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Review by JJ January 24, 2009 (4 of 5 found this review helpful)
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This is the first recording by the young harpist Lavinia Meijer. And what a recording! With a program devoted to the composers Carlos Salzedo (1885-1961), André Caplet (1878-1925) and Jacques Ibert (1890-1962), it includes quite a forgotten world the young musician revives, that is compositions for an instrument unfairly neglected. At age eight Lavinia Meijer first discovered the crystalline sounds of the harp and, as she notes: “At the time of my first lessons and all during my conservatory studies, one goal rapidly surfaced in me: promote the harp as a solo instrument, as much as possible and wherever I could, not only by performing known repertory but also by stimulating contemporary composers to compose new works for the harp.” After listening to the recital here, which includes “Trois Morceaux” by Salzedo dating from 1910-1911, “Divertissements” by André Caplet from 1924, and “Six Pièces” by Jacques Ibert dating from 1916-17, let us hope her wish is granted. Lavinia Meijer’s playing is utterly illuminated by grace, and for the first time in the début recording, the artist’s touch is embodied by breath, unheard colors and sublime notes. Each piece broached is an enchantment carried to its absolute. This unique impression is in large part due to the SACD’s pure DSD, for outside all artistic considerations, it is today the only technology that can offer such a sensation. An essential and world-class recording.
Jean-Jacques Millo
Translation Lawrence Schulman
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