Customer Reviews

Flamma Flamma: Fire Requiem

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Perhaps difficult at first approach, Lens' Flamma Flamma Requiem juxtaposes a wide array of contemporary, traditional and classical sounds in this work. Cleverly, Lens relies on a contemporary text, in Latin, to ground his musical exploration in the long-held linguistic tradition of the Requiem mass while parting from the proper of the mass to explore a contemporary vision of the Requiem theme. The result is amazing. Vocal solos dialog with the earthy sound of "les voix Bulgares," and the third movement might be the only time you will ever find yourself dancing to a Requiem! Lens' Fire Requiem is a must.

I never could have guessed at what I was buying (it just happened to be on sale and I took a chance) and could not have been more pleasantly surprised after my second listen (the first time I just didn't know what to think). This is so different than anything I have ever heard before and I've listened to all kinds of music. 'Flamma, Flamma' puts to work a sextet of operatic singers, 3 other undefinable singers (that represent the three fates), a chorus (usually men) and a variety of synthetic effects. The range of mood is wide, from morose to almost celebratory. The incredible thing about this work is how it takes seemingly incompatable elments (for example - opera singers and techno industrial conventions) and makes them work. I would be sincerely surprised if sections of this work did not make your pulse quicken. There is plenty of room for both the beautiful and the bizarre in this work. I'm a masters somewhat leaning toward the avantgarde composition student and I loved it, my mother is a hardcore traditionalist and she loved it. I can't wait to hear a follow up to this from Mr. Lens.

Wow! While this piece can initially be beyond comprehension, with a second look it proves beautiful and mystifying. I first heard a few movements of Flamma Flamma during a performance of Agamemnon and, though I found the music disturbing, it has haunted me ever since. The bass and soprano are sublime. I highly recommend giving this recording a first and then a second look.

This is very compelling, dynamic music, & so idiosyncratic. Definitely unique, & moves in a very modern & brilliant way, especially with the interesting ways it makes use of different vocal lines...

When I first heard track 9 of this CD at WaterFire Providence, my soul stirred as if it was that of a child again. This is the first piece of music I have heard that can push the reset button on my emotions. The first 30 seconds of the first few tracks does not do justice to the emotional and spiritual journey this composition has brought to every person I've played this for. The only way I can describe this piece without letting you hear it is Spiritual Fusion. Nicholas has written a seamless blend of Eastern and Western, Contemporary and Classical, Catholic and Pagan etc... The voices of the 6 classical soloists are full and impressive, the voices of the Bulgarian women are raw and cutting, and the instrumentation lends credance to all of it as a perfectly natural meeting. If I was able to keep one CD out of my entire collection there would be no thought involved.... this is the music of the gods and a must have.

if you're into Orff style things, this one is the culmination.
enjoy. I certainly did.

If you've enjoyed Carl Orff, this is his legitimate successor.
Nicholas Lens is perfectionism not over but cross professionalism.
This is one of the few CDs these days that you ought to pay
money for. It is really worth every cent.

I believe this recording is very good. Still $999.99 for a used copy seems quite expensive. Or $1,002.48 with shipping - as I just found out. Don't you think?

When I first heard this piece, it reminded me of the soprano solo from "The Fifth Element." This CD spans quite a range of music, from beautiful laments for lost loved ones to almost annoying choruses harping about the darker side of death. Unlike most requiems, which are straight laments, this one is more of a commentary on death. This one gets better with each listen. I particularly recommend the second-to-last track, Agnus Purus -- what an incredible choral movement and key change at the end. I could easily see this as the foundation for a movie soundtrack, or a new TV drama.

This is the first time I have ever felt moved to write an on-line review of anything! I first heard a cut from this CD in Avignon, France two years ago at a modern dance recital. I was totally, utterly enchanted by it (Deliciae Meae). Luckily, I knew enough French to ask for the composer's name. This Christmas I finally got Flamma Flamma and I love every cut. It's passionate and beautiful and like all sublime music, it transcends my limited verbal ability to describe it.