Mason Bates: Works For Orchestra – Michael Tilson Thomas

   in Classical Music (May, 2016)
A composer new to this reviewer, Bates (b1977) clearly possesses a keen ear, adventurous mind and sly sense of humour. Each suite of short sound pictures beguiles the listener, the orchestra deployed like an organic synthesiser, augmented by otherworldly electronic effects and samples. If John Adams and perhaps Paul Schoenfield are strong influences, Bates is very much his own man and this superbly-recorded disc will make him many new friends. …