Florent Schmitt extracted two orchestral suites from his ballet “Antoine et Cléopâtre.” Stylistically, the score bears a strong resemblance to Ravel’s “Daphnis et Chloé” (also from a ballet). The touches of orientalism and sometimes gooey harmonies remind me more of Richard Strauss’ “Salome.” Sakari Oramo and the BBC Symphony seem to relish the rich texture […]
SACD
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Larsson Symphony No. 3 – Music that should be heard more often
This release completes Andrew Manze’s traversal of Lars-Erik Larsson symphonies — although I hope he doesn’t stop there. Larsson was a talented composer who crafted his own language out of various 20th Century trends. It’s a voice that needs to be heard more often. The centerpiece of this release is Larsson’s 1944 Symphony No. 3 […]
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Kalevi Aho Concertos – Contemporary Masterworks from Finland
Finnish composer Kalevi Aho is best known for his large-scale works. This release has two excellent examples: the Tympani Concerto, and the Piano Concerto No. 1. The Turku Philharmonic Orchestra commissioned the Tympani Concerto for its timpanist, Ari-Pekka Mäenpää. Speaking as a percussionist, I think it’s a masterwork. Aho worked with Mäenpää to create a […]
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In dulci Jubilo – Music for the Christmas Season by Buxtehude and Friends
I’ve been burnt out on Christmas music for some time — even classical Christmas music. But In Dulci Jubilo promised something fresh — seasonal music from Dieterich Buxtehude and his colleagues. And it was recorded by Paul Hillier and the Theater of Voices. I wasn’t disappointed. In Dulci Jubilo is a time capsule of Christmas […]
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Camilla de Falleiro Gives Bravura Performances of Vivaldi Cantatas
Vivaldi holds nothing back in this chamber cantatas for soprano and basso continuo. The works were meant to show off the abilities of the soloist. Soprano Camilla de Falleiro is more than up to the challenges. And there are many in these cantatas. The scores are full of wide leaps, sustained tones in the high […]
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Tasmin Little & Roxanna Panufnik – Four World Seasons
It’s an interesting program, coupling Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” with Roxanna Panufnik’s modern take on the same subject. And it’s one that works very well. The connective thread is the talent of violinist Tasmin Little. Little’s performance of the “Four Seasons” with the BBC Symphony Orchestra is a spirited one. Her solo work is beautifully crafted […]
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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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December Celebration: New Carols by Seven American Composers
Now here’s a good idea. If you’re like me and are sick to death of hearing the same old holiday “classics” year after year, then you’ll welcome this new release from Pentatone. December Celebration presents a cohesive program of fresh-sounding, accessible carols by living American composers. And while the musical language might lean a little […]