Customer Reviews

Kancheli: Lament / Kremer

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

 

 

I bought this CD almost at random; I had read a review of it that praised the work and I found the cover striking. I never expected it to be the greatest CD I would buy this year. Like other reviewers I find the work beautifully haunting and gorgeous even at those moments when the orchestra seems to be asked to play as loudly as they can. And the singing is breathtaking: as powerful as any of the song you hear in the works of Mahler. I cannot recommend this recording enough. Do not be scared off by the unfamiliarity of the composer. This is music that is beautiful and completely accessible to all.

I am listening to Kancheli's _Lament_ even as I write . . . Powerful, irresistible, almost brutal at times in the intensity of its grief . . . Runs the entire gamut of sorrow: Quiet weeping; inconsolable sobbing; madness and rage.

Like _Exil_ and _Abii Ne Viderem_, this is MUST listening. There is a depth here, an understanding that transcends a sizable portion of what passes for music today . . . A fitting requiem for Modernity, methinks.

The two who criticized the composition to be distasteful because of the loud flourishes which occur in the music, are some of the most stupidest things I have ever heard. This piece is very deep and I would hold Kancheli to be one of the best composers EVER. I am reminded of Arvo Part and Sofia Gubaidalina, all create new sounds with orchestration and effects on instruments, yet retain a lot purity to the music as well. The music is very solemn and beautiful, and deftly executed by Kremer.

This is a PERFECT work, like no other.

For me, the volume changes make it unlistenable. It feels to me like a very easy idea, to have a violin play such long tones & then suddenly have tons of loud noise burst from the orchestra & then have the quiet long tones again. I have to turn up the volume so high to hear that violin, & then the sudden very loud noise is way too loud. I guess this is music to listen to if you don't want to be able to focus on anything else maybe.

Though the disc lists a playing time of 42 minutes, it is actually longer. You just can't hear it.

well, the playing here is first rate... as are some parts of the composition... but, i have to agree with a previous reviewer that a lot of this could be done away with - the loud brass is just a waste - who needs it? yes, a bit like mahler, i.e. a bit like the worst, most over-rated composer ever - some good bits put between a bunch of crap - like peanut butter and jelly?