Visions

one of the best of all harp recordings now available. (…) needle-sharp precision in realizing every moment in each of these pieces. Never popular generally, it receives an account of great refinement. (…)

This recital offers an inspired programme of 20th- and 21st-century pieces recorded in a gorgeous acoustic by Jared Sacks, one of the industry’s foremost producers and engineers. So, very high expectations, but does this disc deliver? Oh yes, yes and yes again.
Brittens’ Toccata (from Suite, op. 83) is a miraculous miniature, with some lovely arpeggios, the Nocturne a moody little number, distinctly Satie-esque in its unquiet ramblings. But it’s in the short Fugue that Meijer produces some of the most liquid tones imaginable, the closing Hymn a discreet set of variations on a Welsh tune. Rarely have I heard harp playing of such delicacy and poise, the crisp upper register counterbalanced by a dark, woody bass that beguiles the mind and caresses the ear. But make no mistake, this is muscular, trustful music, and Meijer delivers it with plenty of passion and power.

I was so taken with this disc that I promptly went out and bought Meijer’s earlier recording, Divertissements (CCS SA 28908). That, too, is a pleasure from start to finish, but really Visions is in another league entirely. Channel’s solid production values – reflected in the high standard of its artwork, liner-notes and general presentation – would be sorely missed if downloads and DIY documentation become the norm. A must-have for harp aficionados and audio buffs alike.

Wonderschone Suite van Britten (...)
(…) Fascinerende ‘Bugs’ van Paul Patterson uit 2006. Met technische souplesse gaat Lavinia de muziek te lijf maar bovenal weet zij fantastische, zeer diverse sferen op te roepen. Wie dacht dat harpmuziek saai of tuttig was luisteren naar deze geweldige cd !! Meijeris een visionair topmusicus.

Zij verovert de wereld in snel tempo met haar passie voor de harp en houdt op deze cd een gloedvol en uitdagend betoog voor eigentijdse harpcomponisten. Fascinerend spel!!

Meijer’s brilliance is undeniable throughout this quirky repertoire.
(…) Her brilliance as a harpist is amply demonstrates in all of the pieces making up this recital (…)
(…) Spectacular in glissandos and chordal effects in Britten’s Suite (...)

Without doubt, here is one of the most magnificent recordings devoted to the harp of the past ten years. This monument – for that is what it is – is dedicated to contemporary composers or those from the last century.
(…) Lavinia Meijer once again performs with communicative passion. Each instant of her brilliant playing, colorful and inspired from beginning to end, is absolute magic. Her fingers glide on the chords with both grace and virtuosity. Time then seems to stop its forward advance, leaving the silence of these poetic resonances melt into our most intimate thoughts. This, quite simply, is a masterpiece.

Voici bel et bien un des plus beaux enregistrements consacrés à la Harpe de ces dix dernières années. Ce monument, car il s’agit d’une révélation, est dédié à des compositeurs contemporains ou appartenant au siècle passé. (…)
(…) La jeune harpiste Lavinia Meijer récidive avec une passion communicative. Chaque instant de son jeu brillant, coloré et inspiré de bout en bout, est un enchantement absolu. Ses doigts courent sur les cordes avec grâce et virtuosité à la fois. Et le temps semble alors suspendre son avancée, laissant le silence de ces résonnances poétiques se fondre dans nos pensées les plus intimes. Un chef-d’œuvre tout simplement.

excellente verrichtingen uitgekomen op cd, met grote resultaten. Behorend tot een van de beste producties van dit jaar. De harpiste blinkt uit in naoorlogswerken van oa Britten. (...)
(...) De met de Nederlandse Muziekprijs gelauwerde harpiste brengt ook haar unieke gave in stelling, expressief tumultueus harpspel, dat tegelijk tot in de puntjes is gearticuleerd (...)