Symphonic Poems: June 2009 Archives

Sándor Balassa
(b. 1935)

Journeys in Bihar County, Op. 93 (2005)
Civis Town of Debrecen, Op. 91 (2005)
Praise of Knightly Virtues, Op. 100 (2007)

MR Symphony Orchestra/Ádám Medveczky
Hungaroton HCD32585 74:14

Much of Balassa's orchestral output relates to districts or towns in Hungary, as in the first two items, or to Hungarian history, as in the last. The music has similarities to Kodály and Respighi. Those who might be worried by the late dates of composition will find nothing troublesome.

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Josef Suk
(1874-1935)

A Summer Tale, Op. 29 (1907-09)
Fantastic Scherzo, Op. 25 (1903)

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra/Sir Charles Mackerras
Decca 466443-2 65:35

Suk was deeply affected by the deaths of his teacher, Dvořák, and of his wife, Otilie, Dvorák's daughter, in successive years, resulting firstly in his Asrael Symphony, a much darker work than he had written previously.

A Summer Tale, in five movements, is part drama, part serenity, and is especially notable for the lightly-scored third movement which features two cors anglais to excellent effect. The Fantastic Scherzo features a main theme that will stay with you.

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[ Sheet music by this composer: Sheet Music Plus - Musicnotes.com ]

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakoff
(1844-1908)

Christmas Eve: Overture & Suite (1894-5)
Night on Mount Triglav (1899-1901)
The Tsar's Bride: Overture & Intermezzo (1898)
On the Tomb, Op. 61 (1904)
Greeting (1907)

Moscow Symphony Orchestra/Igor Golovschin
Naxos 8.553789 75:19

The first three items, which comprise most of this CD, are from Rimsky-Korsakov's operas. Night on Mount Triglav is an arrangement of Act III of Mlada. On the Tomb and Greeting are short occasional pieces. Everything shows his wonderful orchestration and talent for creating atmosphere. Mount Triglav is not quite as sinister a place as Mussorgsky's Bald Mountain, but has its moments.

[ Available on CD: Amazon - UK - Germany - Canada - France - Japan - ArkivMusic - CD Universe ]

[ Sheet music by this composer: Sheet Music Plus - Musicnotes.com ]