In my opinion, Michael Daugherty’s style hits the sweet spot. His music has real substance, working on multiple layers that yield fresh insights with every hearing. He’s also fully integrated the musical vernacular of pop culture. And he writes in a mostly tonal and strongly rhythmic language. These strengths enable his music to connect with […]
Naxos
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Danielpour String Quartets Lyrical and Accessible
This release was something of a surprise. Naxos has released many recordings of Richard Danielpour’s music. So when I received a copy of this set of string quartets, I assumed that Naxos had also recorded and release the previous four. Not so. Not only are these world premiere recordings of Danielpour’s latest string quartets, but […]
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Clementi Sonatas Span Career
This release presents a snapshot of Clementi’s development as a composer — and the development of his chosen instrument. Sandro De Palma performs at a modern keyboard. but he carefully matches his playing to the works. De Palma gives Clementi’s 1771 Op. 1 Sonata in a delicate, mannered reading. It’s easy to hear a close […]
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Margaretha Consort Delivers Authentic 17th C. German Christmas
Marit Broekroelofs and the Margretha Consort present a fascinating program of seasonal music. There are plenty of early Baroque Christmas albums to choose from, in just about every flavor. What makes this recording stand out is the consistency of the artistic vision. Broekroelofs has taken the seasonal repertoire of the early Protestant church and presents […]
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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. […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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
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 […]