Search - Marjan Mozetich, Mario Bernardi, CBC Vancouver Orchestra :: Affairs of the Heart: Music of Marjan Mozetich

Mahler meets Glass--and so much more

Bill Engel | Nashville, TN United States | 05/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After hearing Passion of Angels on public radio, I ordered this cd and have lived with it over the last six months, a mainstay in my travels. New things keep revealing themselves to me in the tonalities which intially I classified simply as contemporary versions of High Romanticism. Some of the repetitions, too, I lumped at first in with post-modern Baroque minimalism. But these classifications, while handy, and while they may explain some of the residual styles informing the pieces on display here, do not do justice to the whole. Mozetich has accomplished something new from the remains of the tradition--and it is a legacy worth preserving. I have liked this cd so much I have given it as a gift. Mozetich has left us a gift indeed."

Schmaltz that works

Czinczar | Southeast Michigan, USA | 03/23/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"You have to give Mozetich credit for writing such anabashedly Romantic works as he entered the 21st century. The album's liner notes detail his struggle to pursue this path. Decades ago, professional critics and musicologists would have railed against these regressive works. Now, I think they've just thrown up their hands and joined the classical public in luxuriating in the saccharine nature of these works. The "Postcards" and "Passion" have received lots of airplay on Canada's CBC2 radio network. That's how I heard them. Initially, I regarded them as pleasant, contemplative ear candy. But then, something happened. A sweet young woman I knew died suddenly. At once, the "Postcards" and "Passion" took on a whole new meaning for me. I realized that they reflected her nature perfectly. Those works were a great consolation to me through my mourning period. Even Mozetich's shameless use of the main theme from Tchaikovsky's "Pathetique" symphony in the "Passion" works. The "Affairs" concerto flirts dangerously with the sterile, mechanical style of John Adams in its orchestral accompaniment, but Mozetich's lush Romantic harmonies and melodies still manage to triumph. Like me, you may think you've become too jaded and post-modern to enjoy such sugary music. But let down your guard for a few minutes and come with me to wallow in this near sublime Romanticism. I did it; you can too."

This may be the best CD in my 500+ classical collection

Gerry L Goffinet | Franklin, TN United States | 02/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'd like to meet Marjan Mozetich. I bought this CD for "The Passion of Angles" that I heard on PBS a few months ago. But before I could get to my "passion", which was the 5th cut, I started at the begining........to my wonderous ears appeared "Affairs of the Heart" that I have grown to love with as much or possibly even more passion. Now understand that I am a classical freak. Example, I currently have 21 CD's of just 3 works. I love anything from Beethoven on to Rachmaninov, not much outside this, although I am always looking for the next "classical" contemporary composer. By "classical" I mean if it doesn't have a melody, count me out. It has to have a melody. Mozetich is my man. These two pieces are understated works of art. They have beautiful, simply stated melodies....they are not over orchestrated, and the combination of harp and violin in these concertos is just plain breathtaking. ...Unhesitatingly, and without conditions, this is one of the best composed, played and recorded pieces that has come down the pike since Rachmaninov's piano concertos. It would have been interesting if Marjan would have put a second movement in the middle of these two pieces and called the whole work something like "The Affairs of the Angles". Bravo Mr. Mozetich...I would like to meet you. Maybe you can get Ken Schermerhorn and the Nashville Symphony to play these works.GG"