Burgmüller is one of those tragic early deaths (age 26) in classical music that leaves us wondering what could have been. I love this early romantic piano concerto. The lyrical interplay between the cello, orchestra, and piano in the slow movement is particularly noteworthy and indicative of a more mature composer. Lovely stuff.
Leopold Godowsky - Piano Sonata in E Minor. Year: 1910 - 1911
Adam Aleksander/Piano
Rating: 3.75 Stars
The Burgmüller concerto seemed to put me in a piano mode. That in mind, I went for an unusually long solo piano piece, the almost 47 minute Godowsky Piano Sonata in E Minor. For such a Romantic (and long) piece, this think is rather dense. And relentlessly complex. The polyphony between the right and left hands is challenging just to look at in the score, let alone play. Ironically, all that intricacy helps keep my short attention span engaged over the pieces considerable length. If you're not one to bemoan "too many notes," this may just be for you too.
Adolphus Hailstork - Three Spirituals for Orchestra
Virginia Symphony Orc hestra/JoAnn Falletta
Rating: 3.75 Stars
Adolphus Hailstork - An American Port of Call
Virginia Symphony Orc hestra/JoAnn Falletta
Rating: 4 Stars
Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.
This was a delightful disc by a new-to-me composer. The symphony is a relatively brief 22 minute contemporary American four part symphony delivered by a small chamber orchestra one would expect to hear in an early Haydn symphony. The marriage is a blissful one as this is an active and intriguing but not-too-heavy piece that would make a wonderful concert opener.
The 3 Spirituals for Orchestra are where Hailstork reaches more directly into his African American heritage, but then again delivers them through a thoroughly unique modern classical lens at times sounding as if influenced primarily by William Grant Still, but with just a touch of Stravinsky. Again, delightful music.
An American Port Of Call combines an alternatingly tumultuous and tenuous journey with the anticipation of arrival. As I listen to this, I envision myself standing at the rail of a ship, feeling all the fears and hopes of arriving in the new world.
I was pretty unimpressed with this highly lauded Mozart symphony when I purchased my first version of it, a bargain Naxos disc. I just figured "Hey, I guess it's not up there with the 40th and 41st, so maybe I'm just never really going to get into it." I couldn't really pin down whether it was just because I was new to classical music, or if it was a relatively weak peace, or maybe this was just a less than stellar performance. Every once in a while, I'd hear it come up when listening to classical radio and thought "maybe this will be the time it clicks." But I think my memory of my one disc with the piece, sitting on the shelf collecting dust, became a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy, that it's just really not that great and I'm best off continuing to explore new -to-me classical music and new readings of old favorites.
That all changed this morning when, on an inexplicable whim I pulled up this youtube of the Prague with Bernard Haitink on the podium. All I can say is "Wow!" An almost impossible combination of poise and humor permeate this entire reading, and it brings out all the charms I would usually associate with Mozart. What a supremely delightful way to begin my holiday weekend!
Haitink was 88 years old as of the date of this performance. Amazing. I wanna' be him when I grow up (I'm 59).
Oh, and I really must visit Prague. Just gotta' convince my wife who has gotten to the point she's not keen on overseas travel.
Kalevi Aho - Quintet for Flute, Oboe, Violin, Viola and Cello Year: 1977
Sinfonia Lahti Chamber Ensemble
Rating: 3.75 Stars
Primarily a composer of large scale works, Kalevi Aho shows he can make great things come in smaller packages here. This modern mixed string/wind quintet is a most intriguing composition. There's a lot going on here. The interplay between the three strings would be a standout on its own. Add in the swirling interplay of the two winds, and the sounds just dance around in my head, beseeching my mind to try to keep up following them around in their frolic. Even the slower parts which make up much of the composition belie the intricacy of their foundation. I would love to see a live performance of this in an intimate setting.
Dora Pejačević - Piano Trio in C, Op. 29 Year: 1910
Rating: 4 Stars
Violin: Andrej Bielow
Cello: Christian Poltéra
Piano: Oliver Triendl
A totally lovely romantic piece, but with an occasionally non-standard rhythmic pulse that makes it all the more interesting without losing any of its charm. I believe I'll look more into this composer.
William Grant Still - Danzas de Panama for String Orchestra Year: 1948
Isiah Jackson/Berliner Symphony Orchestra
Rating: 4 Stars
William Grant Still - Danzas de Panama (original string quartet version) Year: 1948
Sarita Kwok, violin
Julianne Lee, violin
Stephanie Fong, viola
Sasha Scolnik-Brower, cello
Rating: 4.25 Stars
William Grant Still wrote these four movements bases on Panamanian folk music in 1948. While there are four movements, each has two or three dances in it. All show Still's great facility for melody, and all are nicely linked together in a coherent whole. To me, this makes a very nice companion set to Reshpghi's Ancient Airs and Dances. Truly lovely stuff.
I loved the full string orchestra version, but the live performance in the original string quartet score is a real grabber!
Igor Stravinsky - Symphony in C Year: 19138 - 1940
Herbert von Karajan/Berliner Philharmoniker
Rating: 4.25 Stars
This beautiful symphony is probably the peak of Stravinsky's neoclassical work. It is pure music marvelously composed, and full of spirit. Karajan, who can be a bit heavy at times, does a marvelous job of bringing out the light in this work. A rousing start to my day!
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