7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thrilling Performances, Gorgeous Sound, November 30, 2002
This review is from: Varèse: Arcana; Intégrales; Déserts (Audio CD)
I bought this CD just to get 'Deserts' in its full form, but after listening to whole thing, I decided to dump my Boulez version of the other works on this disc, because the performances of 'Arcana', 'Integrales' etc., are superior in every way. The clarity, wit, drive and spaciousness are as good as can be. So buy this, and use the money you would have spent on Boulez or Chailly to check out other challenging music.
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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"new music" from 75 years ago, September 30, 2001
This review is from: Varèse: Arcana; Intégrales; Déserts (Audio CD)
this is my first introduction to varese, so i can't compare it against the many other recordings available. but i like
what i hear- it's amazing that most of these pieces were composed over 75 years ago.
from the loopy but compelling "offrandes" (settings of surrealest poetry) to the orchestral-industrial riot of
"deserts", this stuff isn't easy listening but has an odd internal logic of horns, precussion and angry strings.
someone commented parts of deserts sounds like a videogame of some sort. i think the inclusion of the tape sounds was a wonderfully brave move and makes the whole piece work; i can't even imagine it without the tapes sounds now.
bravo again to naxos for making such interesting music more popular, and please issue a volume 2 with the rest of this amazing composer's small output.
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