| Turbulent Heart - Review Excerpts |
 Gramophone (UK) (December 2009) "This was a complete surprise to me and left me fairly stunned. Who knew that Louis Vierne, thought of (by me, at any rate) as an elegant rather than sensationalist composer, could deliver such high drama as features here? Guillaume Tourniaire, his Queensland forces and Steve Davislim—and not least fabulous sound from Melba Records—turn this into a sonic blockbuster in every way." 'Editor's Choice' "... this could well be the discovery of 2009, featuring thrilling performances of orchestral songs that churn and boil with drama and emotion ... Inspired performances all round, then, in textbook perfect sound and lavish packaging, Turbulent Heart boasts three fast-rising young names to look out for in the years ahead: Davislim, Tourniaire and the enterprising Australian label, Melba Recordings." *Le Diamant d'Opéra** (Special Commendation) "This is a revelation and one of the highlights of the start of 2010... One cannot overstate the ideal understanding of this music—coming after Hélène and Nuit persane on the same label—that the young French conductor Guillaume Tourniaire shows here. His expressiveness never lets up and he heads a magnificent orchestra that is cohesive and replete with individual colours... there can be only one imperative—Discover!" "The tenor Steve Davislim lends his luminous voice, his perfect diction and welcome dramatic sense to these works in an approach heightened by the inspired conducting of Guillaume Tourniaire. The latter is a miraculous accompanist, supporting the voice with ideal precision. In short, this is an indispensable disc of French vocal music presented in a faultless SACD recording." "Davislim sings with power, nobility and heart-rending emotion, borne along by the impassioned playing of The Queensland Orchestra, which proves itself to be anything but a provincial band under the masterfully paced baton of Tourniaire. Well worth seeking out 'Editor's Choice' *****5 stars" "The tenor evinces great bravura...The Queensland Orchestra, conducted by the young Guillaume Tourniaire, is remarkable. One notes in particular the perfectly judged contributions of the winds and the percussion. Obviously French music is taken very seriously in the Antipodes. ****4 stars" "Enthralling...sumptuous French late-romantic music beautifully recorded and performed with absolute commitment. *****5 stars performance/*****5 stars sonics" Fanfare (US) (January/February 2010) "... the superb Queensland Orchestra, led with aplomb by Guillaume Tourniaire. Melba's production values are luxurious--a palpable harbinger of the sumptuousness on disc. Splendid!" "Steve Davislim brings with him the ring of authenticity in the Chausson...the label has not skimped over the packaging. Its presentation is of a standard not common amongst standard European labels." "Turbulent Heart meets the highest expectations. The performances are stylistically impeccable, every note clothed in tone of the most appealing kind. This recording is just about the last word in excellence...its presentation is a triumph. I recommend it unreservedly." "Davislim's singing—impassioned and technically flawless—is complemented by French conductor Guillaume Tourniaire, who crafts from The Queensland Orchestra a performance that could hardly have been eclipsed by France's finest." "I loved it, with thanks to Davislim's great interpretative nuances and the superb playing of the Queensland Orchestra. This disc is a must have from this year's crop." "This release is in every way an admirable production. Rich SACD sound embraces the listener from beginning to end, the singing is unencumbered by hystrionics and the orchestral playing is nothing less than sublime." "As one has come to expect from Melba Recordings, the technical quality of the production is first-rate, and the integrated booklet and CD cover highly attractive. The company is to be congratulated for its championing of this sadly neglected music. If one is to understand Vierne's capabilities as a composer in the broadest sense, acquisition of this CD is mandatory." "Bravo Melba!...in the vanguard of those labels who advocate the cause of French composers with such timeliness. Magnificent." "...the blend of voice and orchestra glow together like radiant embers -- an exquisitely nuanced performance." "Outstanding Australian tenor Davislim is brilliant with the Queensland Orchestra under French conductor Guillaume Tourniaire" Revue des Deux Mondes (France) (January 2010) "Davislim demonstrates singing that is radiant, masterly, lyrical and dramatic, underpinned by impeccable French diction. Accompanied by the Queensland Orchestra directed by our compatriot Guillaume Tourniaire, he offers us a rare and enchanting recording." Der Neue Merker (Austria) (28 October 2009) "Steve Davislim sings these elegiac symphonic poems beautifully... Guillaume Tourniaire conducts the Queensland Orchestra, conjuring up a miraculous French oriental sound. - Highly recommended!" Readings Monthly (Australia) (October 2009) "Steve Davislim has released another stunning album ... rich, sumptuous and satisfying ... Its sound quality is 10/10." The Northern Echo (UK) (7 January 2010) "Australia's leading tenor Steve Davislim performs a programme of rarely heard works by Chausson and Vierne. Davislim has a voice of penetrating beauty which is perfectly balanced by the Queensland Orchestra. Highly recommended" "Thanks to the Australian firm Melba for having recorded such masterpieces. Nothing less hackneyed could be imagined -- at least in the Hexagon! Thanks are due also to the Provencal Guillaume Tourniaire, the young conductor with the spectacular career...A superb recording, sumptuously presented." "... this is a completely captivating album" "... another remarkable recording so typical of Melba ... without any hesitation, I recommend this release ..." "Everything is formidably performed by the Australian musicians and a young French conductor. *****Diapasons" "exciting ... Davislim sings beautifully." "... luxurious presentation ... Guillaume Tourniaire confirms here his affinity for French music." "Australian tenor Steve Davislim proves as eloquent an interpreter of French song as he is of the songs of Richard Strauss, Britten and Schubert, while young French conductor Guillaume Tourniaire draws splendid performances from the Queensland Orchestra. CD of the Week." "the excellence of Davislim's singing makes this an appealing disc." "This beautifully produced SACD features a sumptuous recording of French romantic music at its most ecstatic" Classical CD Review (US) (September 2009) "Davislim excels in this repertory, and the Australian orchestra under Guillaume Tourniaire's direction is in fine form." MusicWeb International (UK) (12 February 2010) "Steve Davislim...must handle an extremely wide range of emotions in the various works on this disk. He does so with distinction...The Queensland Orchestra plays with real devotion; perhaps as well as I have ever heard them. Part of this is due, I am sure, to the leadership of Tourniaire, who achieves an idiomatic French sound throughout and further demonstrates the ability he has shown in his recording of Saint-Saëns' Hélène...One must have make especial mention of the very erudite notes by Jacques Tchamkerten and of the lavishness of the overall production" "...the four symphonic songs by Louis Vierne are a welcome addition to the catalogue" "...implacable dramatic thrust." The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) (24 April 2010) "Davislim's voice has beautifully polished finish, and bloom and his French declamation resonates with sophisticated stylish eloquence. The Queensland Orchestra under Guillaume Tourniaire accompanies sensitively...This disc shines light on a bold forgotten style." Pittwater Life (Australia) (September 2009) "... French Romantic music at its very best." Fine Music (2MBS) (Australia) (April 2010) "Dramatic elegance is an apt description for these French symphonic poems for voice and orchestra and their performance by Australian tenor, Steve Davislim. Having reviewed an earlier disc by this singer, my admiration grows with this recording...there is mainly sadness expressed in these works but oh! so exquisitely!" Courier Mail (Australia) (26 September 2009) "French conductor Guillaume Tourniaire is well tuned to this material and gives secure lead through the impressionist-tinged imagery, drifting and soaring, exploding into furies of lush orchestral tones, retreating to intimacy." |