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| Osvaldo Golijov: Ayre | 
 enlarge | Artists: Osvaldo Golijov, Dawn Upshaw, Luciano Berio, Folk Songs
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Category: Music
List Price: $16.98
Buy New: $9.98
You Save: $7.00 (41%)
Buy New/Used from $8.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  (14 reviews)
Sales Rank: 34625
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.3 x 4.9 x 0.5
MPN: 000478202
UPC: 028947754145
EAN: 0028947754145
ASIN: B000ASDG9E
Release Date: September 27, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Review of 'Ayre' March 6, 2006
2 out of 29 found this review helpful
Some of the selections were interesting. One or two, very interesting but overall, so-so. Upshaw is wasted on this one.
Occasionally 'atmospheric'.
 A marketing triumph February 26, 2006
60 out of 84 found this review helpful
Witness the awesome power of marketing! Golijov is hailed as all but the 21st century Mozart; even the venerable Gramophone Magazine has joined the chorus of praise: "intoxicating", "endlessly haunting", unforgettably beautiful". So before you've thought twice you'll have bought this disc, and what do you end up with? I'll put it briefly: a facile hotchpotch of improvisatory, crowd-pleasing cross-over, with the staying power of any glittering soap bubble. Ayre is entertaining enough, no doubt about that. It is expertly played and seductively sung, quirky enough to give the superficial impression of modernity, but without ever truly challenging the listener on any level, or offering anything essentially new. The problem is that Golijov presents us with a series of elaborations on Klezmer, Arabic and Mediterranean folk music for which far more enticing alternatives are available from artists closer to the original sources. Try Rabih Abou-Khalil for truly unforgettable adaptations of Arabic music, for instance. And though Golijov's multinational cocktail does not include Scandinavia, those who like Ayre are bound to be blown away by the songs of Sami artist Mari Boine, that in my view operate on rather deeper levels of profundity. And for exotic vocal effects, check out Toby Twining.
Ayre is no match either for the cycle of Berio Folksongs that inspired it - the Berio work is far more coherent and simply has more substance as a work of art. Upshaw's version of it is undeniably committed, but does not erase memories of the phenomenal reading by Jard van Nes and musicians from the Concertgebouw Orkest (Decca). While Upshaw tends to sentimentalize the slow songs, and adapts a deliberately rough-edged, folksy voice for the others, Van Nes staunchly approaches the cycle from the classical tradition, which results in a reading of hieratic power and intense beauty. Next to her ecstatic 'Azerbedijan LOvesong' Upshaw sounds positively soporific. Which in my view leaves little reason to invest in this disc.
 IF THERE'S SUCH A THING AS "POLITICALLY CORRECT" MUSIC, THIS IS IT.... February 19, 2006
12 out of 61 found this review helpful
Golijov's music incorporates Jewish, Arabic, Christian, Afro-Brazilian, and other ethnic influences ad nauseum...
So what?
Listening to this disc is like having dental work done without novocaine.
Only DIVERSITY NAZIS who want to smugly bask in their own "enlightened" weltanschauung will find much to enjoy here.
Golijov cunningly caters to these folks' taste. May he ride it all the way to the bank.
 Give it a try! February 18, 2006
8 out of 13 found this review helpful
Someone said that people who say "I know what I like" actually mean "I like what I know". This disc is a tremendous ear opener and brings to our attention the golden era of Al Andalus in 14th century Spain when great philosophers and musicians of three cultures, christian, jewish and muslim lived and worked in relative harmony. Let's face it, the price of the disc is negligible for a cultural experience of this kind. I'm delighted to have it.
Stunning February 14, 2006
5 out of 10 found this review helpful
The brilliance of Dawn Upshaw animates this very exciting disc in unexpected ways. I don't believe I have ever heard a trained Western singer address East Mediterranean scales and rhythyms, yet one who attacks the music with such wonderful self assurance. Osvaldo Golijov has given her an extraordinary score, and the Andalusian Dogs -- with their strange instrumentation == offer support equal to the tasks Golijov sets for them. Bravo!
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