Search - Jean-Michel Damase, Claude Debussy, Gabriel Faure :: Flute & Harp

5 Stars? Listen to this recording and you will see a Nebula!

doovie@aol.com | Northampton, MA USA | 04/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Introduction and variations for flute and harp", by Rossini is a brief marvel in this incomparable crown for Rampal and Laskine. What it lack in length, it more than compensates by demonstrating how flawless a complex duet can be. Throughout the album, Rampal and Lakine perform at their peak, yet never grandstand. Their duet quality is seamless, regardless of the composer or complexity of the piece. When listening to this again for reviewing, I was awestruck, by the balanced mixing. No one instrument is given precedence, resulting in a most realistic album experience. I could only rate this a mere 5 Stars, but you will see a Nebula when reaching the jewel which ends this crown. Finishing with seventeen minutes of Debussy's "Sonata for flute, harp and viola", positively mesmerises. The performances are truly flawless in every piece, moreover, this recording is the difference between "performing" and the creatiion of art through sound."