Fuchs: An American Place; Out of the Dark / Falletta, London Symphony Orchestra
Details
- Composer
- FUCHS
- Artist
- Stacy/Lso/Falletta
- Format
- CD
- Label
- Naxos
- Released
- Aug 16, 2005
- Catalog #
- 8559224
- UPC
- 636943922422
About
REVIEW:
Kenneth Fuchs' An American Place is a bright, big-hearted, neo-romantic work in the style of John Adams' Harmonielehre. Adams' finale is an unmistakable influence as both works open with motor rhythms chugging along in the strings while woodwinds and high percussion chirp and tingle above as the music builds to a spirit-lifting sunrise. Fuchs pretty much goes his own way from there as the piece travels through a series of engaging episodes--some featuring wonderful brass writing--and closes in a similar atmosphere to its opening. Eventide is a concerto for English horn, harp, percussion, and strings inspired by Negro spirituals such as "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "Mary Had a Baby", though Fuchs does not quote them directly, at least not in a manner that's easily recognizable. The work is reminiscent of the pastoral mood-music of Vaughan Williams, though the English horn writing occasionally brings to mind jazz saxophonist Kenny G--a tribute perhaps to the free spirited, highly virtuosic playing of soloist Thomas Stacy.
The pleasantries end with Out of the Dark, which is a set of three pieces based on works by expressionist painter Helen Frankenthaler. Heart of November begins in thorny string paroxysms, while Out of the Dark moves somewhat away from the gnarly harmonies of the previous piece. Summer Banner gradually reintroduces consonance, and the work ends in a blissful, subdued atmosphere (with fine solo work by hornist Timothy Jones). Jo Ann Falletta leads first-rate performances with the London Symphony Orchestra, captured in excellent sound--another fine addition to Naxos' American Classics series.
--ClassicsToday.com (Victor Carr Jr.)
Tracklist 5 tracks
-
1 An American Place 18:43
- Track
- 1
- Title
- An American Place
- Duration
- 18:43
- Composer
- Kenneth Fuchs
- Ensemble
- London Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- JoAnn Falletta
-
2 Eventide 21:23
- Track
- 2
- Title
- Eventide
- Duration
- 21:23
- Composer
- Kenneth Fuchs
- Performer
- Thomas Stacy
- Ensemble
- London Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- JoAnn Falletta
-
3 I. Heart of November 05:35
- Track
- 3
- Title
- I. Heart of November
- Duration
- 05:35
- Composer
- Kenneth Fuchs
- Performer
- Timothy Jones
- Ensemble
- London Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- JoAnn Falletta
-
4 II. Out of the Dark 03:44
- Track
- 4
- Title
- II. Out of the Dark
- Duration
- 03:44
- Composer
- Kenneth Fuchs
- Performer
- Timothy Jones
- Ensemble
- London Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- JoAnn Falletta
-
5 III. Summer Banner 05:49
- Track
- 5
- Title
- III. Summer Banner
- Duration
- 05:49
- Composer
- Kenneth Fuchs
- Performer
- Timothy Jones
- Ensemble
- London Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- JoAnn Falletta