Press reviews

“Vida sparkled with vitality and spontaneity, weaving a rich tapestry of colour and breathtaking range of dynamics and percussive effects that held the audience spellbound … the visual interplay between them enhancing an already superb performance. These are outstanding musicians, if you can, go hear them play.” Acoustic

“exquisite tonal and dynamic control, super-tight ensemble and unerring musical instinct. Thereʼs only one word for it: magic” Gramophone

”VIDA conjure up an orchestral palette of colour and effects … they play with technical brilliance and precise ensemble, creating alternately smoky and glittering colours in Fallaʼs El amor brujo that suit the gypsy heart of the music so well.” Classic FM

“Their range of timbres and colouration is so broad that one really does forget that there are four identical instruments. Their dynamic control, which ranges from an almost inaudible pianissimo to ranging fortissimos, is impressive.The Vida Guitar Quartetʼs ensemble throughout is exemplary and seemingly achieved with ease … their blending of tone is remarkably unified. The recording is well balanced and natural, with a warm tone quality and intimate clarity. This is a thoroughly enjoyable disc.” International Record Review

“The effects were mesmerizing and the audience held its collective breath. An ensemble with few peers . . . It was obvious they were having a wonderful time, as was their spell-bound audience.”    The Herald Tribune, Sarasota, FL

“VIDA Guitar Quartet proves a crossover Fab Four – By Richard Yates

The Beatles were not the only British foursome to make a splash in the U.S. on February 9th. Also hailing from England, the Vida Guitar Quartet played Sunday’s concert in Miami Shores 50 years to the day from when the Beatles were unveiled to the American public on The Ed Sullivan Show. While the quartet’s arrangements of gems by Gershwin and de Falla did not have exactly have the international celebrity of the “Fab Four,” the electrifying Vida Quartet gave them a run for their money . . . The capacity audience took every opportunity to praise the quartet—standing, shouting, and clapping with gusto . . .

Perhaps the most ambitious undertaking of the program was an arrangement of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue . . . [a] capricious, rhythmically driving rendition . . .  The all-guitar arrangement attempted a new framework for the vitality and creativity of Gershwin’s music.  . . .
Two movements were selected from de Falla’s ballet El Amor Brujo (Love, the Magician)— the very polished sounding “Pantomima” and the bewitching “Danza ritual del fuego” (Ritual Fire Dance).
Concluding were the klezmer-influenced Yiddish Dances . . . and a Carmen Suite, from the opera by Georges Bizet. This fiery hit parade of Bizet’s most well-loved themes was . . .  [a] lively escapade that leant itself to the Vida’s penchant for comedy.”  South Florida Classical Review