Concert Reviews

Musique Royale Tour August 2009

‘What do a hurdy gurdy, a bass clarinet, a set of bagpipes, and Norwegian lyrics add up to? A rocking good time is the answer, as I discovered this weekend when I discovered Ensemble Polaris…go see them if you get the chance!’
Audience member’s blog, Iona, NS

'Their concert was not only flawless but incredibly engaging with the audience. So much talent, so much heart and such humility'
Peter Miller, Musique Royale, Middleton, NS

‘This was an absolutely delightful concert of the highest calibre... The photo gallery of this performance can be viewed here with the track “Polska Efter Byss-Calle” from their CD “Vikings on Vacation” playing over the images. This was a wonderful evening.’
www.shadowsandlight.ca (http://www.shadowsandlight.ca/announcements/polaris/)

WHO’S WHO IN VALHALLA at St Barnabas’s Church, St Catharines, ON, May 2011

'The emerging field of cultural tourism got a real-time example of its power with the visit by Ensemble Polaris to Niagara…leaving the packed house awash in musical colours…The eight-member ensemble (sporting two-dozen instruments and Katherine Hill’s alluring voice) played, sang and narrated through a covey of tales describing the lives, loves and longings of gods and giants…The crowd was largely enthralled…An instantly engaging mix of nimble guitar, svelte brushes, lithe recorder and loose, easy-going clarinet set the storybook table for Odin. Violinist Kirk Elliott’s compositional/arranging acumen (right to the last throw-away harmonic) had toes a-tappin’ on both sides of the front pews…Ben Grossman’s arrangement of the Hedningarna Set allowed the room to appreciate his hurdy gurdy ability atop a steady drone deftly anchored by Margaret Gay—at one point it seemed Erik Satie might be smiling broadly from above. As traditions are lovingly passed down it’s little wonder that so many works of art have a familiarity that—like many of the instruments heard in this performance—goes back centuries. Three cheers to all concerned…'
James Wegg Review (http://www.jamesweggreview.org)

VIKINGS ON VACATION at the Barrie Colours of Music Festival, Barrie, ON, September 2010

‘… fresh and so distinctively unique, it is a delightful surprise…The audience was intrigued as the artists drew from a vast array of cultural instruments, including a hurdy gurdy, a willow flute and a nyckelharpa…If one is not familiar with Ensemble Polaris, it is a group well worth investigating.'

The Barrie Examiner

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On the CDs

‘In truth it's not how far afield we're taken by Uncharted Waters that reflects Ensemble Polaris' particular genius. It's how the group leads us to re-discover what we've loved all along — a heartbreaking melody, a snappy dance beat — in the guise of some unexpected form.’
Peter Goddard, The Toronto Star

Read the whole review here: http://www.toronto.com/article/714903--wide-ranging-toronto-group-and-new-york-pianist-impress-in-different-ways

‘While there’s nothing precious about their approach, Ensemble Polaris takes a holistic view…Ancient songs with extraordinary words, laments and dances, are all reworked here for modern ears. The arrangements are absolutely spot on…’
Classic CD (UK)

'This music is inventive. This music is full of passion. This music made me like the clarinet...'
Customer review, Amazon.com

“Hooked by the title [Vikings on Vacation], I took a quick listen to an excerpt and decided I wanted to review this release…Ensemble Polaris makes few nods to the Renaissance, and although it does play Scandinavian music, more often it does not…sometimes the arrangements make one country's tune sound like it originated someplace else. Take the first track, a Swedish nineteenth century bridal march? Stockholm meets Nashville just in time for the soundtrack of a Clint Eastwood spaghetti western. The group's sense of humor and fun in playing is equally evident in [an] arrangement of a tune from Fellini's 8 1/2…On four tracks Katherine Hill honors Scandinavian melancholy with a sinewy, unadorned voice that would be at home in the folk music of much of Europe and North America…”
Music & Vision, June 2010

'Listening to this wonderful music, I cannot help but think that J.R.R. Tolkien would have loved it... I hope that Ensemble Polaris makes more music, and soon'
A customer at Amazon.com

‘A most unusual band, Ensemble Polaris…has developed a stylistic approach combining interpretations of eclectic international songs with contemporary modality…A combination of recorder, clarinet, violin and accordion offer a breezy take on a bridal march (“Dalmarschen”)…Another fresh song is “Nanatsu”, which lends a jazz/fusion aura to the traditional instrumentation…The ensemble is jauntily precise as they cover “La Rumba” from the 1963 Fellini movie, 8½. A moody tango rhythm, with tempo accents, segues into an increasingly accelerated finish…“I Wish In Vain”, a beautiful melody, is shaped by the aesthetics of violin and Celtic harp (Kirk Elliott). Elliott, a ubiquitous multi-instrumentalist, contributes an original five-song suite, “Cod’s Anatomy,” that showcases the versatility of the group…Katherine Hill's lead vocals are featured on several tracks, but most effectively on the ancient ballad, “Visa Fran Venjan”. Ensemble Polaris is talented, and Vikings On Vacation is evidence of that.’
Audiophile Audition

‘...Incredible variety is all respects and a collection of sounds that is strongly rhythmic or gorgeously melodic - predominantly an early instrumental music sound, but with various influences of celtic, klezmer, middle eastern and blues!’

Customer review, Amazon.com