Customer Reviews

Caris Mere

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For those of you who don't know the composer: although he composes in his own, unique style, he is somewhat comparable to Arvo Pärt, in his use of minimalistic instrumentation, and his use of silence as an important aspect of music. All three pieces on this album proove Kancheli to be one of todays more intruiging comosers, as well as his ability to create beauty, something often forgotten in modern classical music. The third piece features Jan Garabarek, playing the soprano saxophone. He delivers a quality job - as usual - and helps in making this album all the more worthwile

The music of Giya Kancheli is not for easy or casual listening. No, that does not mean that it is harsh or dissonant; rather, it means that Kancheli's music is intense, even in its quietest, most consonant moments. It is music that demands--then rewards¬--close listening.

Caris Mere is something of a followup to the ECM New Series CD Abii Ne Viderem. The first piece on this CD, Midday Prayers, is an expressive piece for chamber orchestra, marked by dynamic contrasts. This is followed by the quiet title cut, Caris Mere, which features a haunting soprano voice captured in a resonant setting, reminiscent of sonority and style of Kancheli's Exil CD. The final selection, Night Prayers, is a haunting piece for chamber orchestra, compelling in its evocation of night. No, the music of Kancheli is not for everyone, but to those who have heard Kancheli and have some appreciation for his unique music, I recommend Caris Mere without reservation.

kancheli, a native of georgia (the former soviet union country georgia, not the southern united state), achieved his musical maturity in the height of cold war era politics. as his music, both older and newer, creeps westward and becomes more widely known, i think that it gives very valuable cultural insight to us as listeners as to a part of the world which we only received a very limited scope of information about for quite some time.

kancheli's work is stark and desolate, yet sometimes dense; beautiful and placid, yet sometimes jagged - all of Caris Mere is a contradition in the shape of linear and harmonic writing, combining intense complexity with tranquil simplicity. this recording is quite a listening to behold - beautiful, pure, raw, unadulterated, and very unique.