PRESS COMMENTARY

(COLLATED BY SUZANNE HAÏK-VANTOURA)


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The following English text (undated) contains various reactions of the press to Mme. Haïk-Vantoura's work not many years after it was first released. Many of the press citations are English translations of non-English-speaking authors. Many of these reviews specifically concern the original recording LA MUSIQUE DE LA BIBLE RÉVÉLÉE (released in LP format by Harmonia Mundi in 1976).

"Champollion" of music (...) Suzanne Haïk-Vantoura, by dint of patience, knowledge and study, has succeeded in deciphering the music of the Bible inscribed in mysterious symbols (...) "From the strict application of my deciphering key," she writes, "I was able to decipher a treasure of masterpieces bearing witness to a refined art." She speaks the truth and I have proof in hand, in the form of a collection of 14 "restored" melodies (...) The expressive quality of this music equals its discretion...

"CLARENDON": Le FIGARO -- Paris, February 22, 1979

... This music from ages past speaks directly to us, men of the 20th century (...) A stunning work (rating: "outstanding").

Paul MEUNIER -- TELERAMA, Paris, April 24, 1976

Unknown, admirable music, beyond all recording comparisons. A huge success (rating: "Gold Tuning Fork [Diapason d'Or]").

Pierre-Paul LACAS -- DIAPASON, Paris, April 1976

Thanks to the obstinacy of this former student of Roger Ducasse and Marcel Dupre, twice recipient of prizes at the Paris Conservatory (fugue and harmony), the music of the Song of Songs or that of the Psalms has been rediscovered.

LE JOURNAL DE JERUSALEM, Israel, April 9, 1976

All through the 500 pages of this volume, the author invites us, by faultless logic (supported by numerous musical examples), to follow her in her research of a genuine deciphering of the Bible texts (...) Listening to this record is simply awesome. Such a return to the sources constitutes the most outstanding discovery in musicology.

Vincent GAMBAU -- VIE & SANTE, Paris, January 1977

Very beautiful music, impressive and somber chants, very melancholy, that remind one of certain Oriental music as well as Gregorian chants.

J.M. -- LE SOIR, Bruxelles, November 7, 1976

...A statement: The test of the evidence applied to the "cantillated" texts according to the provided key. Of interest: the wealth of historical background.

Brigitte MASSIN -- PANORAMA DE LA MUSIQUE, Paris, September 1976

...Aside from its charming beauty, this music is of prodigious actuality, giving the record extreme importance.

GENTE, Milan, January 1977

Champollion of the Bible, Suzanne Haïk-Vantoura relishes her victory with modesty. All People of the Book -- Jews and Christians alike -- will henceforth listen with greater fervor to the text which has maintained their faith for centuries.

Bernard CHEVALIER -- LE CURRIER de GENEVE, April 1976

...This is a work of the highest scholarship and enterprise, enjoying the approval of the musical and Rabbinic authorities of France. It is fascinating and brings alive a whole world of Hebrew worship which was thought to be irretrievable. (...) The haunting beauty of the melodies, particularly when accompanied with harp, trumpet and other biblical instruments, give a freshness and sparkle in an entirely new vein.

PAX -- England, November 1980

...Very beautiful music, very great music! It contains treasures of expressivity, uncommon melodic imagination, allowing creation, with limited means, of a multitude of forms: exalting melodies, meditative, solemn, of profoundly religious character.

Pierrette NAUGEY -- DIAPASON, Paris, March 1980


Updated November 05, 2008