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Cedille

Blackwood: Symphonies 5 & 1 / Munch, Depreist

$19.99

Details

Composer
BLACKWOOD, EASLEY
Artist
Depriest, Chicago So, Munch, Boston So
Format
CD
Label
Cedille
Released
Jan 01, 1993
Catalog #
CDR 016
UPC
735131901628

About

These two fine symphonies belong in the collection of anyone who enjoys contemporary music of a more traditional or conservative bent. Not that they are easy listening: Symphony No. 1, which has a much higher level of dissonance than No. 5, brings to mind Honegger's thornier inspirations; but like that composer, Blackwood does not sacrifice expressiveness as a result. His melodies (and there are quite a few here) are all characterful and cover a wide range of emotion. The humorous opening of the scherzo provides one example. Best of all, the piece gets a scorcher of a performance from Charles Munch and the BSO in a vintage Living Stereo recording licensed from RCA, sounding very good here, if a touch congested in loud passages. The climax at the end of the first movement is positively apocalyptic!


The Fifth Symphony, according to the composer, was written in an idiom that recalls "modernized Sibelius"--and that description is exactly right. You'll find the same evocative string textures, writing for winds in thirds, and so forth, but all are presented in a more advanced (but by no means harsh) harmonic idiom. It's a lovely, poetic work, and this 1993 live performance does it justice. If the First deserves respect, you may well find yourself feeling a good bit of affection for this beautifully-crafted later piece. The audience is well-behaved, and the sonics are very natural, warm, and clear. An excellent introduction to a very talented and worthy composer/pianist (try Blackwood's excellent Ives "Concord" Sonata for another facet of his musical personality), not to mention an important addition to the Munch/BSO discography.
--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 7 tracks

  1. 1 I. Allegro inquieto 08:04
    Track
    1
    Title
    I. Allegro inquieto
    Duration
    08:04
    Composer
    Easley Blackwood
    Ensemble
    Chicago Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    James DePreist
  2. 2 II. Molto adagio 10:58
    Track
    2
    Title
    II. Molto adagio
    Duration
    10:58
    Composer
    Easley Blackwood
    Ensemble
    Chicago Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    James DePreist
  3. 3 III. Allegro vivo 07:01
    Track
    3
    Title
    III. Allegro vivo
    Duration
    07:01
    Composer
    Easley Blackwood
    Ensemble
    Chicago Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    James DePreist
  4. 4 I. Andante maestoso: Non troppo allegro ma con spirito 09:05
    Track
    4
    Title
    I. Andante maestoso: Non troppo allegro ma con spirito
    Duration
    09:05
    Composer
    Easley Blackwood
    Ensemble
    Boston Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Munch
  5. 5 II. Andante comodo 05:51
    Track
    5
    Title
    II. Andante comodo
    Duration
    05:51
    Composer
    Easley Blackwood
    Ensemble
    Boston Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Munch
  6. 6 III. Allegretto grotesco 05:22
    Track
    6
    Title
    III. Allegretto grotesco
    Duration
    05:22
    Composer
    Easley Blackwood
    Ensemble
    Boston Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Munch
  7. 7 IV. Andante sostenuto 10:53
    Track
    7
    Title
    IV. Andante sostenuto
    Duration
    10:53
    Composer
    Easley Blackwood
    Ensemble
    Boston Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Charles Munch