Du temps & de l'instant [Import]

Martin Codax (Composer), Afghan Anonymous (Composer), Israeli Traditional (Composer), Jordi Savall (Composer), Ferran Savall (Composer), Arianna Savall (Composer), Sephardic Traditional (Composer), Greek Traditional (Composer), Moroccan Anonymous (Composer), Arianna / Estevan, Pedro Savall (Composer), Ferran / Savall, Jordi / Estevan, Pedro Savall (Composer), Jordi / Savall, Arianna / Savall, Ferran / Esteva Savall (Composer), Arianna / Savall, Ferran Savall (Composer), Marin Marais (Composer), Tarquinio Merula (Composer), Montserrat Figueras (Performer), Arianna Savall (Performer), Ferran Savall (Performer), Jordi Savall (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Montserrat Figueras, Arianna Savall, Ferran Savall, Jordi Savall
• Composer: Martin Codax, Afghan Anonymous, Israeli Traditional, Jordi Savall, Ferran Savall, et al.
• Audio CD (September 13, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Alia Vox Spain
• ASIN: B0009JOMDI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #233,303 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Savall family extravaganza, January 26, 2006

By 

M. Tietjen "tietj" (Syracuse, NY, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Du temps & de l'instant (Audio CD)

Jordi Savall and Montserrat Figueras are the two giants in the Catalan early music scene. On this album they enlist the help of percussionist Pedro Estevan and their two children to produce some truly exceptional music. Jordi Savall, the most famous family member, almost fades into the background, although he is obviously the rock that anchors the album. His playing is superb, and it seems as though it was most likely him who chose the excellent repertoire. Figueras, like wine, is only improving with age. Also like wine, however, she's a bit of an acquired taste; I am a huge fan of straight tone singing and even I took a while to get used to her bizarre, raw sound. It's worth it, however, as she is one of the most intriguing singers of this era.

Daughter Arianna is a world-class artist in her own right. Like her father, she is multi-talented; she sings, plays the harp, and composes (her contribution to this album, "La Salve," is beautiful and affecting, but some of the selections on her own solo album "Bella Terra" are far superior). Like her mother, her voice is haunting and beautiful, more polished than the elder woman but slightly less interesting. She sounds particularly lovely in the background of the first track. Ferran Savall also lends his voice to the album, although his singing is far less classical sounding, which may be a plus to some listeners. "Noumi, Noumi, Yaladatii," which Figueras has previously recorded as a solo, includes a vocalise from Ferran astonishing in its power, although his one solo on this album, "La Canco Del Lladre," is the least impressive track, as his voice can be irritating after a while and the song itself is repetitive and overlong.

The instrumental tracks are universally excellent. Jordi Savall is one of the world's best viola da gamba players and this album proves that he is still at the top of his game. Arianna's virtuosic harp solo is one of the album's highlights; her playing is less restrained and more visceral than most harpists. Pedro Estevan seems to have very little to do, but a little goes a long way with this music.

I sincerely hope that this will not be the last album to feature the Savall-Figueras family together. These five musicians have produced an album of surreal beauty, not to be missed.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From time to time, January 26, 2010

By 

Jeffrey Lopez-Stuit (Tukwila, WA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Du temps & de l'instant (Audio CD)

I think that the title of this recording translates to something like "from time to time", which is a perfect name. If you're looking for a recording of early music that this family is known for performing, this is not the one to choose. The performances fuse music from so many different time periods, and so many different regions of the world, that it's hard to describe, except that it's extremely beautiful. The musicianship and sound quality are second to none - it's an incredible sonic experience from beginning to end.

0 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars not to standard, January 4, 2010

By 

Edward Dunbar "macabru" (Gascony) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Du temps & de l'instant (Audio CD)

this is so far below the standard they have set .. it is really not worthy of the attention of anyone who loves early music. move on!