2.0 out of 5 stars
Tepid, December 13, 2011
This review is from: Rameau: Dardanus / Leppard, Opéra de Paris (Audio CD)
Yes--I am not surprised you are ambivalent about Rameau after this lukewarm and unmagical performance--By now I hope you have found pleasure through Christie--Gardener--Minkowski- who really know how to make Rameau shine--and who do NOT--as the otherwise admirable Leppard does here--reduce the tempo's to Handelian slowness. It IS lighter music--but for that has a savor of its own---Rameau is a master in his way as Handel in his.. Nice singing--but,again,too ponderous from the opening overture and throughout......
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
New to me., March 27, 2008
This review is from: Rameau: Dardanus / Leppard, Opéra de Paris (Audio CD)
I am not a musician, just a lifetime lover of and listener to all kinds of music, primarily classical. This is my first exposure to Rameau, and without a second or third hearing I am in limbo. Von Stade is a positive presence, singing a kind of music which she has not done much of before, and is lovely, as is the music. However, as a long time lover of Handel, one of my favorite composers, this seems like watery wine. Pleasant, but no kicks. The taste doesn't get deep in the mouth. I am not sure if this is Rameau, or the singers, with some well respected names among them, such as Van Dam, Soyer, Eda-Pierre. But none of them stood out for me, and, in fact, seemed disassociated. Voices didn't blend or contrast with interest. Some seemed dry and uninvolved. The music never raised an emotion in me, except an occasional bland pleasure. It could have faded into great background music, except for the nagging intrusion of some vaguely disquieting vocal sounds. However, I will give Rameau another chance, in a different opera.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
