Kernis: Symphony In Waves/Musica Celestis

Aaron Jay Kernis (Composer), Gerard Schwarz (Conductor), Lark Quartet (Performer), New York Chamber Symphony of The 92nd Street Y (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Lark Quartet
• Orchestra: New York Chamber Symphony of The 92nd Street Y
• Conductor: Gerard Schwarz
• Composer: Aaron Jay Kernis
• Audio CD (October 13, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B000004CVU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #399,413 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kernis' two masterpieces beautifully performed, February 2, 2001

By 

Elizabeth Crowell "Elizabeth" (Caen, France) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Kernis: Symphony In Waves/Musica Celestis (Audio CD)

First and foremost, the performers must be given due credit for playing these extremely challenging works with such brilliance and virtuosity! This music is simply enthralling: while the minimalistic style and novel orchestration fascinate the listener, the lyrical melodies are instantly endearing. Kernis is a first-rate genius. Upon careful listening, you will discover quotes from popular music hidden in both the string quartet and Symphony in Waves.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant, July 3, 2005

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A. Nogal "oboist" (Lemont, IL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Kernis: Symphony In Waves/Musica Celestis (Audio CD)

This is one of the most wonderful recordings I own -- unfortunately it's out of print, so do yourself a favor if it's showing up for an affordable used price here on Amazon. The music here is inherently listenable; this is something to admire in an era of squeaking, squawking classical music that is meant to "challenge" more than it's ever meant to "delight." This doesn't mean that Kernis' music is trite or simplistic. There is real beauty here, with sweeping gorgeous melodies in both works. As for "Symphony in Waves," its cleverness is its claim to whatever fame it has, but the truth is that it's bursting with creative vibrancy and energy. It's an early work by Kernis, and only a sign of amazing things to come.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Masterful use of the Orchestra, January 2, 2000

By A Customer

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This review is from: Kernis: Symphony In Waves/Musica Celestis (Audio CD)

The Symphony in Waves is one of the most sensuously orchestrated works of the last two decades, reminding one of early John Adams, although the musical language is different. Rautavaara with an American sound is the way I'd describe it. I have listened to this CD 5 times and even given it to friends. This is not music to Break New Grounds, but manages to have a distinctive personal sound, something to admire in an era of sound-alike composers.