Complete Webern Edition: Reviews of previous releases
WEBERN: Passacaglia op.1, Six Pieces op. 6 - Boulez / BPO (447 099-2; Repertoire of CD 1):
- "[...] fascinating content and a stimulating variety of musical discourse. Go for it."
Stereo Review, New York, July 1996
- "[...] on retrouve le Boulez infinitésimal mais incendiaire que nous aimons, surtout dans une Passacaglia de référence, d'un déchirement hyperexpressif très post-mahlérien, avec le mélange détonant d'une violence très crue [...] et d'une indicible poésie, d'ébriété féerique et de contours au burin, dans un climat lyrique qui ménage aussi bien le pointillisme de l'instant et la lame de fond globale."
Répertoire, Paris, January 1996
WEBERN: Symphonie op.21, Das Augenlicht op.26, Cantatas...(447 765-2; Repertoire of CD 2):
- "Powerful advocacy by Boulez of these lovely, unloved masterworks."
Classic CD, London, March 1997
- "Essentielles car inspirées par Hildegard Jone [...], les deux cantates et la pièce pour chœur qui complètent ce programme synthétique prennent sous la baguette fervente de Boulez une indiscutable valeur de référence discographique."
Diapason, Paris, March 1997
WEBERN: Piano Quintet, Five Pieces for Orchestra, Quartet op. 22, Concerto op. 24, Lieder...EIC/Boulez/BBC Singers/F. Pollet/Chr. Oelze (437 786-2; Repertoire of CD 3):
- "The instrumental and choral works are very beautifully played and sung indeed, and anyone grappling with these pieces for the first time (or returning for another attempt) could hardly choose better."
Gramophone, London, March 1995
- "A magnificent introduction to the century's most powerful miniaturist, tracing his astonishing journey from Late Romanticism to Olympian distillation."
New York Observer
WEBERN: Drei Gedichte, Acht frühe Lieder, Fünf Lieder...(447 103-2; Repertoire of CD 4):
- "Webern's songs are quiet and mostly brief [...] They are intimate, ethereal, more concerned with distilling subtle emotional states than with telling stories or painting pictures. Christiane Oelze's voice and musicianship are well suited to them. Her voice is not large, but by careful control of dynamics she can easily encompass those infrequent moments where a big phrase or an ample gesture is required. The sound is pure and bright, and her sense of line is as admirable as her intonation."
Gramophone, London, April 1996
- "Christiane Oelze [...] erweist sich auf dieser Platte als einfühlsame und detailbewusste Liedinterpretin. Eric Schneider bietet darüber hinaus am Flügel weit mehr als 'nur' gute Begleitung: Sein ungemein expressives, nuancenreiches Spiel trägt wesentlich zur faszinierenden Atmosphäre dieses exzeptionellen Albums bei. Eine echte Entdeckung!"
Musik & Theater, Zurich, March 1996
WEBERN: Works for String Quartet- Emerson String Quartet (445 828-2;Repertoire of CD 5):
- "One of the most compelling Webern recordings of recent years: Excellent recorded sound, helpful notes by Paul Griffiths, and generous measure place this CD at the head of the modest line-up of Webern Quartet recordings - a fine achievement."
Classic CD, London, May 1995
- "This admirable performance sets the seal on a most distinguished enterprise."
Gramophone, London, May 1995
|