{"id":19829,"date":"2022-10-04T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-03T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=19829"},"modified":"2022-10-06T11:46:54","modified_gmt":"2022-10-06T09:46:54","slug":"brief-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/2022\/10\/04\/brief-notes\/","title":{"rendered":"Brief notes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Brief notes<\/h2>\n\n

This month\u2019s short selection holds everything from Langgaard to Lang Lang<\/p>\n\n

\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Beethoven <\/span><\/strong>
Piano Concerto No. 4 etc <\/span>
<\/strong>Lauma Skride (piano) et al <\/span>
MDG 9012216 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Lauma Skride gives a poetic reading of Beethoven\u2019s Fourth Piano Concerto \u2013 although the balance in the orchestra-piano dialogue in the second movement is misjudged. It\u2019s surrounded by an overture and the C minor solo piano variations, yet somehow adds up to less than the sum of its parts. (RF) \u2605\u2605\u2605 <\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Britten \u2022 Hagen \u2022 R Strauss <\/span>
Metamorphosen etc <\/span><\/strong>
Ensemble Allegria <\/span>
Lawo LWC1241 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Artificial-sounding reverb mars the authenticity of the massed string sound \u2013 and serves to mask some imprecision in the ensemble playing. Solo passages emerge nicely, though, and the combination of Britten, Strauss and the newly commissioned Strauss Fragments <\/em>from Lars Petter Hagen makes for an attractive programme. (CS) \u2605\u2605\u2605 <\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

John Corigliano <\/span><\/strong>
To Music etc <\/strong><\/span>
Boston Modern Orchestra Project et al <\/span>
BMOP BMOP\/sound 1087 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Three very different moods on display here, but each is as engaging as the last. There\u2019s great musical imagination at work in both Troubadours <\/em>and the symphony, the latter\u2019s siren-like wailing a simple but fiendishly effective device. Much to enjoy. (MB) \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Harrison<\/span><\/strong>
Sonata for Unaccompanied Violin <\/span>
<\/strong>Kate Stenberg (violin) <\/span>
Other Minds OM 1036 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n

This is an early composition by \u2018American maverick\u2019 Lou Harrison, inspired by Schoenberg\u2019s 12-tone method and written under the tutelage of Henry Cowell. Packed with interesting timbres and effects, in Stenberg\u2019s hands it has a nice sense of cohesion, despite its often awkward leaps and double stops. (CS) \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 <\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Langgaard<\/span><\/strong>
Piano Works, Vol. 4 <\/strong><\/span>
Berit Johansen Tange (piano) <\/span>
Dacapo 6.220662 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Rued Langgaard was a prolific composer of piano works, which were published in their entirety in 2018; Berit Johansen Tange is already on her fourth, excellent volume dedicated to them. The attractive Blomstervignetter <\/em>(Flower vignettes) frame the Second Piano Sonata and a clutch of miniatures. (RF) \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Loewe<\/span>
Symphonies Nos 1 & 2<\/span><\/strong>
Jenaer Philharmonien <\/span>
CPO 555 3192 <\/em>
Composed in the mid-1830s, these two symphonies by the German Carl Loewe certainly deserve their rare moment in the sun. Loewe occasionally packs a Beethovenian punch, but there is some wonderfully light writing for the woodwind too. Well worth exploring. (JP) <\/span> \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Mozart<\/span>
Chamber Music with Clarinet <\/span><\/strong>
Zemlinsky Quartet et al <\/span>
Antarctica AR034 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Brussels Philharmonic principal clarinettist Eddy Vanoosthuyse is showcased here to lovely effect, his tone genial and smooth. The Clarinet Quintet K581 is the best-known work and also the most successfully balanced: the Zemlinsky players provide a golden cushion of sound against which the clarinet shines. (CS) \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Hannah Peel <\/span><\/strong>
The Unfolding Para<\/strong><\/span>
Orchestra et al <\/span>
Real World CDRW241 <\/em> Peel\u2019s eight-part work is a sonic adventure, where familiar orchestral sounds meet digital, vocal and other-wordly textures. It\u2019s a great achievement for Charles Hazlewood\u2019s ParaOrchestra and a thrilling exploration of what\u2019s possible when sounds and music meet. (MB) \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Schubert<\/span> <\/strong>
Unfinished & Great Symphonies <\/strong><\/span>
B\u2019Rock Orchestra\/Ren\u00e9 Jacobs <\/span>
Pentatone PTC 5186 894 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Ren\u00e9 Jacobs follows through a theory that the \u2018Unfinished\u2019 Symphony was a musical parallel to an autobiographical text, Mein Traum, <\/em>with an actor reading the text here. It\u2019s eminently skippable. If the playing has an appealing tang and edge to it, the interpretations don\u2019t wholly convince. (RF) \u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Mark Springer<\/span><\/strong>
Matter Tana Quartet et al <\/strong><\/span>
The Exit Label EXIT019 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n

