Leif Segerstam’s cycle of Beethoven choral works continues with some of his earliest compositions. In 1790, the nineteen-year-old Beethoven was a court musician in Bonn. He was commissioned to write two cantatas. Basically, it was “the king is dead, long live the king.” The first cantata was to mourn the death of the recently deceased […]
Naxos
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Dan Locklair – Symphony No. 2, “America” optimistic and hopeful
Dan Locklair is best known as an organist and a composer of works for his instrument. But there’s a strong correlation between writing for organ and writing for orchestra — just ask Anton Bruckner. Many contemporary choral and organ composers write tonal music, free from academic fussiness. Locklair certainly falls into that group. And while […]
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Michael Daugherty evokes Woody Guthrie — and more
I’ve said in previous reviews that Michael Daugherty is a national treasure. And this release adds credence to that argument. Daugherty regularly reinterprets aspects of American life and culture in his music. The works are complex yet accessible, blending classical and traditional music. They sound as American as Aaron Copland, yet as far removed from […]
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Bosphorus Trio showcase Turkish piano trios
In my opinion, the wonderful thing about classical music is its adaptability. Composers from all over the world have used the genre to create music of great beauty and substance. And in the process, bring something of their own culture in the cosmopolitan mix. And how much native music traditions should go into that mix? […]
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Leif Segerstam begins Beethoven choral series
Ludwig van Beethoven’s oratorio was premiered at a marathon concert in 1803. And I mean marathon. The all-Beethoven program (conducted by the composer) included his first and second symphonies, plus his third piano concerto. Some of the shorter pieces scheduled were dropped due to time constraints (!). “Christ on the Mount of Olives” originally received […]
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Zdenek Fibich orchestral series ends in fine form
This is the final volume in Naxos’ series of Zdenek Fibich orchestral works. It includes the last of his three symphonies, as well as orchestral music from three of his operas. Fibich completed his third symphony in 1898, just two years before his death. The work is ambitious, with a “darkness-to-light” premise that keeps the […]
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Myroslav Skoryk concertos continue to entertain
The final volume of Andrej Bielow’s traversal of Myroslav Skoryk violin concertos doesn’t disappoint. Ukrainian composer Myroslav wrote nine concerti, each with a different character, and yet all with a consistently high level of quality. This volume covers his last five concertos, written between 2004 and 2014. When I play the 5th and the 9th […]
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Willam Dawson and Ulysses Kay — two sides of Black classical music
This release features two African-American composers with two very different styles. William Levi Dawson was a respected composer, teacher, and musicologist. He’s best remembered for his work in collecting and arranging African-American spirituals. Dawson’s Negro Folk Symphony celebrates that heritage. Dawson creates a flowing orchestral narrative using snippets from various spirituals (and not just well-known […]
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Nikolay Myaskovsky symphonies demonstrate composer’s growth
Nikolay Myaskovsky is considered the Father of the Russian Symphony and with good reason. He wrote his first symphony in 1908 after studying with Rimsky-Korsakov. His 27th (and final) symphony was completed in 1949. His works frequently performed both before the Revolution and after it. For Mysaskovky, the creation of big themes worthy of symphonic treatment […]