Save around 22% with
the retailers listed alongside

Alvaro Cassuto's name is associated with Joly Braga Santos. The rolling Marco Polo series of the Santos symphonies is conducted by Cassuto (one more disc to go). The detailed notes are also provided by Cassuto.

Cassuto's music however is far from amiable or even approachable. The Evocations (a title redolent of Gallic exoticism - Roussel etc) runs the gamut of effects. We get the slippery incessant chatter of the violins and woodwind (quite like Penderecki's Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima). The solo violins and trumpets fanfare in peace across a phantasmal battlefield in a softened tonal atmosphere. This reminds the listener of Geoffrey Burgon. The insectiform Hovhaness-like chittering of the opening returns to round out the structure.

To Love And Peace is decked out with easier fanfares than Evocations though the use of a slightly dull version of the Lutheran chorale in e major from Bach's St Matthew Passion does not come across as a strength.

The In memoriam piece recalls the conductor Pedro De Freitas Branco. The recollection takes its keynote from the sour language of the avant-garde. Despite the notes, which do not avoid musical complexity, I did not feel drawn to the this piece. No doubt this is my loss.

I did not find this at all compelling (musically speaking) although the performances give every sign of dedication, technical accomplishment and audio clarity.

Reviewer

Rob Barnett

Ordering details for PORTUGALSOM

The prices are: UK pounds- 6 and US dollars -10 (freight not included).

The transport costs are :

For UK----- 1 or 2 CDs ------UK£1.60; 3 CDs ----£2.5

For USA---- 1 or 2 CDs-----US$3.50 ; 3 CDs --- $5.5

Orders can come by fax to fax number 351 1 7141723,

by e-mail to:strauss@mail.telepac.pt

or by mail for attention Eduarda Martins to the address:

Strauss, S.A.
Rua Adelaide Cabete, 3C,
1500-023 LISBOA
Portugal.

Credit cards are accepted with the name of the buyer, credit card number, validity date and type of card.
orch score and parts available from Sociedade Portuguesa de Auotores
Av Duque de Loule 31
1000 Lisboa
Portugal

Orders and enquiries for this disc to
Strauss S.A.
Rua Adelaide Cabete 3-C
1500 Lisboa
Portugal
phone 01 7151151 - 7143490
fax 01 7141723

orchestral score and parts available:-

Evocations: Tonos Musikverlag - Darmstadt

To Love and Peace: G Schirmer New York

In Memoriam Pedro de Freitas Branco RDP Lisbon

Reviewer

Rob Barnett

Reviews from previous months