There\u2019s a great storytelling quality to be found in this pair of works, both of which find their roots in the natural world. Springer\u2019s Crimson River <\/em>string quartet is the lyrical six-movement highlight here, in an earthy performance by Tana Quartet. (MB) \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Vaughan Williams<\/span><\/strong>
Mass in G minor etc <\/strong><\/span>
Vokalensemblen Sundbyberg <\/span>
Swedish Society Discofil SCD1186 <\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n\n

A terrific performance of Vaughan Williams\u2019s Mass strikes the ideal balance between contemplation and raw passion. Choral fans may well enjoy exploring the Missa Brevis by Swedish composer Staffan Isb\u00e4ck too. (JP) <\/span> \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Bohemian Rhapsodies <\/span><\/strong>
Piano Trios by Smetana and Dvo\u0159\u00e1k <\/strong><\/span>
Oliver Schnyder Trio <\/span>
Prospero PROSP0033 <\/em> <\/span><\/p>\n\n

I am increasingly impressed by Prospero\u2019s approach to its releases. Here is another polished product, with great artwork, colourful sleeve notes and top-notch recording quality. The trio seemingly feel every note in Smetana\u2019s grief-fulled G minor work, while the Dvo\u0159\u00e1k really pops. (MB) \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Celestial Dawn <\/span><\/strong>
Works by Roxanna Panufnik, Wayne Marshall et al <\/strong><\/span>
Pembroke College Girls\u2019 Choir <\/span>
Signum Classics SIGCD714 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n

This lovely collection showcases the well-trained and fresh sound of the fouryear-old Pembroke College Girls\u2019 Choir. Highlights in an interestingly mixed programme include Wayne Marshall\u2019s Magnificat and Nunc Dimmitis and the premiere of Kristina Arakelyan\u2019s You Know Me. <\/em>(RF) \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Debussy, couleur originale <\/span><\/strong>
Works by Debussy, Bax, Takemitsu et al <\/strong><\/span>
Trio Zerline <\/span>
Paraty 8221121 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Using period instruments, the members of Trio Zerline offer ethereal performances of works for flute, viola and harp. Estelle Gourinchas\u2019s gut-stringed viola, often gauzy and indistinct, fares least well in the recorded mix \u2013 while Alice Szymanski\u2019s Louis Lot flute of 1881 is always enchanting, flowing like water. (CS) <\/span>\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

The Disney Book <\/strong>
<\/span>Songs from Disney films (arr. piano) <\/strong><\/span>
Lang Lang (piano) <\/span>
DG 485 7421 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n

What could so easily have turned into a hotel lobby-style piano amble in fact does a lot better than that. There\u2019s a broad range of Disney from across the ages plus a nice variety of pace, and one or two of the arrangements are engagingly clever. Go on, try it. (JP) \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Exploring Spirit <\/span><\/strong>
Works by Maxwell Davies, Alan Gibbs et al <\/strong><\/span>
Rupert Marshall-Luck (violin), Joseph Spooner (cello) <\/span>
EM Records EMRCD076 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n

The notes for this album of variations and elaborations describe a \u2018vividness and invigoration\u2019 with which the original thematic material is transformed. Though the playing is clean and persuasive, the works tend to meander a little through unsettling atonal landscapes. (CS) \u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

F\u00eate du Soleil <\/span><\/strong>
Piano works by Alb\u00e9niz, Ravel, Respighi and R Schumann <\/strong><\/span>
Yi Lin Jiang (Piano) <\/span>
Anclef 20220913 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n

The album\u2019s title is aptly chosen, as this is largely a bright-and-breezy listen (though with one or two shadier moments). Yi Lin Jiang approaches his sunny repertoire with punchy ebullience rather than a light skip in the step, but never wearisomely so. (JP) \u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Moonstrike <\/span><\/strong>
Works by Pierre Jalbert, Jennifer Higdon et al <\/span><\/strong>
Apollo Chamber Players <\/span>
Azica Records ACD-71352 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n

