Search - Vladimir Godar, Iva Bittova, Milos Valent :: Vladimir Godar: Mater

Destined to become the new Gorecki 3

S. Lieu | LA, CA | 05/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you enjoy the works of Arvo Part, Gorecki or John Tavener, then read no further and simply add this amazing album to your cart. I heard it on the radio and the announcer seemed to know that many people would be calling in for details of this album so he gave all the information needed to purchase it. I ordered my copy immediately. The singer may not have the most gorgeous voice; hers is more suited for pop music or singing folk songs, but the passion in her voice will astonish you. Every track of this album has a meditative, mesmerizing quality, reminiscent of Gorecki's 3rd. However, it is not as minimalist. One track brings to mind Baroque music. Having little knowledge of Godar's work, I was pleasantly surprised by the striking lyricism of his music. If you are searching for modern music with atonal dissonance, then this is probably not something you'd probably enjoy. It's not actually a crossover album either. I would simply place this album in a category all by itself. I don't think there is anything like it out there. The first aspect that will strike you is the simplicity of Bittova's voice. She has an unusual child-like timbre, somewhat smoky. Every track features her singing the compositions with the utmost commitment. The composer/singer collaboration is very evident. This is one of those albums that is immediately accessible and you will listen to it many times. The cover of the CD contains a quote from Rob Cowan, BBC Radio 3, "It's as if Janacek, Gorecki and Monteverdi have settled on a universal language. A wonderful listen." WONDERFUL indeed and quite sublime..."

Must Buy Music

V. Jennings | Baltimore, MD | 08/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is so beautiful & relaxing. Anyone who can appreciate fine music, will surely appreciate the sometimes haunting but always beautiful melodies in this album.



I heard this on my local NPR affiliate & had to buy it.



ROCK ON!!"

Pleasant musical exploration of old sources

Alan A. Elsner | Washington DC | 07/28/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's refreshing to see contemporary composers return to writing music with themes and making a conscious effort to search for beauty. If 20th century-music reflected the political and cultural disintegration of European society and its surrender to nihilistic forces of fascism, Nazism and communism, then one can read this composition by a Slovakian composer as a return to serenity and cultural well-being, a positive development.

The composer speaks in the liner notes of performing musical archaeology, delving into the past to come up with new insights. For much of this CD, he succeeds. There are moments of great beauty. The first song in Yiddish I found particularly striking. Soprano Iva Bittova has a voice of rare purity.

Where I feel it still falls a little short is in a certain blandness -- a lack of bite. The Hallelujahs all sound a touch formulaic after a while, not inhabited by the same fervor and religious desperation that inspired the Baroque musicians whose work is being imitated. It's a little too sweet and occasionally borders on the edge of cute. We are tourists with Godar as our guide, visiting an ancient cathedral. He points out the various features and we wonder what it might have been like to worship there.

Still, this is very much worth listening to and I did enjoy it."