Norwegian composer Eivind Groven had a unique compositional voice. It was informed by his intimate knowledge of Norwegian folk music and folk instruments. Groven came from a family of folk musicians and was an accomplished Hardanger fiddle player. While similar to a violin, there are many differences. These differences form the basis of the music […]
Orchestral music
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Modern masterworks by Victoria Borisova-Ollas
Victoria Borisova-Ollas is a Russian-born composer making her home in Sweden. If you (like me) aren’t familiar with her work, start with this recording. It’s stunning. Borisova-Ollas writes deeply spiritual music, drawing on classical music traditions of the past as well as the present. And she’s an imaginative orchestrator. Her use of percussion is original […]
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Mona and Rica Bard jumpstart Bruch double piano concerto
This release features two live recordings from a Max Bruch Jubilee Concert. The recorded sound and the performances are first-rate. The Staatskapelle Halle directed by Ariane Matiakh has a warm sound that’s still richly detailed. The audience is so well-behaved that this could pass for a studio recording. For many, Buch is a one-hit-wonder. His […]
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Florent Schmitt release balances the familiar with the unknown
This release mixes Florent Schmitt’s most recorded work –La Tragédie de Salomé — with some receiving their world recording premieres. But it’s all Schmitt, so it’s all good. Maestro JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra do well with late Romantic/early Post Romantic repertoire. Their previous Schmidtt recording of Antoine et Cleopatre was outstanding. As […]
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Carl Reinecke – Orchestral Works show influences
Carl Reinecke studied with Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, and Franz Liszt. And those influences can be heard in various works. For his piano concertos, it’s Liszt. For his symphonies, it’s more Mendelssohn/Schumann. At least, that’s what I heard in this first installment of Reinecke’s orchestral works from CPO. It includes two of Reinecke’s symphonies, plus […]
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Auber Overtures 3 — keeps gets better
Maestro Dario Salvi leads a different ensemble for this installment of Auber opera overtures. The Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra has a full, yet light sound that sometimes seems to sparkle. And that’s a sound well-suited to Auber’s music. And especially these overtures. Auber set the standard for French opera. His music is elegant, refined, and sparkling. […]
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Hans Rott Symphony get fresh interpretation
Capriccio continues their series of Hans Rott recordings with his masterwork — Symphony No. 1. This massive work, running about 54 minutes, is this young genius at his best. Rott was just 22 when he completed his first symphony — and had just two years to live. The work shows the influence of his organ […]
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Moritz Moszkowski series continues with sweet orchestral suites
This installment of Moritz Moszkowski orchestral music features two of his three orchestral suites. Ian Hobson and the Sinfonia Varsovia deliver sympathetic performances. The strings especially seem to exude the Romantic gooeyness of Moskowski’s style. The ensemble is well-recorded. The sound has a little bit of soft focus, but all the music details can be […]
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Concurrences – music of Iceland refreshingly diverse
This release features all world premiere recordings by Icelandic composers. If there’s a common thread that gives this music an “Icelandic” quality, I didn’t hear it. What I did hear were four talented composers expressing themselves in four very different ways. The Iceland Symphony Orchestra directed by Daniel Bjarnason delivers exciting performances of some very […]