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PRATTÉ: Grand Concert in G minor for Harp and Orchestra. Theme and
Variations on a Swedish Folk Tune. Souvenir de Norvege: Fra Fjelle og
Dale MEMENTO MORI BEETHOVEN: Quartet No. 1 in F, Op. 18 No. 1. Quartet No. 2 in G, Op.
18 No 2. Quartet No. 3 in D, Op. 18 No. 3. BIS here offers premiere recordings of music by Swedish composer Anton Edvard Pratté (1796 -1875). Although recognized at the time as a harpist and composer, his music was totally forgotten until Delphine Constantin-PReznik, who now is principal harp with the Norrköping Symphony orchestra, "discovered" him. The major work is Grand Concert which sometimes is called Concerto appassionato. It is perhaps the longest harp concerto ever composed (42:58).There are three movements, the first beginning with a lengthy (3:35) orchestral introduction. The second is a romanza, the third a lively play on Swedish folk tunes. Delightful listening, played to perfection by Constantin-PReznik. We also have two other works that never were published. Unusual repertory here, beautifully recorded August 2020 in Sweden's Louis de Geer Concert Hall. Memento Mori is a collection of music by early composers relating to loss and laments "familiar to us all: fragility and hope, transience of life, solace of memory and the depths of farewell." This sober music is described in detail in program notes. The major work is Sinfonia Funebre by Pietro Locatelli (not the better known Arcangelo), a five-movement brief work written to commemorate the death of an an unknown lady. These are reverent superb and sensitive performances by the Klingeug ensemble. The recording was made July 2020 in Austria's Bernadisaal in Stams Abbey, and the period performances have been perfectly captured by the BIS engineers. An usual SACD, with music that will be new to most listeners. R.E.B. (October 2021) |