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www.grey-panthers.it (i dischi del mese, april 2014)
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Goeyevaerts String Trio, Zsuzsi Tóth (soprano), Barnabás Hegyi (contro-tenore), Olivier Berten
(tenore) – Challenge Classic (53’02)
l capolavoro di Arvo Pärt in una nuova, intensamente drammatica, interpretazione del Trio d’archi
Goeyevaerts associato a tre solisti vocali che esaltano, con il rigore e la purezza delle loro voci,
l’aura mistica ed il già fortissimo potere emozionale dell’opera, una delle più ambiziose del
compositore estoniano. Non si deve ascoltare questo Stabat Mater – lacerante illustrazione
musicale del dolore della Vergine ai piedi della Croce – come una sacra rappresentazione: è
piuttosto un’icona, astratta dalla storia ch’essa raffigura, per divenire simbolo di un dolore
universale, sulla stessa linea, formale e spirituale, di Passio – la Passione secondo San Giovanni –
composta da Pärt 3 anni prima.
Altra affascinante evocazione musicale di un icona religiosa è Simeron dell’inglese Ivan Moody,
anche lui – come Pärt – convertito (e non soltanto culturalmente ed esteticamente: avendo
seguito gli studi di teologia in Finlandia, Moody è oggi membro del Patriarcato Ecumenico di
Costantinopoli) alle verità di un’ortodossia che impregna la sua composizione, tutta tesa alle
rivelazione di una mistica
come l’aureola in un’icona». «Dilettatevi sopratutto della musica - scrive Philippe Grisar nel suo
nteressantissimo commento (purtroppo soltanto in inglese, francese e tedesco) che accompagna il
cd – lasciatevi portare dall’emozione. Toccate con prudenza il dolore, calmatevi con un sospiro
silenzioso e lasciatevi consolare dalle parole che avrete trovato nel vostro silenzio».
ascoltate Pärt e Moody e guardate un’intervista (in inglese) con gli interpreti e degli estratti
delle sedute di registrazione.
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audaud.com Audiphile Audition
PÄRT: Stabat Mater; IVAN MOODY: Simeron – Goeyvaerts String Trio: Kristien Roels (violin)/
Kris Matthynssens (viola)/ Pieter Stas (cello)/ Zsuzsi Tóth (sop.)/ Barnabás Hegyi
(countertenor)/ Olivier Berten (tenor) – Challenge Classics
PÄRT: Stabat Mater; IVAN MOODY: Simeron – Goeyvaerts String Trio: Kristien Roels (violin)/
Kris Matthynssens (viola)/ Pieter Stas (cello)/ Zsuzsi Tóth (sop.)/ Barnabás Hegyi
(countertenor)/ Olivier Berten (tenor) – Challenge Classics CD CC72616, 53:04 [Distr. by
Allegro] (6/10/14) ****:
This is a unique CD that comes to us via a Kickstarter Campaign from Challenge Classics, a
company in the Netherlands that often releases works that are unlikely to get recorded and are
often outside the musical mainstream.
The recording features the Pärt Stabat Mater complemented by the specially-composed piece
from Ivan Moody, Simeron. The Goeyvaerts String Trio collaborates with the best vocalists of Vox
Luminis.
Using the technique of so-called “just intonation” in both works, the trio creates sounds which lay
on each other. This particular way of playing is designed to resonate with one’s feelings. Pure
intonation is an early form of tuning. Intervals are distributed unevenly but purely across the
octave. Just intonation is said to sound calmer, and even a bit more sorrowful, to the
contemporary ear.
Both Pärt and Moody turned to Orthodox Christianity at some point in their lives, and this music is
deeply introspective and emotional.
The Goeyvaerts String Trio is an extraordinary Belgian ensemble known for their trademark
perfectionism in every detail and highly-acclaimed performances. That’s certainly what I hear in
this recording. The Pärt and the Moody are quite complimentary in their sound and emotional
content and are excellent partners for this recording.
The recording of this small ensemble is exemplary. It would have been well-served with a higher
resolution SACD but the CD sound is thrilling. I listened in normal stereo, and then tried in
pseudo-multichannel using Dolby Pro-Logic on my pre-amp and the sound opened up
considerably. This is also an exceptional experience on headphones.
With more and more companies cutting back on their classical projects, it is very encouraging to
see Challenge Classics get public funding for this important CD.
This is a wonderful performance and recording. Listeners who connect with the somberness and
spirituality of Pärt will feel right at home. Highly recommended!
—Mel Martin
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quadrevisie.nl
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cdhotlist.com (August 2014)
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International Record Review, september 2014
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Mania Magazine, May 2014
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Gramophone, August 2014
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Luister, July/August 2014
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Pizzicato, June 2014
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Berückender Klagegesang
20/06/2014
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Arvo Pärt: Stabat Mater; Ivan Moody: Simeron; Goeyvaerts String Trio, Zsuzsi Tóth,
Sopran, Barnabás Hegyi, Countertenor, Olivier Berten, Tenor; 1 CD Challenge
Classics CC 72616; 2013 (53'01) – Rezension von Remy Franck
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Mit Zurückhaltung und Schlichtheit reagiert der estnische Komponist Arvo Pärt auf eine
Welt, in der für ihn vieles zu schnell geht, in der vieles zu sehr in Bewegung ist, in der
ruhiges Betrachten und Hören immer schwieriger werden. Das ‘Goeyvaerts String Trio’
und die drei Vokalsolisten dieser per Crowdfunding finanzierten CD geben dem Hörer die
Möglichkeit, in dem halbstündigen ‘Stabat Mater’ aus dem Jahre 1985 Ruhe zu finden
und sich von der rastlosen Umwelt zu befreien.
Pärt benutzt das mittelalterliche Gedicht, um den Schmerz Marias über die Kreuzigung in
einem meditativ langsam fließenden Cantus zu besingen, der das Leid in Verhaltenheit
sublimiert, aber auch zu eindringlichen Anrufungen führt, mit dazu kontrastierenden,
manchmal ganz lebhaften Einlagen des Instrumentaltrios. Das Besondere an dieser
Interpretation ist, dass das Trio nicht die konventionelle ‘Gleichschwebende Stimmung’
benutzt, sondern die sogenannte ‘Reine Stimmung’ (der Unterschied wird im Textheft
eingehend erklärt). Das Resultat ist gegenüber der von uns zum Vergleich
herangezogenen, von Paul Hillier dirigierten Einspielung bei Harmonia Mundi,
frappierend. Die Musik erreicht einen Grad an Schönheit, die den sanften Schmerz des
‘Stabat Mater’ in berückender Weise sublimiert.
Ivan Moody ist ein britischer Komponist und orthodoxer Geistlicher schreibt eine Musik,
die der von Arvo Pärt sehr nahe kommt, ohne aber deren Grad an Vergeistigung zu
erreichen. Moody bleibt da schon irdischer, ‘Simeron’ (‘Heute’) behandelt die Abnahme
Jesu vom Kreuz und die Bestattung in einer ehrfürchtigen Kontemplation. Das
‘Goeyvaerts String Trio’ und die drei Solisten schaffen auch hier eine bewegende
Atmosphäre der Reinheit, die der Hörer auf sich einwirken lassen kann.
Two works about mourning Jesus Christ after crucifixion, beautifully played and sung. The
atmosphere of the performances is sublime and moving.