first class tone allied to a sure rhythmical sense. Her breath control was amazing and her confidence seemed to inspire the orchestra. This was a performance I would not have a missed for any counter-attraction."
The Examiner. Review of performance, University College Cork.
"Aisling Casey's dexterity, clear articulation and excellent tone control were shown to best advantage her in her brilliant performance of Kalliwoda's Morceau de Salon."
Eastern Province Herald, South Africa. Review of recital in East London.
"A very strong and confident player with a beautiful dark sound...great flexibility and a broad range of performing skills."
The Double Reed, British Double Reed Society. Review of Strauss Concerto.
The Examiner, Ireland. Review of concert with Nigel Kennedy in
City Hall, Cork.
"...expressive soloist"
The Guardian, London. Review of Barbican performance of Vivaldi concerto with Nigel Kennedy.
"Within the comfortable musical context which Christian Zacherias produced behind the piano, the four wind players could play freely and musically whereby oboist Aisling Casey was particularly striking."
Noordhollands Dagblad - Holland. Review of Mozart Quintet performance in Main Hall of Concertgebouw, Amsterdam.
"The highpoint of the concert for me was L'Horloge de Flore by the French composer Jean Francaix....Such decorative music needs to be played well; and the oboe soloist, Cork-born Aisling Casey, did not disappoint. From long-line cantabile to chirping, angular dexterity, she made tricky music sound effortless; and her responsive contribution to the intimate discourse between orchestra and oboe was impeccable. With all those strengths, and with some sound accompaniment by conductor and orchestra, it was a persuasive performance."
The Irish Times. Review of performance in the National Concert Hall, Dublin.
"...one of the rising stars of her generation....polished and expressive playing combined with an effortless that remained with her throughout the recital..." "If her longer diminuendos occasionally betrayed some initial nervousness in the Adagio of Schumann's Adagio & Allegro which she chose to open her programme, there was little else to fault her in this eloquent curtain raiser. The seamless legatos and exquisite phrasing would have dispelled any of Schumann's doubts about transferring this piece from its original place in the horn repertoire. Every possible ounce of characterization in each of Britten's Temporal Variations which followed was utilised to convey the abundant contrasts wrought by the composer from such a simple genesis........an impressive quality of performance."
The Double Reed, British Double Reed Society. Review of recital in The Purcell Room, South Bank Centre, London.
"Not since the late Leon Goossens do I recall such an exquisite control of pianissimo in the very highest notes of the instrument. This was a performance of consummate artistry."
The Examiner, Ireland. Review of recital in Cork.
"Her style in Mozart is natural and direct, the delivery easy and musical, the solistic presence achieved without any forcing."
The Irish Times. Review of Mozart Concerto performance, National Concert Hall, Dublin.
"The performance of Aisling Casey and the Vanbrugh Quartet could hardly be bettered for neatness of ensemble and sympathy of interpretation. Especially pleasing was the oboist's rich and and rounded tone."
The Irish Times. Review of Bax Oboe Quintet, Dublin.
"Aisling Casey made her oboe sound like an extraordinarily pure and fluent singing voice. Her playing was so natural and unaffected that it transcended the superficial showiness of the composition."
The Irish Times. Review of Pasculli Concerto performance, National Concert Hall, Dublin.
"Aisling Casey was a revelation in Mozart's Oboe Concerto. This was a well-nigh faultlessly flighted and controlled demonstration of first class tone allied to a sure rhythmical sense. Her breath control was amazing and her confidence seemed to inspire the orchestra. This was a performance I would not have a missed for any counter-attraction."
The Examiner. Review of performance, University College Cork.
"Aisling Casey's dexterity, clear articulation and excellent tone control were shown to best advantage her in her brilliant performance of Kalliwoda's Morceau de Salon."
Eastern Province Herald, South Africa. Review of recital in East London.
"A very strong and confident player with a beautiful dark sound...great flexibility and a broad range of performing skills."
The Double Reed, British Double Reed Society. Review of Strauss Concerto.