October 2008
William Perrys Jamestown Concerto was written in 2007 for the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, VA, in 1607. It is programmatic, very tuneful, and adroitly scored, sounding more than a little bit like movie music. That is not meant as a slam, just an observation. William Schumans A Song of Orpheus was written for the famous cellist Leonard Rose, and this is the work's first recording since Rose taped it back in the early 1960s. The Naxos producers have had the brilliant idea to preface it with an eloquent reading of Shakespeares "Orpheus with his lute" by the distinguished actor Jane Alexander. Virgil Thomsons Concerto was premiered in 1950 by Paul Olefsky. It is Thomson at his melodic best, the second movement based on a hymn, one of the composers favorite devices. All three works are lyrical, and soloist Yehuda Hanani catches the singing quality of the beautiful musical phrases offered in each piece. The orchestra sounds much improved from previous recordings I have heard by it, and the recorded sound is rich, warm, and full without missing any detail. GO BACK TO: |