This release completes Andrew Manze’s traversal of Lars-Erik Larsson symphonies — although I hope he doesn’t stop there. Larsson was a talented composer who crafted his own language out of various 20th Century trends. It’s a voice that needs to be heard more often. The centerpiece of this release is Larsson’s 1944 Symphony No. 3 […]
contemporary classical music
-
-
John Harbison Requiem – A Contemporary Choral Masterwork
What impressed me most listening to the Requiem was how well it all hung together. Harbison started sketching parts of it back in 1985. A version of the “Sanctus” was written in 1991 for a commission. In 1995, what would become the “Introit” was written for Harbison’s contribution to the multi-composer work, Requiem of Reconciliation. […]
-
Poul Ruders – Occam’s Razor
The cover of this release shows two old friends sharing a moment — composer Poul Ruders and guitarist David Starobin. Their 30+ year relationship has been extraordinarily fruitful. This release presents a few of Ruders’ works commissioned by Starobin. Occam’s Razor is a philosophical principle: the simplest explanation is usually the best. Just as Occam’s Razor […]
-
Panufnik – Celestial Bird gives gift of song
“Celestial Bird” is more than an album — it’s a present. In celebration of Panufnik’s 50th birthday, this release brings together ten of her previously unrecorded choral works. The music is all fairly recent, dating from 2013 through 2018. And it shows the wide-ranging interests of the composer. St. Pancras Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis is […]
-
Wilhelm Kempff Chamber Music – Worth a Listen
Wilhelm Kempff is best remembered as a piano virtuoso. But he was also a composer. This release features two youthful chamber works. The Trio in G minor for violin, cello, and piano dates from 1911, when Kempff was studying composition with a former student of Brahms. The lineage is easy to hear. Kempff develops his […]
-
Paul Lansky – Idle Fancies Keep Gwen Dease Busy
Paul Lansky has been creating an impressive catalog of percussion music since the 1990s. This release features three exceptional works for solo marimba, written for some exceptional performers. “Three Moves” (1998) is the earliest (and most difficult) of the three works. Written for Nancy Zeltsman, the music hops across the broad expanse of a five-octave […]
-
Alan Hovhaness – Wind Music, Vol. 3
There’s still a lot of music by Alan Hovhaness yet to be recorded. With over 450 works in his catalog, there’s plenty to choose from — and many opportunities for world premiere recordings. This particular installment of Hovhaness’ wind music has four. Hovhaness’ style was fairly consistent throughout his career. I can always count on […]
-
Villa-Lobos Symphonic Cycle Ends at Beginning
Naxos completes their cycle of Villa-Lobos symphonies by starting at the beginning. This final installment features Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2. Both are early works, and both are strongly influenced by Vincent d’Indy. Villa-Lobos studied in France and used d’Indy’s book on composition as a guide. His first symphony, completed in 1916 bears a strong […]
-
Cooperstock Delivers Nuanced Performances of Bernstein Piano Music
Leonard Bernstein was an accomplished pianist and a prolific composer. And yet his oeuvre for solo piano is surprisingly small — small enough to fit onto two CDs. The first disc of this release collects all of Bernstein’s “Anniversaries” – miniature gems written for friends and colleagues. The second features his more extended piano works. […]