Challenging times called for something desirous. The COVID-19 pandemic lead soprano Katharine Dain (US) and pianist Sam Armstrong (UK) to immerse themselves deeply into the excessive musical world of Messiaen, Debussy and three robustly related other composers: Dutilleux, Delbos and Saariaho.
The majority of the program on this disc is written during a period on which the particular composer was facing daring circumstances. Like these two musicians were during the production of "Regards sur l’Infini". ‘Views on the eternity’, having an outlook on the relief is an ever-present element on this album. Not able to pinpoint when a certain stressful era will end provoked people.
The two performers have consequently tried to relieve themselves with a severe focus on our fascination about creating music. Just what the composers on this album did. And then, when it’s brought so heroic, resonant and immensely prepared and aware this duo does, music gives real freedom to the spirit. © 7 Mountain Records