Review of Fiat Lux, Herald HAVPCD 310 First of all, this disc is an exceptionally fine example of sensible and effective program building. Many more live concerts structured like Clive's recorded program would surely increase the public's enthusiasm for organ recitals. He opens with the Dubois Fiat Lux (Let there be Light), a slight but engaging work that I had never heard previously. Slight, as I said, but most thoroughly engaging. The audience is now warmed up (and, I trust, latecomers have been seated). Thus the audience is already smiling as he goes on to the Dupré Variations on a Noël with its Gallic wit. Not only are Clive's registrations consistently appropriate, his tempi are always just right. When I learned the Variations back in grad school, I couldn't believe the metronome markings in my printing of the work. I went to the University Library, listened to Dupré's own recording, and found that on that recording compared to my copy, even he didn't play some of the variations that fast! Clive takes a convincing tempo every time, and his performance simply dazzles. Having displayed his virtuosity with the Dupré Clive moves to the highly amusing Valse mignonne by, of all people, Karg-Elert. It's the Algonquin Hotel all over again, and he somehow makes the Rieger tracker sound like a theatre organ! I've heard the Rieger countless times during my stays in Oxford, and I can't fathom how Clive does it, but he makes it work. Now the audience has ears warmed up, in diverse ways, so he launches into the Hindemith Sonata 2. It's not, I confess, a work that I much enjoy, but Clive plays it more than convincingly. He slips in the elegant Scherzo of Duruflé then turns to a fine version of the Mozart Fantasia K.608, which he plays with more vigor than I have often, if ever, heard. Another "break" is the lovely Alain Intermezzo, and then Clive turns to his longest work on his program, the Reger Chorale Fantasia on "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme". Symphony orchestras end their programs with a long major work - organists need not always end with a French toccata. (Of course, the French-toccata-ending can work well, but Clive shows how well a big program can end with a really important piece). In closing, Clive has technique to burn, but that technique is always employed in the service of his sensitive interpretive artistry. If it's possible to wear out a compact disc, I'm in danger of wearing out this one! This disc is one of the "finds" of the year. Review by Victor Hill, Ph.D. (Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians) October 2006 Review of Fiat Lux, Herald HAVPCD 310 The title comes from the first piece on the CD, the well-known warhorse by Theore Dubois. What a performance and what a title - let there be light! Driskill-Smith is an exciting player with a formidable technique and a sensitivity of interpretation to match. He begins the piece quietly, gradually building up to a wonderfully thrilling climax. There is much more to come, and while most of the music is well known, I would urge organ music lovers to buy this disc as the performances are so refreshing. From Dubois we move to Dupré with his Variations sur un Noël. Again, the technique is brilliant, the interpretation faultless. What a surprise comes next! Karg-Elert had a fascination for the cinema organ, and his Valse mignonne explores the style. Driskill-Smith performs to perfection - switching idioms effortlessly. The Rieger organ sounds remarkably good too! Reginald Dixon would have been proud of organ and organist here! In stark contrast (literally) we then have Hindemith's second Sonata for organ followed by the racy Scherzo opus 2 by Duruflé, Mozart's F minor Fantasia is given a fine performance, with Alain's Intermezzo as a fitting entr'acte before Reger's massive Chorale Fantasia on "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme". This is a first class recording by one of our most gifted younger organists. I hope for more soon. Very highly recommended. Review by Dr David Baker (The Organ), April 2006 Review of Priory CD809 The Organs of Eton College On this disc Clive Driskill-Smith takes the listener on a musical tour of the organs of his old school, visiting the Dutch Organ in School Hall (originally built for St Mary's English Episcopal Church, Rotterdam in 1773); the French-inspired three manual organ by Kenneth Tickell built in 2000 for Lower Chapel; the beautifully toned Snetzler organ in College Chapel and the mighty four-manual Hill organ, also in College Chapel. The booklet includes colour pictures of and informative notes on each of the instruments. The carefully chosen programme splendidly illustrates the beauties of each organ, with repertoire and instruments appropriately matched. The Dutch Organ's pedal Fagot, for instance, is gloriously honky in Buxtehude's Toccata in F. I especially enjoyed the witty and rather tricky Scherzo by Lionel Steuart Fotheringham (a sometime Eton Music Scholar), played on the Tickell organ; while the imperial tone of the Hill organ is the perfect medium for the last three items on the disc. All in all, Clive Driskill-Smith proves himself to be a master performer in a range of musical styles. His playing is immaculate and Priory's recording quality is crystal clear. Review by Christopher Maxim (Organists' Review) May 2005 Review of Priory CD809 The Organs of Eton College Again from Priory, Hill's work appears on a new disc recorded by the young British organist Clive Driskill-Smith. 'The Organs of Eton College' celebrates the instruments in the care of Driskill-Smith's former school. There is lots of variety in the programme, from Pepusch on a small Snetzler, to yet more Buxtehude on the eighteenth-century Dutch organ in the school hall. The really interesting items, though, are actually by old Etonians: Lionel Steuart Fothringham's Scherzo has some unusual touches - played on the Tickell organ in the Lower Chapel - and Francis Grier's Flourish and Reverie is engagingly delivered on the Hill in the College Chapel. Of the recent organ discs whose primary function is to illustrate the instruments rather than the repertoire, this is definitely one of the more entertaining (Priory PRCD809, 1 hour 16 minutes). Review by Warwick Cole (International Record Review) January 2005 Review of Priory CD809 The Organs of Eton College Clive Driskill-Smith was more fortunate than most organists in having no fewer than four instruments at his disposal during his schooldays at Eton College! His return to his Alma Mater for Priory is a great success. A well-balanced disc nicely contrasts such disparate composers as Roger-Ducasse, Parry and Buxtehude. Since few of the general public get to hear these instruments in the flesh, this timely release fills a niche. The recorded sound is excellent. Review by Malcolm Riley (Gramophone) October 2004