Search - Maurice Ravel, Erik Satie, Claude Debussy :: French Music for Harp and Strings

Superb collection and performances

Cincin | San Francisco, CA USA | 03/30/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I vehemently disagree with the negative review entitled "flawed recording and shakey accompaniment." This is one of my favorite CDs, both because of the excellent selections and superb performances, especially by the harpist. In particular, the performance of "La fille aux cheveux de lin" exhibits a rare sensitivity. I own other recordings containing many of these selections, and I find the performances here to be the best. The arrangements of the original piano pieces are also well done. I recommend this CD without reservation."

A Musical Marvel

Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue* | CA USA | 06/29/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I invite music lovers who have genuine appreciation for French classical music to lend an ear to this album, "French Music for Harp And Strings," and enrich your listening experience. I can guarantee that after giving it a listen, your journey to the world of classical music will never be the same again. Your musical sensibilities will be deepened as you delight in the heavenly sounds of harp and strings, which is a rare combination but very beautiful. You will marvel at a repertoire of impressive masterpieces from Claude Debussy, Erik Satie, Maurice Ravel, Jacques Ibert and Gabriel Pierné as played by a fine harpist Ellen Sejersted Bodtker with the Vertavo String Quartet made up of skilled musicians: Berit Cardas and Oyvor Volle (violins), Henninge Landaas (viola) and Bjorg Vaerne (cello). The Vertavo String Quartet is one of the most outstanding string quartets in Europe. On tracks ten and eleven, Sjur Bjaerke plays double bass.



Let your ears capture the eternal charms of one of Debussy's beguiling masterpieces, "Reverie," which is one of my top ten classical favorites. After listening once, you will definitely want to listen over and over again because the combination of harp and violin produces such a captivating sound that makes you want to listen forever. The same is true with Satie's "Gymnopedie No. 1" for solo harp, Ravel's "Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte" for harp and cello, Debussy's "La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin" and "Arabesque No. 1," which are both arranged for solo harp.



This heavenly music is a marvel. Wholeheartedly recommended!



* * * * *TEN STARS* * * * *"