The suite is in three movements the first and last of which has flashing
woodwind in the style of Bach's second suite for orchestra with its prominent
role for flickering solo flute. Bachian lightness and Regerian lumber meet
and for the most part settle in favour of the lighter hand. The contrasting
central largo is rather modern in style.
The substantial Serenade in G Major is for full orchestra. Its first movement
boasts memorably satiny strings. The style? Well, if Brahms 1 was spoken
of by some as Beethoven's 10th symphony then this is Brahms' Third
Serenade. A contented Beethovenian allegro. The second movement is a brief
skittering vivace with at 1.30 some blaringly exciting horns ear-catchingly
recorded. The Andante Semplice third movement sounds a little like Othmar
Schoeck (who was no doubt influenced by Reger - try Schoeck's orchestral
suite) and links into the Reger Sinfonietta with its stroll in warm Alpine
uplands. The final allegro con spirito is perhaps a bit overlong with an
undertow comparable to the Brahms first symphony. It tends towards soporific
romanticism and plays out bravely in a lovely peace as you might expect from
a serenade. A pity he did not do the same for the Beethoven Variations.
Reviewer
Rob Barnett
Bamberg
SO/Horst Stein 
