You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
deliver sweetness where dessert<br />
might fail. As for passion, you will<br />
need to supply your own.<br />
Robert Tomas<br />
is a truly moving example of a fine<br />
orchestra's dedication to their conductor<br />
and rheir arr.<br />
Colin Savage<br />
I<br />
CHAN DOS<br />
rg.1 f<br />
CLASSICS<br />
The second, eagerly awaited volume<br />
of the masses by<br />
J.N. HUMMEL (1778-1837)<br />
Mahler Symphony No.9<br />
Royal Concertgebouw<br />
Orchestra; Riccardo Chially<br />
Decca 475 6191<br />
My first encoumt:r with compact<br />
disc technology was a rt:cording of<br />
Mahler's Nimh Symphony. The<br />
soft. renrative opening measures,<br />
unfolding it seemt:d from nowhere,<br />
were a revelarion, and the power.<br />
volume, and lack of distortion in<br />
Mahler's huge climaxes were<br />
overwhelming. I sat transfixed for<br />
an hour and a half, basking in the<br />
glory and par hos of rhis music.<br />
Mahlt:r was at a creative peak<br />
in 1909 when he completed this<br />
huge symphonic work within a single<br />
year. He explored new formal<br />
ground in rhe outer movemems -<br />
the opening Andante is a vast tlucruacion<br />
between a long lyrical<br />
theme in a major tonality and interruptions<br />
in minor mode which<br />
lead to a variety of climaxes, but<br />
ultimarely no resolution - we are<br />
left tloaring. The Landlers and<br />
waltzes of the 2nd movemenc are<br />
marked "Somewhac clumsy and<br />
very crude" and the Concengebouw<br />
achieves just the right balance<br />
of elephantine charm to carry<br />
ir off. The Rondo-Burleske 3rd<br />
movement definitely moves past<br />
irony into the caustic sound realm<br />
of Shostakovich, based on a frenzy<br />
of unpredictable and dissonant<br />
counterpoint, including some spectacular<br />
clarinet playing. The final<br />
Adagio seeks to resolve rhe<br />
weighty questions posed in the lsc<br />
movemenc, but after much harmonic<br />
rumination on a melody based on<br />
the simplesr of turns, Mahler marks<br />
the coda<br />
"ersterbend" (dying<br />
away), and the symphony expires.<br />
In the pasr 15 years under Chailly,<br />
rhe Concengebouw Orchestra<br />
has become known for wonderful<br />
interpretations of lace romantic and<br />
rwentieth century repertoire. This<br />
new recording, Chailly's lasr as<br />
principal conductor, takes the level<br />
or involvement even higher and<br />
Kremerlan d<br />
Kremerata Baltica -<br />
Gidon Kremer<br />
Deutsche Grammophon 00289<br />
4748012<br />
There are only two 1ypes of lisreners<br />
when it comes to Gidon Kremer:<br />
his fans and his fans. I count<br />
myself among che latter. One of the<br />
most interesring. accomplished and<br />
just plain brilliant violin players of<br />
our rimes. Kremer has done it all<br />
- solo recordings. rrios. quartets.<br />
qu imets and larger ensembles, concertos<br />
with orchestra and a staggering<br />
breadth or reperioire. He is<br />
lO modern violin playing what Yo<br />
Yo Ma is to cello and Martha Argerich<br />
co piano. Through the years,<br />
his artistic integrity triumphed over<br />
market demands and Kremer<br />
champions Schninke and Gubaidulina<br />
over Brahms and the rest of<br />
the standard reperroire. Still, he<br />
plays Schubert better than many<br />
and is a true virtuoso. as documented<br />
on "Kremerland ft.<br />
The latesr recording with his<br />
Kremerata Baltica. an ensemble sec<br />
up as his own 50th birthday present<br />
and comprising exclusively musicians<br />
from the Baltic srates, is another<br />
tribute to the Soviet music -<br />
Soviet, because the composers<br />
come not only from Russia. but<br />
also from what used to be the Soviet<br />
Union - Latvia, Georgia,<br />
Moldova. The only nod <strong>10</strong> the West<br />
is a riveting arrangement of Liszt<br />
by Sergiei Dreznin.<br />
There is a reason why the<br />
world's greates1 conducwrs (Rattle,<br />
Eschenbach, Temirkanov, Nagano)<br />
wam to work with Kremerata<br />
Baltica - they are simply one<br />
of the best contemporary chamber<br />
orchestras on the planet. Let them<br />
and their captain, Gidon Kremer,<br />
rake you for an exotic tour of Kremerland<br />
you'll never forger.<br />
Roberl. Tomas<br />
Mass No. 2, Op. 80 in E flat major<br />
Te Deum for chorus, orchestra and organ<br />
Quod in orbe, Op. 88<br />
SUSAN GRITTON soprano • ANN MURRAY mezzo-soprano<br />
JAMES GILCHRIST tenor • STEPHEN VARCOE baritone<br />
COLLEGIUM MUSICUM 90 • RICHARD HICKOX<br />
Rarely recorded works by<br />
ANTONIO VIVALDI C1678-174H<br />
In furore justissimae irae<br />
laudate pueri, Dominum<br />
Concerto a quattro "Madrigalesco"<br />
Suonata e Sinfonia al Santo Sepolcro<br />
Concerto a quattro, Op. 12 No. 3<br />
CATHERINE BOTT soprano<br />
THE PURCELL QUARTET<br />
STEPHEN PRESTON flute • JANE ROGERS viola<br />
CECELIA BRUGGEMEYER double-bass<br />
AVAILABLE AT ALL GOOD CLASSICAL RECORD STORES<br />
EMAIL info@sricanada.com<br />
TO BE DIRECTED TO A STORE NEAR YOU<br />
DEC£MBER 1 <strong>2004</strong> . FEBKllAKY 7 2005<br />
WWW.THEWHOtENOH.COM<br />
81
Change language