A selection of reviews of concerts and compact discs
Elul: Midnight - A Cantata of Penitence (1975)
". . .a work of great intensity and real beauty . . .I was struck by Sargon's dramatic sense and by his originality as a composer. . . . Part four is a simply gorgeous piece for chorus"
Dallas Times Herald, 9/28/81
". . . a moving and solidly built piece that deserves a place in the repertory"
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7/28/84
" . . . a remarkable work by a remarkable composer. . .it transcends sectarian limits and takes on a universal significance; it may be regarded as part of the 'gift of Judaism to the whole of mankind' "
Dallas Observer, 9/22/84
Shema (1988)
" . . a haunting work of dark beauty and tense atmosphere. It stayed in the mind long after the program was over"
Dallas Times Herald, l0/ll/88
" . . . At 50, Sargon's fame as a composer has been largely limited to the local scene. Shema is a work that deserves broad attention. If there is justice in the musical establishment, it will win him the larger audience he deserves"
Fort Worth Star Telegram, l0/l0/88
" . . a master of atmospheric music with a strong melodic impulse"
Dallas Morning News, 6/30/96
" . . . Generating the greatest impact was Simon Sargon's Shema, a gut-wrenching suite for soprano, flute, clarinet, cello and piano"
North Shore Magazine (MA), 6/14/90
Blue Mountain Ballads (1963)
". . .By far the most successful crossover work of the evening were Sargon's seductive Blue Mountain Ballads. Here was an ideal example of what creative use a serious man of music can make of jazz and blues idioms"
Dallas Morning News, 9/9/88
Symphony No. 1 - Holocaust (1985)
" . . .feelings, impressions and even theater in the best sense of the word are its major components . . . its lyricism is deeply felt, often very gripping"
Dallas Morning News, 3/30/91
" . . .a dramatic and effective work that used a broad orchestral palette - including a number of unusual instruments . . . some very attractive melodic material"
Dallas Times Herald, 4/1/91
Waves of the Sea (1990)
" . . .A supercharged score that was as graphic, caressing, charming and lilting as the poetry it enveloped and framed"
Dallas Morning News, 4/7/92
" . . .The other major work on the program was Sargon's emotionally far-flung, beautiful song cycle 'A Clear Midnight' . . .a splendid work"
San Antonio Express-News, 1/25/02
Huntsman, What Quarry? (1990)
" . . . especially handsome pieces. . .strongly crafted and immediate in their communication"
Dallas Morning News, 5/8/91
". . . beautifully made pieces that make graphic and imaginative use of this special combination of sounds. Mr. Sargon has a superb feeling for the voice, and what he writes is not only effective, but spins a mood and transports a listener"
Dallas Morning News, 6/7/92
" . . . using the unusual but not unprecedented combination of soprano, horn and piano, Sargon has created two haunting and memorable works"
Dallas Times Herald, 5/8/91
