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American Classics - Rorem: Flute Concerto, Etc / Serebrier
Naxos

American Classics - Rorem: Flute Concerto, Etc / Serebrier

$19.99

Details

Composer
ROREM
Artist
Serebrier, Royal Liverpool Po, Khaner, Quint
Format
CD
Label
Naxos
Released
May 16, 2006
Catalog #
8559278
UPC
636943927823

About


This is a very easy call: marvelous music, exceptional performances, top-notch engineering--it all adds up to the strongest possible recommendation. Pilgrims is a lovely, lyrical work for string orchestra that makes an attractive disc-opener, but the two concertos are the standout items. Both are written as suites of brief movements, avoiding traditional forms. They actually resemble song-cycles more than anything else, and given Rorem's acknowledged mastery of that medium, not to mention the relationship between the concerto idea and vocal music generally, it's obvious that he is in his element.


The Flute Concerto is a world premiere. It was composed in 2002 for Jeffrey Khaner, and it's an exceptionally fine piece, beautiful to listen to and (evidently) quite grateful to play. We seem to be enjoying a bonanza of fine modern flute concertos, what with this work and the numerous pieces written for Sharon Bezaly as well. At about 30 minutes, it's a substantial piece, and Rorem's orchestration is beautifully calculated to give the soloist maximum opporunity for display, without the orchestra ever sounding excessively inhibited. Best of all, the thematic material really is memorable.

The same virtues characterize the Violin Concerto (1985), which was recorded previously by Bernstein and Gidon Kremer. Frankly, Philippe Quint plays better, with more attractive tone, and Serebrier offers a very fine account of the accompaniment. Rorem's orchestral music doesn't get the same amount of attention as his songs, but like the French music that he so admires, it allies expressive directness to a keen sense of instrumental color and superior craftsmanship. As a supplement to Serebrier's superb recording of the composer's three symphonies for Naxos, this disc is a must for collectors. [5/19/2006]
--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 13 tracks

  1. 1 Pilgrims 07:14
    Track
    1
    Title
    Pilgrims
    Duration
    07:14
    Composer
    Ned Rorem
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  2. 2 I. The Stone Tower 07:48
    Track
    2
    Title
    I. The Stone Tower
    Duration
    07:48
    Composer
    Ned Rorem
    Performer
    Jeffrey Khaner
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  3. 3 II. Leaving - Traveling - Hoping 07:57
    Track
    3
    Title
    II. Leaving - Traveling - Hoping
    Duration
    07:57
    Composer
    Ned Rorem
    Performer
    Jeffrey Khaner
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  4. 4 III. Sirens 04:43
    Track
    4
    Title
    III. Sirens
    Duration
    04:43
    Composer
    Ned Rorem
    Performer
    Jeffrey Khaner
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  5. 5 IV. Hymn 03:15
    Track
    5
    Title
    IV. Hymn
    Duration
    03:15
    Composer
    Ned Rorem
    Performer
    Jeffrey Khaner
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  6. 6 V. False Waltz 02:29
    Track
    6
    Title
    V. False Waltz
    Duration
    02:29
    Composer
    Ned Rorem
    Performer
    Jeffrey Khaner
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  7. 7 VI. Resume and Prayer 05:09
    Track
    7
    Title
    VI. Resume and Prayer
    Duration
    05:09
    Composer
    Ned Rorem
    Performer
    Jeffrey Khaner
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  8. 8 I. Twilight 03:54
    Track
    8
    Title
    I. Twilight
    Duration
    03:54
    Composer
    Ned Rorem
    Performer
    Philippe Quint
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  9. 9 II. Toccata - Chaconne 03:50
    Track
    9
    Title
    II. Toccata - Chaconne
    Duration
    03:50
    Composer
    Ned Rorem
    Performer
    Philippe Quint
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  10. 10 III. Romance Without Words 02:46
    Track
    10
    Title
    III. Romance Without Words
    Duration
    02:46
    Composer
    Ned Rorem
    Performer
    Philippe Quint
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  11. 11 IV. Midnight 06:09
    Track
    11
    Title
    IV. Midnight
    Duration
    06:09
    Composer
    Ned Rorem
    Performer
    Philippe Quint
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  12. 12 V. Toccata - Rondo 02:43
    Track
    12
    Title
    V. Toccata - Rondo
    Duration
    02:43
    Composer
    Ned Rorem
    Performer
    Philippe Quint
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier
  13. 13 VI. Dawn 04:45
    Track
    13
    Title
    VI. Dawn
    Duration
    04:45
    Composer
    Ned Rorem
    Performer
    Philippe Quint
    Ensemble
    Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
    Conductor
    José Serebrier