Classical Editor: Rob Barnett
 

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Samuel BARBER
Orchestral Works Volume 1
The School for Scandal Overture. Op.5.
Symphony No. 1, Op.9
First Essay for Orchestra, Op.12
Symphony No. 2, Op.19
Royal Scottish National Orchestra - Marin Alsop
Playing Time 69.47, Digital Recording, Recorded 8-9 / 12 / 98.At Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow
Naxos 8.559024
Crotchet
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The School for Scandal Overture, which opens this disc, sets the tone for the whole release. The music has a truly American flavour (just listen to the oboe melody) and the orchestra relishes its trans-Atlantic trip. The strings, however, can tend towards the scrawny, something which recurs throughout the programme.

In both of the symphonies, one can sense the RSNO's lack of familiarity with the notes and there is a resultant unconfident edge. So, whilst Barber's additive processes towards climaxes are effectively realised in the first movement of the first Symphony and the finale is appropriately heart-on-sleeve, the Allegro molto second movement lacks the visceral edge it so needs. Similarly, the woodwind enjoy the spiky, dissonant opening to the Second Symphony (and the rest of the first movement is positively bursting with energy), but the orchestra does not have the measure of the last movement, neither technically nor atmospherically.

The darker language of the First Essay, sandwiched between the Symphonies, is an example of Barber's private side. Here the orchestra seems fully at home.

Chandos reissued Dutoit's versions of the symphonies with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra on CHAN9684, but kept the full price tag. The recording is superior to the current disc (and the orchestra is geographically authentic), so this remains the top recommendation in this field if you can spare the extra outlay.

Reviewer

Colin Clarke

Performance

Recording

See also Rob Barnett's review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Crotchet
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Reviewer

Colin Clarke

Performance

Recording


Reviews from previous months


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