Olivier Messiaen [Box set]

Olivier Messiaen (Composer), Pierre Boulez (Conductor), Ensemble Intercontemporain (Orchestra), Schonberg Ensemble (Orchestra), Yvonne Loriod (Performer), Reinbert de Leeuw (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Yvonne Loriod, Reinbert de Leeuw
• Orchestra: Ensemble Intercontemporain, Schonberg Ensemble
• Conductor: Pierre Boulez
• Composer: Olivier Messiaen
• Audio CD (May 27, 2008)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 6
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Naive
• ASIN: B0014GIZCY
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #182,456 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The New York Times, Vivien Schweitzer, August 2008

Reinbert de Leeuw and the Schoenberg Ensemble evoke the striking canyon panoramas with energy and finesse. Marja Bon, a pianist, makes impressive contributions, as does Hans Dullaert in a haunting horn solo.

MusicWeb-International, Dominy Clements, June 2008

Throughout his life Messiaen maintained a strong devotion to Catholicism, and the Visions de L'Amen for two pianos is a strong representation of his visionary response to this faith. I have the good fortune to have discovered the wonderful 1970 recording with John Ogdon and Brenda Lucas, but have to admit to being highly impressed by this spectacular performance by Reinbert de Leeuw and Maarten Bon... These are performances of masculine power in, for instance, the Amen of the Stars, and poetic magic in the Amen of desire, and, short of an out-of tune string in the upper register of the left piano which pops out briefly somewhere near the beginning of Amen of the Stars there are no real technical problems at all. This is one of those pieces which, once you have become hooked, will have you looking at all the other desirable versions around. If there were no others available, I would however be perfectly happy with this recording. The Vredenburg acoustic is suitably vast without being churchily resonant, and both players are genuinely in tune with the spirit of the work.

As a set, this has to be considered a real bargain - especially when you consider it is priced at around six discs for the price of two. None of the performances will disappoint. Many have an historical, almost legendary feel to them - the Transfiguration in particular, which is worth the price of the box on its own, but also the 80th Birthday concert which has its own unique value despite all the blemishes. You can also find these pieces flawlessly directed by Boulez in a nice safe DG studio. The Visions de l'Amen may not be an absolute first choice, but has very many convincing qualities and is a fine recording and performance in its own right. The Canyons too has rivals, but such knowledge is unlikely to disturb you unless you have comparisons to hand, and I would suggest there won't be many which will have the beating of the recording from this set. Fans of Messiaen need not hesitate to join Naïve Montaigne in celebrating some of the finest performances of one of the best composers the 20th century had to offer. To those who are exploring and wish to discover his work from a single, budget-priced source - I envy you, enjoy!

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational Tribute, June 13, 2008

By 

Dean R. Brierly (Studio City, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Olivier Messiaen (Audio CD)

In honor of the 100th year of Olivier Messiaen's birth comes this six-disc set of some of his most groundbreaking and beautiful music. The protean composer was one of the 20th century's major visionaries as well as one of its most accessible artists, a claim few other musicians can make. While his output is immense, this box set functions both as a wonderful entry point for those unfamiliar with his work, and a welcome addition to the most ardent Messian fan's collection. An added bonus is the presence of two of the most gifted interpreters of his music: the virtuoso pianist Yvonne Loriod (Messiaen's widow), and legendary conductor/composer Pierre Boulez. The first two discs are devoted to Messiaen's "The Transfiguration of Christ," a monumental work that expresses his deep religious faith through an astonishing musical palette of brilliant orchestral colors and sensuous choral passages. The composer's trademark birdsong effects and exotic percussion are also much in evidence. The performance by Loriod, the Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Brussels BRTN choir is perhaps the best version I've heard. Disc three features "Visions de L'Amen," a much knottier, more angular work, scored for two pianos, that makes effective use of repetition and harsh dynamics, yet not without sparks of iridescent lyricism. Disc four is a real treat: a 1988 concert staged in honor of Messiaen's 80th birthday, with Pierre Boulez conducting a small orchestra and Loriod playing piano on several of the composer's seminal works. "Sept Haiku" and "Couleurs de la Cite Celeste" are sublime meditations full of movement, tension and mystery. "Un Vitrail et des Oiseaux" and "Oiseaux Exotiques" evoke to the fullest Messiaen's ability to transpose actual birdsong transcriptions into ravishing musical equivalents. The final two discs present another massive orchestral work, "Des Canyons aux Etoiles." Inspired by the geography and birds of Utah's Bryce Canyon, it's a long and episodic journey full of Messiaen's unique sound colors and textures, infused with a profound spiritual beauty that can be equally enjoyed from a religious or secular perspective. All of these works share an idiosyncratic approach to melody, rhythm and harmony, and sound like no other music ever written. Messiaen passed away in 1992, but musicians and music lovers alike are still coming to grips with his complex and glorious legacy.