SUSAN LANDALE
LONDON “Playing the
entire work from memory (Eben’s Faust), Miss Landale left no doubt of her
towering place among
The Sunday Times
COPENHAGEN “She is a
dazzling technician, but in particular a very lively and fascinating musician,
whose special talent lies in her vigorous and exuberant communication with her
public.”
“… the climax (was) Bach’s Dorian Toccata and Fugue, marvelously rendered, full of life and verve. It was as if all the pipes, winds and intricate machinery of this great instrument were in perfect fusion with the artist, creating a living, organic whole. This is so rare in an organ recital, that when it does happen it must indeed be all the more appreciated.”
Kristeligt Dagblad
ADELAIDE “Find a performer with an attractive personality and who is so at home with her repertoire that the personality radiates through the playing, and you are ensured a joyous musical experience.”
The Advertiser
CHARTRES “It is rarely given
to us to hear an artist who can approach so many different genres with equal
felicity ... her program, to all appearances so varied, had a deep unity: that
of talent.”
PARIS “‘Emotion, sincerity first of all. But conveyed to the listener by means that are both sure and clear.’ These words of Messiaen in the preface to La Nativité, resume almost completely the artistic value of this recording (of Messiaen's La Nativité).”
(CD Charles Tournemire) “Triumphantly at ease both musically and instrumentally and just as inspired as in her recording of Messiaen’s Livre du Saint Sacrement … it is no exaggeration to say that Susan Landale transports us into an enchanted universe of stunning beauty and splendour and thrilling impact.”
Diapason
“The most sumptuous and captivating version there is of (Messiaen’s) Livre du Saint Sacrement ... one hardly dares to say so: this eighth complete CD recording is almost synonymous with the revelation of the work.”
Diapason
LYON “Susan Landale’s playing is clear and brilliant and lends itself to every style; her remarkable technique is more than a match for the most arduous difficulties and, above all, she has the gift of profound and fine-tuned sensitivity. Truly she is a complete artist.”
GRENOBLE “Messiaen is still able to open new doors for us ... above all when he has at his service the sovereign ease and the generous artistry, combining brilliance and deep sensitivity, of Susan Landale.”
Le Dauphiné
Libré
MANCHESTER “All the solo pieces were played without a score, which made the performance even more impressive. It was indeed a recital to remember.”
CHEMNITZ “Here (Eben’s 2nd Organ Concerto) praise must go first and foremost to the remarkable organist Susan Landale, and the outstanding quality of her performance be underlined. Her capacity to share her extraordinary intuition for the sensitive blending of sound and color obviously inspired and led the orchestra towards an ideal partnership.”
OPAVA “The whole program, including the encores, in a packed and enthusiastic concert hall, was a demonstration of Susan Landale’s admirable understanding of the world of musical pensée, from the eighteenth century until today.”
SAN FRANCISCO “These were dazzling performances and an exercise in thought-provoking programming.”
20th Century Music
BRNO “Susan Landale is a master of the king of instruments ... the whole concert was like a heady French aperitif, difficult to relinquish such a glass!”
Vladimir Čech
HEIDELBERG “(In Saint-Saëns’ 3rd Symphony) she fulfilled her role as the composer intended, less as a soloist than fully integrating the organ into the orchestra. This she did with a fine sense of nuance and registration and a remarkable feeling for the orchestral ensemble.”
Rhein-Neckar
Zeitung
CHEMNITZ (Handel Concertos Op. 4 and 7) “This was crystal-clear musicianship and a genuine correspondence with the orchestra.”
KAMIEN-POMORSKY “Huge applause bore witness to the rapture which her performance awakened in the audience.”
Glos Szcezecinksi
ST. ALBANS “Opening her recital with an impressive performance of Bach’s famous St. Anne’s Prelude and Fugue in E flat, her impeccable rhythmic control and clarity of line in this richly texture and highly complex work was an example to us all.”
St. Albans Observer
Splendour in the cathedral (…) “With Franck’s Third Choral she came into her own … it was as compelling a performance as I have heard.”
The Independent
RECORDING REVIEWS
Cesar Franck: The
Organ Works (Calliope 9941-2)
“From one end to other, the Trois Pièces
and the Trois Chorals are a true splendour. Here, where Franck’s language attains its
climax, this recording deserves to be taken as a reference.”
Diapason
(Paris)
“The fervent balance which animates this complete recording, allies force and humanity, lyricism and dramatic fire, elevation and emotion, inexhaustible energy and moderation, generous simplicity and dizzying mastery of all its components.”
Le
Monde de la Musique (Paris)
“
BBC
Music Magazine Direct
“Landale brings an exquisite poise and lyrical sensitivity.”
American
Record Guide
“Her performances are to the manner born; her experience of French organs and music shine through in her marvelous control of form and her command of rhythm.”
The
Organists’ Review (London)
“[Susan Landale’s] marvelous control of form and her command of rhythm … Her sense of timing – in music that is so often oratorical – is immaculate.”
The
Organists’ Review
“… throughout, Landale effects a compelling balance of virtuoso vivacity and expressive eloquence – suffused with buoyancy and rhythmic vibrance – immediately riveting yet continually revealing, which is to say that this is a set to live with and return to with renewing pleasure.”
Adrian
Corleonis: Fanfare