Search - Aaron Jay Kernis, Eiji Oue, Truls Mørk :: Aaron Jay Kernis - Colored Field · Musica Celestis · Air / Truls Mørk · Minnesota Orchestra · Eiji Oue

A Masterpiece

George John | Houston, TX United States | 04/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yesterday, I heard this work for the first time and was greatly moved by it. While I very rarely do this, I felt compelled to listen to it again today. I guess critical mass was achieved the second time, because on the second hearing I was totally and completely emotionally blown away by this work, as much if not more so than any work of music I have ever heard!It's my custom to not read the cover notes of a CD until after I have formed some initial impression of a work. Like the Rouse Symphony No. 2, which I recently commented on, it was clear that this work was dealing some very deep, and at times tragic, painful issues. There is also a section of exquisite beauty. Certainly, this work seemes to have been inspired by something that greatly moved the composer.The Rouse was in part an attempt to dealt with the death of a friend and colleague. The first movement of "Colored Field" is directly inspired by the memory of the systematic extermination of millions. Kernis visited Auschwitz and Birkenau in 1989. While there he saw "children chewing on a blades of grass", which led to the realization "that the ground from which they sprang [the grass] was once blood soaked: an outlandish combination of regenerative innocence and latent evil".I almost didn't buy this CD based on Daniel Felsenfeld's review on ClassicsToday.com. He refers to the music as "soupy" (he is entitled to his opinion of course, but I STRONGLY disagree with him on this point). Since the work had been previously written for English horn, he seems to question why even bother substituting the cello. I quote: "You have to wonder, though, what the point is of a release from a living composer that contains no new works" and "revamped solo cello part (read: double-stops!)". I wonder how closely Felsenfeld compared the two solo parts? The composer may disagree with Felsenfeld. I quote "the new version brings a different expression to the solo line". I listened to snips of the "English horn" version on Amazon and it sounds a *lot* different to me.Why Felsenfeld gave an 8 to the performance escapes me. Truls Mork's (the "o" should be slashed) cello playing is state-of-the-art. I even forgive him for his sometimes audible gasps for air (some cellists do this as part of their phrasing). Ironically, in this work it's possibly an effective addition. The Minnesota and Oue seem to be in total command of the music. I would think the fact Kernis is the "New Music Director" of the orchestra gives added authority to this performance.I give this a 10/9+ (performance/recording). In addition to an exceptional performance the sound is just fine, thank you. It's full, well-balanced, and in no way hinders the enjoyment of the piece.The work itself is a genuine masterpiece. This is yet another work that SHOULD be widely placed in symphony halls, but likely will not. Thankfully, it has earned a major award by becoming the winner of the 2002 University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition. The award also includes a $200,000 stipend. Hopefully, this will allow Kernis to focus on his next masterpiece, which I will greatly look forward to hearing it after it is released."

Heard on radio

Robert T. Cooper | Clyde, NC USA | 12/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tonight, on Public Radio, I heard this orchestra play Musica Celestis. It was like listening to Barber's Adagio, only more joyful. I rushed into the house to see whether there was a commercial recording available, and simply had to share my discovery with other Amazon customers. I intend to buy this CD, and use it whenever I need serenity."

Heard it live at its introduction

W. Olson | 08/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had to share with those lucky enough to have found this wonderful composition and composer. I'm biased to the MN Orch as its my hometown team; despite that bias, I believe this to be a composition difficult to describe in words -- beautiful and awesome are too bland. The narrative arc that carries you through the piece gives me hope that the 21st century will produce great works yet.



I had a chance to hear the debut of this piece when Kernis was Artist in Residence and the audience's reaction at the end of the piece was indicative of the wonder of this music. There was a slight, yet palpable, collective intake of breath, a pause,then the warmest, geniune outpouring of appreciation through applause and cheers.



I highly recommend this collection."