| Niemann and Tilles play like one person with four very powerful hands and the recording is as crystalline as Messiaen's religious vision: * * * *
--Oakland Tribune
I. Amen of the Creation
Amen, so be it! "God said, 'Let there be light!' And there was light!" (Genesis)
II. Amen of the Stars, of the Ringed Planet
A savage and brutal dance. The stars, suns, and Saturn the planet with its multicolored ring, rotate violently. "God called them, and they said, 'Amen here we are!'" (Baruch).
III. Amen of the Agony of Jesus
Jesus suffers and weeps. "My father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt." (St. Matthew)
IV. Amen of Desire
There are two themes of desire. The first, slow, ecstatic and yearning with deep tenderness: already the peaceful perfume of Paradise. The second is extermely passionate; here the soul is torn by terrible love that appears carnal (see the "Song of Songs"), but there is nothing carnal about it, only a paroxysm of the thirst of Love.
V. Amen of the Angels, Saints and Birdsong
Song of the purity of the saints: Amen. The exultant calling of the birds: Amen. "The angels fall prostrate before the throne: Amen." (Revelation)
VI. Amen of the Judgement
Three notes frozen like the bell of evidence. In verity, I say to you, Amen. "Accused, get thee hence!" (St. Matthew)
VII. Amen of the Consummation
Consummaton, Paradise. The life of the bodies in glory, in a carillon of light, "the shining light that shineth more and more." (Prophets)
They capture the work's colour and atmosphere powerfully and evocatively -- it is Messiaen at his most compelling.
--Penguin Guide to CDs |
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