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 […]
Naxos
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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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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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Friedemann Eichhorn Concludes Pierre Rode Series with Elan
Friedemann Eichhorn completes his traversal of Pierre Rode’s violin concertos in fine style. Over the years Eichhorn seems to have internalized Rode’s technique, and perhaps some of his aesthetic. In this recording, he plays with a sweet tone and a light touch. Pierre Rode was one of the most brilliant violinists of his age, a […]
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Viola Concertos by Amanda Harberg and Max Wolpert – Refreshingly Modern
I’d like to have a copy of this release readily available at all times. I would shove it into the hands of every person I heard complain about “unlistenable” modern music and demand they listen to it. Amanda Harberg is a thoroughly modern composer who is unafraid of a beautiful melody. Her 2012 Concerto for […]
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Another BPO Rediscovery – Vítězslav Novák
There are two things I admire about the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of JoAnn Faletta. First, their high performance standards. Even their basic repertoire recordings make you sit up and take notice. Second, their commitment to expanding the repertoire. Experience has taught me that I can trust Faletta and the BSO. If they’ve […]
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Amir Mahyar Tafreshipour – Persian Echoes
Amir Mahyar Tafreshipour isn’t the first composer to meld his cultural musical heritage into classical composition. And he does so as convincingly as Dvorak, Bartok, or De Falla (in his own style, of course). Tafreshipour said this of Persian Echoes, his harp concerto: “My intention was not to compose an exotic piece simply with the use […]
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George Dyson – Choral Symphony Shows Composer’s Promise
George Dyson’s Choral Symphony is a remarkable rediscovery. The work was written for Dyson’s Doctor of Music examination in 1917. It was dutifully evaluated (he passed), then filed away and forgotten with countless other such examination pieces. There it remained until Paul Spicer ran across it while researching Dyson’s biography. It’s an impressive work for […]
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Clementi Sonatas Show Classic Elegance
I love Naxos’ passion for completeness. It matches my own compulsion. I have no doubt that they will eventually have every piano work by Muzio Clementi available. And probably all of his orchestral works, concertos, and other pieces besides. This release features works from three points in Clementi’s career. The Op. 23 sonatas were published […]