Search - Krzysztof Penderecki, Juha Kuivanen, Tapiola Chamber Choir :: Penderecki: Stabat Mater - Complete Sacred Works for Chorus and a cappella

Powerful

Michael W. Taylor | Roswell, Georgia, United States | 12/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is a good thing that this album presents its music in chronological order. It is also a good thing that Penderecki essentially became less modern as his musical career has advanced. For without these two factors, the immediate and almost frightening impact of this album would not be possible.This album opens with Stabat Mater which was a choir work written as a movement within Penderecki's "St Luke's Passion", completed in 1962. It is a very modern work that utilizes numerous vocal and musical techniques (cannons, counterpoint, droning, tone clusters, chanting, whispering) and is laced with great passion throughout. Combining the quality of the piece, the quality of the performance (it is difficult to truly understand how incredibly difficult these works are), and the quality of the recording can almost assure anyone of a near transcendent experience into the profound passion that Penderecki has for his faith.Every track on this album is solid in performance, recording quality, and of course in composition.For an honest and profound glimpse into the possibilities of the choral medium within the 20th century, be sure to check out this album and all of its richness."

If you're brave enough to listen to truly modern music...

J. Jackson | Charlottesville, VA United States | 10/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...then give this one a listen. To be honest, I don't own this collection, but I have several of these pieces on vinyl. As my friend, Loce the Wizard, pointed out after hearing the Magnificat at my house, "This is how religious music should sound." Be prepared for atmospheric music similar to some of the abstract scenes without dialogue in "2001: A Space Odyssey" (which, if I'm not mistaken, used music by Penderecki, along with Ligeti and others). If you think 20th century music is the tripe written by John Williams for "Star Wars", then don't bother."

Superb singing, annoying accent in places

Lars Cronsioe | Sweden | 01/02/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This well-known Finnish chamber choir really know what to do with this material in order to create the multi-layered, mystical atmosphere suggested by Penderecki's score with occasional outbursts of dramatic expressivity. A very well-balanced choir with wonderful choral voices.



Sadly, in some places, their Finnish accent breaks through in a way that suggests someone should have paid some extra attention to pronounciation before recording (Stabat matEEEEr).



In all other ways, though, this record is very well worth owning. A great perfomance."