Customer Reviews

Charpentier - In Nativitatem Domini Canticum · Messe de Minuit / Les Arts Florissants · Christie

5 star:		(3)
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This is a terrific CD. The music is glorious and the performance is perfect. I wouldn't trade this CD for anything. I'm a big fan of Handel's Messiah and Bach's sacred choral works. These works by Charpentier -- in particular, the "Messe de Minuit" -- are right up there with those works, in my humble estimation. The more I listen to the CD -- and I have listened to it at least 20 times since I bought it last month -- the more I enjoy it. I'm particularly impressed by the performance. The recorders and other woodwinds sound great, and the choir is superb. I highly recommend this CD!

I'm very appreviated that William Christie and les arts florissants they gave me a another beauiful experience and let me enjoy Charpentier's music. I must thanks Christie's contribution to the French baroque music, the more is for Charpentier. For a long time, we enjoyed the oratorio music is by Handel's. And we understand Handel's oratoria in fact was shown and transformed in the anorther face of his opera. Today we seldom had a chance to listen the music of classic italy oratoria, that successed to Carissimi tradition. Of course, Charpentier learned with Carissimi but also be influenced by Lully's Louis period music, but that's why he had his own individual character, a perfect harmony chorus. It will smoothen human spirit easily.
In sum, we could find a perfect combination of italy and french baroque in Charpentier's music. Listen this and I believe you would be hsi fans.

Well, at the time of writing this review the CD is not available, so I can't say anything about the recording. If its anything like the other wonderful Les Arts performances you won't be disappointed. Last night I went a Les Arts concert when they performed these great pieces. It was by far the best performance that I have been to. It was beautiful and touching and my only regret is that I didn't share the expirience with more family and friends than I did. This is wonderful music, and a great introduction to the French baroque. You must buy this record, it will change the way you listen to music. What a wonderful Advent expirience!