This is a really engaging selection of new pieces, not least of all Chickasaw composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha\u2019 Tate\u2019s title work, narrated by Chickasaw astronaut John Herrington. The ensemble go at this, and each of the works, with delightful vigour and flair. (MB) \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Mother Sister Daughter <\/span><\/strong>
Sacred Works by Anon, Brumel, Joanna Marsh et al <\/strong><\/span>
Musica Secreta <\/span>
Lucky Music LCKY001 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n

The natural ease with which Musica Secreta sings this music belies the huge amount of musicological research and effort that has gone into creating this programme, spearheaded by Laurie Stras, which spotlights music by or connected to Renaissance women. (RF) \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Serenata <\/span><\/strong>
Works by Gomes, Braga, Nepomuceno and Miguez <\/strong><\/span>
English Chamber Orchestra <\/span>
Naxos 8.574405 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n

The delightful Sonata for Strings by Carlos Gomes (1836-96) that opens the disc may remind some of, say, Tchaikovsky\u2019s Souvenir de Florence <\/em>or Mendelssohn in one of his livelier moods. The good humour continues thereafter in this enjoyable snapshot of 19th-century Brazilian chamber orchestra music, all seemingly played with relish by the ECO. (JP) \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605 <\/span><\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Reviewers:<\/em> Michael Beek (MB<\/strong>), <\/em>Rebecca Franks (RF<\/strong>), Jeremy Pound (JP<\/strong>), Charlotte Smith (CS<\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Brief notes This month\u2019s short selection holds everything from Langgaard to Lang Lang Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 etc Lauma Skride (piano) et al MDG 9012216 Lauma Skride gives a poetic reading of Beethoven\u2019s Fourth Piano Concerto \u2013 although the balance in the orchestra-piano dialogue in the second movement is misjudged. It\u2019s surrounded by an […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":19806,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","purple_page_number":"108","purple_custom_meta_purple_page_number":"108","purple_seq_number":"1","purple_custom_meta_purple_seq_number":"1","purple_source_article":"article_108-1.xml","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_article":"article_108-1.xml","purple_source_issue":"November-2022","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_issue":"November-2022","purple_external_id":"November-2022-108-1","purple_custom_meta_purple_external_id":"November-2022-108-1","purple_issue_code":"|0000086188||","purple_custom_meta_purple_issue_code":"|0000086188||","purple_android_product":"com.im.bbcmusic.380","purple_custom_meta_purple_android_product":"com.im.bbcmusic.380","purple_ios_product":"com.im.bbcmusic.380","purple_custom_meta_purple_ios_product":"com.im.bbcmusic.380","purple_web_product":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_web_product":"","purple_publication_id":"5b9287a1-9911-4f59-a9d7-30a805560f3d","purple_migrated":"","kt_blocks_editor_width":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"2022-10-06T09:33:40Z","apple_news_article-theme":"","apple_news_api_id":"8698a395-d99c-4cd0-9da2-25de189e653d","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2022-10-06T09:47:06Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/AhpijldmcTNCdoiXeGJ5lPQ","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":true,"apple_news_is_preview":true,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_article_theme":"","apple_news_sections":"[]"},"categories":[19],"tags":[13],"apple_news_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/a56e9314-4b1c-485c-b9dc-acf621b499ec.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"8","apple_news_title":""},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/a56e9314-4b1c-485c-b9dc-acf621b499ec.jpg",188,188,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/a56e9314-4b1c-485c-b9dc-acf621b499ec-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/a56e9314-4b1c-485c-b9dc-acf621b499ec.jpg",188,188,false],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/a56e9314-4b1c-485c-b9dc-acf621b499ec.jpg",188,188,false],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/a56e9314-4b1c-485c-b9dc-acf621b499ec.jpg",188,188,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/a56e9314-4b1c-485c-b9dc-acf621b499ec.jpg",188,188,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2022\/09\/a56e9314-4b1c-485c-b9dc-acf621b499ec.jpg",188,188,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Brief notes This month\u2019s short selection holds everything from Langgaard to Lang Lang Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 etc Lauma Skride (piano) et al MDG 9012216 Lauma Skride gives a poetic reading of Beethoven\u2019s Fourth Piano Concerto \u2013 although the balance in the orchestra-piano dialogue in the second movement is misjudged. It\u2019s surrounded by an…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19829"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19829"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19829\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20353,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19829\/revisions\/20353"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19806"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19829"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19829"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19829"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}