<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Ginastera Harp Concerto / Gershlin Symphonies / Dutilleux orch music /Alpine Symphony

GINASTERA: Harp Concerto, Op. 25. Pampeana No. 1, Op. 16. Sonata for Guitar, Op. 46. Danzas Argentinas, Op. 2.
Yolanda Kondonassis, harp. Gil Shaham, violin. Orli Shaham, piano. Jason Vieaus, guitar.
OBERLIUN MUSIC CD OC 1601 TT: 55::10
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GERNSHEIM: Symmphony No. 2 in E Flat Op. 46. Symphony No. 4 in B Flat, Op. 62.
Mainz Philharmonic State Orch/Heermann Bäumer, cond.
CPO 777 848 TT: 60:42
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STRAUSS: Ein Alpensinfonie, Op. 64
GothenUorg Symphony Orch/Kent Nagano, cond.
FARAO CD B 108091 TT: 51:03
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DUTILLEUX: Sue le meme accord . Les citations (Diptych for Oboe, Harpsichord, Bass and Percussion). Mystere de l'instant. Tio Timbres, espace, mouvement
Augustin Hade lich,violin. Mary Luynch, oboe. Mahan Esfahani, harpsichord Jordan Anderson, bass. Michael A. Werner, percussion. Chester Englander, cimbalon. Seattle Symphonhy Orch/ Ludovic Morlot, cond.
SEATTLE SYMPHONY CD SSM1012 TT: 60:23

This Oberlin CD is intended as a birthday tribute to Argentinian composer Alberto Ginastera ( 1916 - 2016), and is a terrific tribute to this amazing composer. He did not write very much music, and here we have several of hius major works. The Harp Concerto co,posed in 1956 was revised in 1968, a highly rhythmic work with a haunting middle movement. An elaborate cadenza begins the finale, which comes to a rousing conclusion. It is brilliantoy played by Yolanda Kondonassis, internationally famous harpist, with splendiud support from the first-class Oberliun Orchestra directed by Raphael Jimébez, Violinist Gil Shaham is in virtuoso form for Pampeana No 1 accompanied by his sister Oli, who later plays the three Argentinian Dances. To complete the .00000album, one of Ginaster's best-known works, the Guitar Sonata, played by Jason Vieaux. This is an outstanding issue in every way.

CPO continues to explore lesser-known repertory with this disk, their second, devoted to music of German composer Friedrich Gernsheim (1839-1916). This site praised their first issue containing Symphonies 1 and 3 (REVIEW). Check that review for more details about Gersheim. Now we have the composer's other two symphonies, again played by the excellent Mainz Philharmonic led by Hermann Bäumer. Both have four movements each with a lively scherzo, and the rich orchestration suggests Brahms, who was a friend of Gersheim. These are important works by a contemporary of Brahms, and we are fortunate to be able to experience them. Excellent audio, as usual from this label.

This new recording of An Alpine Symphony seems to be superfluous. Already there are dozens of recordings of Strauss's magnificent portrayal of the Alps; many have been mentioned on this site. Kent Nagano already has an admirable video of this work with the Berlin Symphony in stunning surround sound (REVIEW). . I cannot imagine anyone would prefer this new CD when the cost is about the same. And don't forget the near-definitive Dresden video with Christian Thielemann, which also includes Strauss songs with soprano Anna Harteros (REVIEW).

This latest Seattle Symphony CD showcases first-desk players of the orchestra in a program of lesser-known works of Henri Dutileux. Violinist Augustin Hadelich is featured in the nocturneSue le meme accord. Oboist Mary Lynch, harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani, and percussionist Michael A. Werner are featured in the Diptych Les citations. Chester Englander is cimbalom soloist in Mystère de l'enfant, and †he program ends with one of the composer's best-known works Timbres, espace, ,nouvement ement (au "La nuit etoiliée"). Evocative music not heard often in the concert hall, in concert performances 2015 - 2016 in Seattle's Benaroya Hall. Excellent audio that beautifully captures the music's shimmering beauty..

R.E.B. (October 2016)