French songs luminously performed
OK, quibble all you want with Dawn Upshaw's French pronunciations...I'm told the French find American accents "sexy." Upshaw and Kalish bring remarkable interpretive skill to these performances. The Debussy "Chansons de Bilitis," set poems by one of the composer's best friends to music of exquisite, almost erotic playfulness. Similarly, Faure's "Chanson d'Eve" is a remarkably beautiful late work of serene detachment. I'm not a big fan of Messian's music, but Upshaw and Kalish certainly make the most of these difficult and "ecstatic" songs. All told, with the delicious Golijov song tossed in, a lush treat.

Lay me etherized upon the table........
The otherworldly presentation by Dawn Upshaw and Gilbert Kalish of songs by the under appreciated spiritualist composer Olivier Messiaen in the company of other composers of luminosity songs such as Claude Debussy, Gabriel Faure and the contemporary Osvaldo Golijov is one of the most unique and successful recordings to appear in a long time. Upshaw remains a clear voiced soprano who cares deeply about exploring repertoire to challenge her large audience: her recitals are never retreads of standard warhorses.

This recording is simply from another place that seduces us into a level of transcendental meditation. Not only do Upshaw and Kalish weave their expected magic with the Debussy and Faure cycles ('Chansons de Bilitis' and 'La Chanson d'Eve'), but they also evoke all of the special mysteries for voice and piano that Messiaen wrote so well. The moments of music seem to taper off into the ether of another world. And the single Olijov 'Lua descolorida' is so stunning that it leaves us wanting more.

A beautiful collection of songs, superbly performed, and beautifully recorded. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, December 2004

Another challenging, engaging triumph
I can't really speak to the technical side of this album.
But it is gorgeous. Yes, rather challenging material. But I think she really shows the 'link' between a 'conservative' composer like Faure and Debussy & Messaien. & the addition of the Golijov also shows his indebtedness to the French school (it's a beautiful piece in it's own right too IMO). Gilbert Kalish adds really inciteful accompaniment. If you
like her album of Debussy's FORGOTTEN SONGS, you'll love this I think. But even fans of any of her others will
like it too. One of the most thoughtful performers today-- she really has an interesting discography, & for me this is
a definite highlight.