In the 19th Century Russia, one composer towered over the rest. It wasn’t Tchaikovsky, any member of the Might Five. It was Anton Rubinstein. Rubinstein was prolific, and one of the first to assimilate Western musical tradition into Russian composition. Rubinstein was a piano virtuoso (among other talents), and his five piano concertos were the […]
Neeme Jarvi
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Atterberg symphonies romantic and visionary
The fifth and final installment of Neeme Järvi’s traversal of Kurt Atterberg symphonies is out. And it presents two works that stand in stark contrast. Atterberg’s 1942 “Sinfonia romantica,” is sunny, lyrical, and light-hearted, while the “Sinfonia visionaria” is a thickly-textured study of Nordic gloom. Atterberg’s Symphony No. 7 was written in reaction to what […]
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Neeme Järvi conducts Jacques Ibert: sumptuous
There’s a reason Chandos released this in the SACD format. Neeme Järvi and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande perform Ibert’s orchestral works with sympathy and panache — and subtle inflection. And that means every sonic detail is important. As recorded by Chandos, the orchestra, performing in Victoria Hall, Geneva, has a rich, seamless ensemble […]
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Sharon Bezaly Presents Solid Program of Flute Concertos
Sharon Bezaly has been steadily gaining attention in the classical world, and this recording simply adds to her reputation. Bezaly plays with a very clear, pure tone that’s well-suited to the material in this collection. Her command of the flute is exemplary. She maintains control in the extremes of the upper register, keeping the sound […]