Used Bin Troll Tweets K.

Ethelbert Nevin

[February 2015.]

Witold LUTOSŁAWSKI: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1987); Chain 3 (1986); Novelette (1978-79). Krystian Zimerman (pno). BBC Symphony Orchestra, Witold Lutosławski (cond.). DG 341 664-2 (1 CD) (http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/).

Alas, they don’t make them like this anymore! Few working today surpass Lutosławski’s constantly revolving, vivid and dynamic universe. YES.

“Responses to Ives.” Charles IVES: Study No. 21: Some Southpaw Pitching! (1909?); Set of Five Take-Offs (1906?); Moderato and Largo from Four Transcriptions from “Emerson” (1920s?); Study No. 9: The Anti-Abolitionist Riots in the 1830’s and 1840’s (1908-09?); London Bridge is Fallen Down! (1891?). Walter ZIMMERMANN: the missing nail at the river (2003-04). Michael FINNISSY: Song of Myself (2003). James TENNEY: Essay (after a sonata) (2003). Sidney CORBETT: The Celestial Potato Fields (2004). Oliver SCHNELLER: “And tomorrow…” (2004). Heather O’Donnell (pno). mode 211 (1 CD) (http://www.moderecords.com/).

How did I overlook such a powerful recital? Visionary Ives inspired several new works (some busy inside, or add toy piano, electronics). YES.

Marco Enrico BOSSI: Trio in re minore, Op. 107 (1896); Trio Sinfonico in re maggiore, Op. 123 (1901). SchuberTrio: Giulio Giurato (pno), Roberto Noferini (vln), Andrea Noferini (vlc). Tactus TC 862704 (1 CD) (http://www.tactus.it/).

Romantic Italian predominantly known for organ works created expansive piano trios which could easily be mistaken for Franck or Fauré. YES.

“Organ Music in America.” Whitney Eugene THAYER: Variations on the Russian National Hymn, Op. 12 (1874). Dudley BUCK, SR.: The Star Spangled Banner (1868). Arthur FOOTE: Prelude (1902); Oriental Sketch (1898). Charles IVES: Variations on “America” (1891). Leo SOWERBY: Pageant (1931). Aaron COPLAND: Episode (1941). Henrique OSWALD: Adagio from Sonata in C Major (1931?). Alberto NEPOMUCENO: Offertoire (1914). Alberto GINASTERA: Toccata, Villancico y Fuga, Op. 18 (1947). Arturo Sacchetti (org). Arts Music 47272-2 (1 CD) (http://www.artsmusic.de/).

An Italian tours North and South American organ music on three different Roman organs. Before there were countries, the pipes rang out. YES.

Ruperto CHAPÍ: Fantasia morisca (1873); Symphony in D minor (1879). Orquesta de la Comunidad de Madrid, José Ramón Encinar (cond.). Naxos 8.572195 (1 CD) (http://www.naxos.com/).

Early Beethoven and Verdi fuse for a pleasing, studied mix. Ironically, if Chapí were French we would hear more of this Madrilenian. MAYBE.

Arthur HONEGGER: Symphony No. 2 (1941); Symphony No. 5, “Di tre ré” (1950). Darius MILHAUD: Suite provençale, Op. 152 (1936); La création du monde (1923). Boston Symphony Orchestra, Charles Munch (cond.). RCA 09026-60685-2 (1 CD) (http://www.rcarecords.com/).

If you must experience Honegger, then these classic mid-century mono versions should suffice. The Milhaud Création is expectably fine. MAYBE.