Air

Claude Debussy (Composer), Toru Takemitsu (Composer), Bridget-Michaele Reischl (Conductor), Oberlin 21 (Orchestra), Yolanda Kondonassis (Performer), Joshua Smith (Performer), Cynthia Phelps (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Yolanda Kondonassis, Joshua Smith, Cynthia Phelps
• Orchestra: Oberlin 21
• Conductor: Bridget-Michaele Reischl
• Composer: Claude Debussy, Toru Takemitsu
• Audio CD (October 28, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B001FWRYV0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #174,738 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #33 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Concertos > Concertinos
  • #74 in Music > Classical > Chamber Music > Trios

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This is the latest CD featuring Yolanda Kondonassis, probably the world's most famous and recorded harpist. She is joined by Joshua Smith on flutes and Cynthia Phelps on viola, along with the chamber orchestra, Oberlin 21. All play like virtuosi. Most of Kondonassis' other albums are more "popular," i.e: gentle music, vaguely new age; a CD of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons transcribed for harp; Christmas Music, etc., but this one, presenting music by Takemitsu and Debussy, is firmly in the serious-chamber-music world. Both composers are "Impressionists," and here they are taken with the coloristic facets of water, air and wind; all of the music on this CD is somehow involved with just such moods. Ms Kondonassis' range of dynamics and shading make this music come to life. Joshua Smith's flute playing is varied, accurate and flavorful and Cynthia Phelps' viola adds warmth. Debussy's Danses sacrée et profane for harp and strings are just that – dances, with good, decorative tunes. In Takemitsu's Air for solo flute, there's no sound save for that of the flute and the air required to play it – it is pure Asian-Western sound, with no "program." The two composers complement each other; where Takemitsu can be somewhat ascetic, Debussy takes off lyrically, but they both aim towards similar ends and get there. The recording is warm and intimate. -- Robert Levine

Product Description

No Description Available.
Genre: Classical Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 28-OCT-2008

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful and Evocative Music, October 19, 2009

By 

T. Stevens (Montgomery, AL,United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Air (MP3 Download)

I really cannot recommend this wonderful album enough. The music promotes contemplation, introspection while it rejuvenates. Kondonassis is at center stage to be certain, but this download features an ensemble cast and in a sense the flute, viola, as well as the Oberlin string section are each featured prominently on various tracts. One of the delights of this album is the direct comparison it offers between the music of Debussy and Takemitsu, as well as an introduction to some of the more intimate compositions of each. This is music that can be savored and enjoyed for years to come, and the performances are absolute perfection.