This has to be one of the most unusual albums of choral music I’ve listened to. The concept is solid — sacred music by 20th Century Czech composers. What’s unusual is the relationship between the composers. The Czech Philharmonic Choir of Brno performs two works by Bohuslav Martinu. Rounding out the album are works by […]
contemporary classical music
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Vasks – Laudate Dominum “strengthens faith, love, and soul”
This is the third release by the Latvian Radio Choir of Peteris Vasks’s music. The choir has long collaborated with the composer. And what a fruitful partnership. Several of his works they premiered appear in this release. The music of Latvian-born Peteris Vasks shares some qualities with that of other regional composers, such as Arvo […]
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Pizzetti Symphony in A and Harp Concerto – neo-classical or pre-classical?
Pizzetti’s sprawling 43-minute symphony was written to commemorate the 2600th Anniversary of the Japanese Imperial Dynasty. This 1940 Symphony doesn’t have a particularly Japanese feel to it. Rather, the work has a strong modal flavor — in some places it reminded me of Vaughan Williams. Pizzetti was a contemporary of Ottorino Respighi and shared his […]
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São Paulo Symphony and Karabtchevsky Deliver with Villa-Lobos Symphonies, Vol. 5
Volume five of Naxos’ Villa-Lobos Symphonies features three works written for American premieres. Symphony No. 8 was completed in 1950, No. 9 in 1952, and No. 11 in 1955. Despite the five-year span, the three works share several similarities. All three are relatively short works. Villa-Lobos’ motifs are almost epigrams, and yet these are densely-compact […]
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Paul Chihara Takes the A Train and Mixes Genres
Paul Chihara composes for films. Film scores must support the narrative and communicate emotion. And it must do it in a way that instantly connects with the viewer. That skill set works well for Chihara in the classical world, too. His compositions have a transparency to them that draws the listener in. The surface may […]
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Intimate Chamber Music by Johann Molter and Colleagues
The liner notes for this release note that the Karlsruhe court “for reasons of cost” eschewed foreign soloists. This implies Johann Molter and other court composers had to keep their vocal writing relatively simple for the local talent. Perhaps so, but the end results were anything but second-tier. Molter has three solo cantatas on this […]
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Havergal Brian Symphonic Series Finishes in Fine Style
The sales sheet for this release notes that “This issue completes the commercial recording of all 32 of Brian’s symphonies.” Well, that may be true, but it’s a little confusing. First, not all the symphonies have been recorded by Naxos/Marco Polo. Although with 17 of Brian’s 32 symphonies in their catalog, Naxos has definitely recorded […]
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Jaroslav Krcek – Instrumental Music from a Czech Master
Jaroslav Krcek is an important musical figure in the Czech Republic. He’s an authority on Czech folk music, as well as Medieval and Renaissance music. He’s a classical composer and has written “an electronic opera.” Krcek has been a music editor for Supraphon. And he’s also invented an instrument or two. Listening to this release […]
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Rautavaara Works for Cello — Crystalline Masterworks
If you’re only familiar with Rautavaara’s orchestral works and love them as much as I do, you should listen to this release. With only one or two instruments to work with, the essence of Rautavaara’s music is laid bare. As the artists write in the liner notes, “Rautavaara’s music surprised us with how violently it […]