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Vladimir Godar: Mater
from: Ecm Records
List Price: $17.98Our Price: $14.99 You Save: $2.99 (17%)Prices subject to change.
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0028947656890
Label: Ecm Records
Manufacturer: Ecm Records
MPN: 000850602
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Ecm Records
Release Date: April 10, 2007
Studio: Ecm Records
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Editorial Review:
Vladimir Godar, born in Bratislava in 1956, writes beautiful music. He is best known for his film scores in his own country, but these seven pieces, collectively called Mater, scored for female voice, chorus and Baroque string orchestra, should gain him fame on the same scale as a "classical" composer. There are hints of Arvo Pärt's devotional minimalism here, with Gorecki and Monteverdi not far behind, but the decidedly Slavic tinge to the music makes it unique. Working with the archtypes of "mother" and "woman," sometimes specifically the Virgin Mary, more often not, these are reflections on life, death and resurrection, sometimes in the textual forms of the well-known "Magnificat," "Stabat Mater" and "Regina coeli," but adding to them a Yiddish song, a poem by James Joyce, and a pair of Slovak lullabies. There are repeated melodies and instrumental motifs, and the music has great character; it is immensely moving. The Czech singer Iva Bittova is neither an opera nor pop singer; her singing is "cultivated folk." Her voice has intense colors: it can be warm as well as edgy, it throbs but can be occasionally as cool and vibrato-free as a Celtic storyteller. One can report on what goes on musically here--the way the strings stab dissonantly at times, the way long melodies keep showing up, the way the chorus interjects and takes over in one selection--but the emotional impact is more important and can't be described. Suffice it to say that Godar never lapses into sentimentality or bathos, but he does touch the soul. A ravishing, important CD. --Robert Levine
Vladimir Godar's Mater is a moving cantata comprised of seven compositions for female voice, mixed choir and Baroque string orchestra playing on historic instruments. The work is a meditation on the circle of human life united under the archetypes of "woman" and "mother": protecting, consoling, mourning, but also as objects of praise and adoration. The texts come from Slovak lullabies, sacred Christian texts, Yiddish songs and a poem by James Joyce. The music is highly atmospheric and melodic, and fans of Arvo Part, Henryk Gorecki, John Tavener and early music will be drawn to this music.The unifying element of Mater is one of the most remarkable figures in contemporary vocal art: Iva Bittova. Often compared to Laurie Anderson or Meredith Monk, Bittova's voice is mostly warm and tender but also displays a wide array of expressive shades. The Philadelphia Inquirer writes that Bittova "seems to operate from some musical ground zero - one that also puts you in touch with the most elemental purpose of music, and why you first came to love it."
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Pleasant musical exploration of old sources
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 ... Read More
Rating:  - Mater
If you were brought up Catholic, and you like music a little off the beaten path like Gregorian chant, you'll enjoy this album. Probably the best piece is Regina Coeli, powerfully sung by Iva Bittova in Latin. A simple melody, it repeats, yet changes it's harmony, with variations on it's musical theme. Towards the end, Iva's voice explodes in an Alleluia that will take your breath away.
Several of the other songs are in Slovak; and are more moody and sonorous. The composer, Vladimir Godar, ... Read More
Rating: - oh my...
Beautiful. Contemplative, lovely music. Aside from the staccato violins on track 2 (Magnificat), this is a sublime, ethereal listen.
Rating: - Must Buy Music
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!!
Rating: - Destined to become the new Gorecki 3
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 ... Read More
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