From the opening solo violin foray, a pungent, aggressive reading unfolds, nicely balanced between the concertino intimacies and the larger, ripieno of the responsory group. The music of Handel occurs rarely enough in the Monteux discography, and here we have the wily conductor’s own arrangement of the Concerto Grosso in D, reversing the last two movements to provide a hearty Allegro as a finale. The patented Monteux clarity of line asserts itself everywhere, and the dramatic intensity cannot be denied. Besides a series of dizzying, quick passages, the music features one lovely melody, some fine string and horn work, and a sophisticated sense of the composer’s capacity for counterpoint. Monteux opens with a flourish, the Overture to Weber’s grand opera Euryanthe (1823), which survives only in the form of this eight-minute excerpt. ![]() The second appearance (20 November 1937) of Pierre Monteux before the newly-formed NBC Symphony offers a series of display pieces, meant to reveal the ensemble as a virtuoso, color instrument with a refined, responsive discipline in diverse musical styles. ![]() 2 – Music by WEBER HANDEL SIBELIUS GRIFFES WAGNER RAVEL – NBC Symphony Orchestra/ Pierre Monteux – Pristine Audio PASC 643 (78:27) [ *****:
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |