‘(One exception) was a piece by Tom Randle - familiar as a singer, less so as a composer. "A Telephone Call" adapted a Dorothy Parker monologue generically related to Cocteau’s La voix humaine...full of late-romantic-with-a-twist harmonies and realised with great assurance, variety and a genuine music-theatre sensibility.'
Robert Thicknesse, OPERA NOW Magazine
‘Nowhere was this more apparent than when he introduced the premiere of "From Dreams and Turning", his own setting of five poems by A.E. Housman, commissioned by Celebrating English Song with support from the Housman Society. This Los Angeles-born young man admitted his temerity in bringing such coals to Housmanland, but he needn't have worried.
These are passionate, virile compositions, the vocal line riding over colourful piano tapestries which add extra elements to the soundworld, before, in four of the songs, ending with a questioning numbness from voice alone. Great waves of applause greeted the conclusion, and Randle appeared genuinely moved at his music's reception.’
Chris Morely, BIRMINGHAM POST
‘His music is richly lyrical and complex - He writes melodically and sympathetically for the voice (not surprising in a singer), yet does not write explicit big tunes.
As a singer with major opera houses for the last 30 years, Randle knows the major (and not so major) repertoire from the inside, and so this seems to be reflected in the very craftsmanlike (in the best possible way) that the opera was constructed.’
Robert Hugill, PLANET HUGILL - A World of Classical Music