5つ星のうち4.0A bit rough around the edges, but definitely recommended
2015年9月19日にアメリカ合衆国でレビュー済み
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Back in the late 19th and early 20th century George Chadwick was one of the foremost representatives of American romanticism, but like all of them – perhaps with the exception of MacDowell – his name faded into obscurity where is languished until the last decade of the 20th century. His music is not particularly original – that seems to have been part of the code for this group of composers (and which may have been part of what gave rise to the extreme originality of Ives and the American ultramodernists) - and it owes a lot to Liszt, Dvorak and possibly Chadwick’s own teachers, Rheinberger and Jadassohn. Though he may not have been a first-rate melodist, Chadwick’s scores are endlessly inventive, atmospheric and finely scored; they also requires a touch of fairy magic, full-blooded strings and dramatic momentum, which they rarely receive in sufficient degree in recordings. José Serebrier and the Czech State PO do seem to have many of the right ideas, but the playing isn’t quite as refined in the reflective movements or ferociously driven in the faster parts as the music needs, but the competition isn’t too fierce either.
The Symphonic Sketches (1895-1905) consist of four movements with the kind of romantically picturesque titles that alone would explain why Chadwick’s music fell out of favor in the mid-twentieth century. Jubilee is an energetic and engaging movement written in mid-Dvorak style. Noel is unapologetically sentimental (tongue in cheek?), while Hobgoblin, though I see what the composer was going for, is not particularly successful. A Vagrom Ballad is endlessly inventive and attractive, however. The Melpomene overture is one of many Chadwick works on Greek themes, and while engaging and enjoyable while it lasts, it is frustratingly impossible to remember anything whatsoever of the music when it is over.
Tam O’Shanter, however, is a riot. A phantasmagorical symphonic poem, it may be based on some pretty simple ideas, but it moves through a magnificent array of moods, atmospheres and nature painting, all the while generating more and more energy. It is definitely worth discovering, and although the playing tends to be a bit rough when the temperature is turned up, this is probably worth the price of the disc on its own. So, while not everything about this disc is ideal it deserves, in the end, a firm recommendation.
This is one of a 2 disc anthology collection that samples the best of Chadwick's symphonic works. Performances by Serebrier are colorful and very heartfelt. A first recommendation to know Chadwick's musical arts.