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While clearly a matter of taste, I think for most the Schreker piece with it's lush late Romantic themes, is apt to be the only repeat listen. The Schoenberg is interesting if not particularly inspiring and the Enescu is, well, Enescu. All three are well played by the Gateway Chamber Orchestra.
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Euell Neverno said:
The Schoenberg is interesting if not particularly inspiring and the Enescu is, well, Enescu. All three are well played by the Gateway Chamber Orchestra.
The Enescu Chamber Symphony is considered to be one of his most sophisticated compositions -- almost overly generous with thematic material ranging from Romanian folk melodies to Debussian chromatic passages. A subtle work that bears repeated listening, as does the Schönberg Op. 9.
More about Enescu's compositions here:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2005/May05/Enescu_part1.htm
The three pieces on this disc were superbly recorded by Soundmirror. There are no technical specifications listed in the liner notes or on the Summit or Sounmirror websites, but I would not be surprised to learn that the sessions were recorded in DSD.
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undertone said:
The Enescu Chamber Symphony is considered to be one of his most sophisticated compositions -- almost overly generous with thematic material ranging from Romanian folk melodies to Debussian chromatic passages. A subtle work that bears repeated listening, as does the Schönberg Op. 9.
More about Enescu's compositions here:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2005/May05/Enescu_part1.htm
The three pieces on this disc were superbly recorded by Soundmirror. There are no technical specifications listed in the liner notes or on the Summit or Sounmirror websites, but I would not be surprised to learn that the sessions were recorded in DSD.
Yes, Schoenberg has his devotees and the piece is not 12-tone. As for the "overly generous" thematic material of the Enescu,there are few, if any, recordings, which should suggest that this is niche material for those few so inclined.
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Post by wehecht July 17, 2012 (4 of 6)
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Euell Neverno said:
As for the "overly generous" thematic material of the Enescu,there are few, if any, recordings, which should suggest that this is niche material for those few so inclined.
Well, 50-60 years ago Rachmaninov was said by our musical elites to be a hack and people who liked his music were considered decidedly lowbrow. Such is sometimes the fortune of "popular" composers. That Enescu is known primarily by a small number of "pops concert" pieces is not his fault, but the "industry's". Listen to Enescu: Three Piano Suites - Luiza Borac and Enescu: Two Piano Sonatas - Luiza Borac for another view. I'm not trying to sell the Chamber Symphony as a great masterpiece, but I think it's quite enjoyable. In fact this whole splendidly recorded disc is a real pleasure.
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wehecht said:
Well, 50-60 years ago Rachmaninov was said by our musical elites to be a hack and people who liked his music were considered decidedly lowbrow. Such is sometimes the fortune of "popular" composers. That Enescu is known primarily by a small number of "pops concert" pieces is not his fault, but the "industry's". Listen to Enescu: Three Piano Suites - Luiza Borac and Enescu: Two Piano Sonatas - Luiza Borac for another view. I'm not trying to sell the Chamber Symphony as a great masterpiece, but I think it's quite enjoyable. In fact this whole splendidly recorded disc is a real pleasure.
I'm not panning the album at all and, as I originally stated, tastes differ. If you enjoyed the Enescu, more power to you. I didn't hate it, but the description as full of folk tunes -- well, Bartok does this better than Enescu -- or perhaps Romanian folk tunes are a bit strange to Western ears. In any case, I merely stated the obvious that many more people are apt to enjoy and return to the Schreker. The Enescu is clearly a somewhat arcane byway of early 20th century music, such that I would be greatly surprised if public radio stations start playing the piece.
As for the commentary on Rachmaninov, which, I believe, refers to an article in the Grove, the reverse logic is applicable. There the public has vetoed the critic's assessment.
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Post by BABoston August 30, 2012 (6 of 6)
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I have to see if we have any session photos. Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN has a very fine concert hall in which we get to make these recordings. (It's also where we recorded Peter Takacs's Beethoven Piano Sonata SACD set.) This disc was recorded over three separate periods, immediately after each piece was played in concert.
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