FAGERLUND: Drifts for Orchestra. Stonework for Orchestra. Transit, Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra.
Ismo Eskelinen, guitar. Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestrra / Hannu Lintu, cond.
BIS SACD 2295 TT: 50:00
BUY NOW FROMARKIVUSIC

MOZART-BACH: Preludes and Fugues, K. 404a. MOZART: Divertimento in E flat, K. 563
Jonathon Crow,, violin. Douglas McNabney, viola. Matt Haimovitz, dello.
PENTATONE SACD 4175 714 TT: 73:31
BUY NOW FROM ARKIVMUSIC

BERNSTEIN: Candide Overture. Symphonic Dances from West Side Story. Three Dance Variations from Fancy Free. Symphonic Suite from On the Waterfront. Three Dance Episodes from On the Town.
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra / Christian Lindberg, cond.
BIS SACD 2278 TT: 62:30
BUY NOW FROM ARKIVMUSIC

Several years ago this site praised a BIS SACD of a remarkable violin concerto by a major young Finnish composer, Sebastian Fagerlund. For more information about him, please check that REVIEW. Now we have another SACD devoted to him featuring three rather recent works: Drifts (2017), Stonework (2015) and a guitar concerto called Transit (2013). The first two are part of a trilogy, which is scheduled to be completed and premiered this year. Program notes provide detailed information about the music. The 22-minute guitar concerto is fascinating, in six connected movements with imaginative writing for the soloist accompanied by an often delicate lightly percussive orchestra. It ends mysteriously and soft†ly. This is a major addition to the guitar library, a welcome modern change from what we usually hear. Performance throughout are superb, and the often massive orchestral sounds are vividly captured by BIS engineers in this recording made 2016-2017 in Helsinki's Music Center. Be sure to investigate this important issue!

Pentatone, in their Oxingale Series, has a new release featuring three outsterling musicians: Jonathan Crow, violin, Douglas McNabney, viola, and cellist Matt Haimowitz. We have music of Mozart: Prelude and Five Fugues after Bach, K. 404a, and the full-scale Divertimento in E flat, K. 563. Elegant performances as you would expect. This is not a new recording; it was made September5 - 8, 2005 in Quebec's Eglise Saint-Augustin. Screen readout states this is a 5.0 multi-channel recording, but there is little hall presence. All main speakers seem to have the same information. placing the listener in the middle of the ensemble.

Swedish trombone virtuoso Christian Lindberg has often been praised on this site. His conducting career has blossomed over the last decade and he has appeared u on the podium with numerous orchestras. This brilliant Chandos SACD features him as conductor of the splendid Royal Liverpool Philharmonic in a group of Bernstein favorites. Terrific performances with virtuoso playing by the orchestra, and their shout†s of Mambo in the West Side Story suite are particularly enthusiastic. The recording was made August 2016 om tje prcjestra's concert hall. Excellent audio, mostly stereo with only ambient sound from rear speakers. A fine release!

R.E.B. (May (2018)

(NEXT SURROUND SOUND REVIEW)