Customer Reviews

Nicola Benedetti plays Vaughan Williams & Tavener

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

 

 

These works couple very interesting works by Tavener with the ever popular "Lark Asending" by Vaughan Williams. These pieces are perfectly matched and the coupling was a great idea. The violinist is wonderful and has great expression. She is an amazing talent and I hope to hear more from her. Don't be afraid to get this CD if Tavener is not familiar to you. His music is very accessible. I just wish this CD (as an import currently) was not so expensive.

This version of The Lark Ascending reminds me of the 1972 version by Iona Brown and Nevllle Mariner. It's a little longer and the violin flourishes have are slightly more held back making it seem a little more intense. The brass can also be heard more clearly giving it a bigger feel. If you are looking for a new version you could not go wrong with this one. The sound quality is also superb.
The Tavener pieces are as always mystically inclined. The new pieces Lalishri is fairly accessible and I think there are traces of a Mahler violin ( his 5th symphony?) piece in it. The new pieces are very sensual and Indian flavored and definitely have a simple intensity even in the faster sections. I've not always been a fan of John Tavener, but this is really good. If you haven't heard Song for Athene (an old one) it's a must have.

Ralph Vaughan Williams
The Lark Ascending
John Tavener
Song For Athene
Dhyana
Lalishri - Introduction
Lalishri Cycle 1
Lalishri Cycle 2
Lalishri Cycle 3
Lalishri Cycle 4
Nicola Benedetti
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Andrew Litton
Recorded: 2007

I was interested in the relationship between Benedetti and Tavener, when I heard 'Fragment for the Virgin' that was written especially for Benedetti recorded in her debut albumSzymanowski Vln Cnto. Then I found a great recording of Benedetti with Andrew Litton, the conductor, and London Philharmonic, to recognize the beauty of John Tavener. The invitation of Benedetti to non-European music makes me feel, that she is pure. 'Dhyana', 'Lalishri' also written for Benedetti and 'Song For Athene', they are played by solo violin and strings of beautiful London Philharmonic.

The best reason to buy this is "The Lark Ascending," which is worth the whole CD's price. Overall, it's not the definitively lush "Lark" performance: Lay and pro reviewers still seem to prefer the 1972 Neville Marriner/Iona Brown collaboration, or either recording conducted by Adrian Boult. All of which are great.

But Benedetti plays her part with such keenly channeled passion that, if you love this gorgeous modal piece, you'll want to add her interpretation to your library. Also, this is a crisp new recording, with 21st-century technology.

I wasn't familiar with Tavener, and this CD didn't convert me. Although I like some composers to whom he's compared (Arvo Part, some minimalists), his pieces here were just too spare and New Agey to engage me. I still like the fact that two of them were written for this young violinist.