Customer Reviews

Xenakis: Electronic Music, Vol. 1 - La Legende d'Eer

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mode has released a wonderful DVD you shouldn't miss if you are interested on Xenakis' music or in electronic music in general terms.

La legende d'Eer is one of Xenakis' best works for tape, done for 7 channel tapes and created for a space placed in Paris that doesn't exist today and that was designed by Iannis Xenakis himself. The building was made based on mathematical theories, like the music, and it can be watched on this DVD in many photos that shows how it was, how it was built and the performances of the work realize inside, a kind of spectacle with music, architecture and lights. Watching all these, together with some phrases Mode has chosen, make the listening of La legende d'Eer a new and fascinating experience.

It's highly recommended this new remastering by Mode, much more better than the release on CD launched by Montaigne, that has not image, of course.

The interview of Iannis Xenakis and the musicologist Harry Halbreich is another GREAT reason for having this DVD, as it is a document very important and unique about Xenakis thinking about music.

A marvellous DVD.

Like Mode Record's Kraanerg DVD this one also adds superfluous visuals to outstanding music of great beauty and power. If it were a CD with just this music I would have given it 5 points without hesitation.

There is also an interview with the man himself on the disk, which sounds interesting but disappoints. Xenakis talks to what is apparently a group of students and their professor. The recording was obviously done by an amateur with a cheap hand-held camcorder. The professor starts asking questions, trying to show the students how clever he is. Xenakis doesn't answer the questions but talks about other things like a confused old man. He struggles to remember names. Often he asks "what was the question?" Then the professor repeats the question and Xenakis continues talking about something else. It is sad. In the end the students are allowed to ask questions too. Their questions are more practical and down to earth and - Xenakis answers them! He seems to be much more comfortable in that part of the interview. But still, there is nothing really revealing in what he says.

Anyway, if you are a Xenakis fan, buy the disk and enjoy another recording of this unique and powerful piece of music. Although the interview is mainly a sad affair it is worthwhile whatching it once: You'll find some unintended humour in it if you listen carefully. In some bright moments Xenakis realises it and laughs about himself.

I'm surprised that the reviews of the DVD miss the main point of the presentation. Because of the multi channel presentation of this music in the original space in which it was heard, this DVD multi channel recording is much more true to Xenakis' conception of how the piece should sound. As far as I'm concerned, the only improvement possible would have been a DVD audio layer. As it is this DVD offers a DTS multi channel mix which sounds very good and an uncompressed stereo mix. Either of these options is a considerable improvement over the CD. Buy this for the multi channel mix and if you don't like the visuals, don't watch them!