Naxos
Branco: Symphony No 1, Scherzo Fantastique, Etc / Cassuto
$13.99
Details
- Composer
- FREITAS BRANCO, LUIS DE
- Artist
- Cassuto, Rte National So
- Format
- CD
- Label
- Naxos
- Released
- Jul 29, 2008
- Catalog #
- 8570765
- UPC
- 747313076574
About
This first volume in a projected series of Freitas Branco orchestral works nicely outlines his three principal styles. First, in the symphony, there is the influence of Franck and his school. This is so pronounced, particularly in the finale, that the result risks caricature. There is no need to describe the music in any further detail: if you love Franck's Symphony in D minor, then you'll also enjoy this work. It's a very, very good copy, closer to its model in sound and structure than many of the works of Franck's immediate contemporaries (Chausson, for example, or Dukas). If you forget the fact that the symphony was composed in 1924, you certainly would think you are hearing a French piece from the 1890s.
The Scherzo fantasque also betrays a French influence, this time of the impressionists, or perhaps Dukas, in its piquant use of a smallish orchestra with plenty of colorful percussion. Suite Alentejana No. 1 reveals Freitas Branco as an ethnic nationalist, recalling Falla, particularly in the ebullient concluding Fandango. It's a lovely work--but then all of this music is certainly worth getting to know, especially when the performances are this sympathetic and well recorded. Álvaro Cassuto is of course familiar to collectors from his series of orchestral works by Joly Braga Santos (one that I hope is ongoing--there's still come good stuff there). He's not only an authority on the Portuguese school, but he projects his knowledge of the composers and their various idioms with unfailing enthusiasm and stylishness, making this latest release an easy recommendation.
--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com
The Scherzo fantasque also betrays a French influence, this time of the impressionists, or perhaps Dukas, in its piquant use of a smallish orchestra with plenty of colorful percussion. Suite Alentejana No. 1 reveals Freitas Branco as an ethnic nationalist, recalling Falla, particularly in the ebullient concluding Fandango. It's a lovely work--but then all of this music is certainly worth getting to know, especially when the performances are this sympathetic and well recorded. Álvaro Cassuto is of course familiar to collectors from his series of orchestral works by Joly Braga Santos (one that I hope is ongoing--there's still come good stuff there). He's not only an authority on the Portuguese school, but he projects his knowledge of the composers and their various idioms with unfailing enthusiasm and stylishness, making this latest release an easy recommendation.
--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com
Tracklist 7 tracks
-
1 I. Adagio - Allegro molto 12:49
- Track
- 1
- Title
- I. Adagio - Allegro molto
- Duration
- 12:49
- Composer
- Luís de Freitas Branco
- Ensemble
- RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- Álvaro Cassuto
-
2 II. Andante 11:52
- Track
- 2
- Title
- II. Andante
- Duration
- 11:52
- Composer
- Luís de Freitas Branco
- Ensemble
- RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- Álvaro Cassuto
-
3 III. Allegro molto vivace 09:20
- Track
- 3
- Title
- III. Allegro molto vivace
- Duration
- 09:20
- Composer
- Luís de Freitas Branco
- Ensemble
- RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- Álvaro Cassuto
-
4 Scherzo fantastique 05:52
- Track
- 4
- Title
- Scherzo fantastique
- Duration
- 05:52
- Composer
- Luís de Freitas Branco
- Ensemble
- RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- Álvaro Cassuto
-
5 I. Prelude: Allegretto 07:42
- Track
- 5
- Title
- I. Prelude: Allegretto
- Duration
- 07:42
- Composer
- Luís de Freitas Branco
- Ensemble
- RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- Álvaro Cassuto
-
6 II. Intermezzo: Adagio - Andantino 05:10
- Track
- 6
- Title
- II. Intermezzo: Adagio - Andantino
- Duration
- 05:10
- Composer
- Luís de Freitas Branco
- Ensemble
- RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- Álvaro Cassuto
-
7 III. Finale: Allegro 08:24
- Track
- 7
- Title
- III. Finale: Allegro
- Duration
- 08:24
- Composer
- Luís de Freitas Branco
- Ensemble
- RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
- Conductor
- Álvaro Cassuto