Although it is true for all music, the music of Olivier Messiaen in particular, for all its complexity and originality, is at its very best when the performer and listener can connect to it emotionally in some way. His Visions de l'Amen, as performed by Ursula Oppens and Jerome Lowenthal here, is not as engaging as it could be for the listener. Both Oppens and Lowenthal are technically superb, separately and as an ensemble. Their unison passages are spot-on together, and overall their playing is precise and intent. It's ...
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Although it is true for all music, the music of Olivier Messiaen in particular, for all its complexity and originality, is at its very best when the performer and listener can connect to it emotionally in some way. His Visions de l'Amen, as performed by Ursula Oppens and Jerome Lowenthal here, is not as engaging as it could be for the listener. Both Oppens and Lowenthal are technically superb, separately and as an ensemble. Their unison passages are spot-on together, and overall their playing is precise and intent. It's just that what comes with that precision is a sense of calculation, that the music isn't quite as spontaneously inspiring to them -- and consequently, to the listener -- as Messiaen usually is. A lot of this has to do with the recording's sound, which puts some distance between the listener and the pianos. It is clear and balanced between the two instruments and between the different registers of the pianos, but it isn't as immediately felt and, therefore, less engaging than it could...
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Fair. Ex-Library rental. Disc(s) are professionally cleaned and may contain only light scratches that do not effect functionality. Includes disc(s), case, booklet, and back artwork. Disc(s), case, booklet, and back artwork may contain library/security stickers and ink writing. Case and artwork may show some wear. Case may not be an original jewel case. All disc(s) are authentic.
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