This disc presents
three interesting works by Thea Musgrave,
a Scottish composer who has been based
in the USA for over thirty years. For
this recording she returned to her native
land as conductor and she also guides
us through the music in the booklet.
In the concertos, the soloist is Victoria
Soames, who founded the Clarinet Classics
label in 1992.
Unlike the other two
works on the disc, the Clarinet Concerto
has no specific programme. It is in
six sections forming a single movement
and requires the soloist to move around
the orchestra to lead various smaller
concertante groups. Whilst fundamentally
dramatic in nature, there are reflective
moments (notably the fourth section,
headed Sensuoso). The solo part
demands a wide range of expression and
is played with consummate skill by Victoria
Soames.
The Seasons
was commissioned by the Academy of St.
Martin-in-the-Fields. Inevitably, it
is in four movements, starting with
Autumn. A violent storm in Autumn leads
to a Winter of despair, a thaw into
an ultimately serene Spring and a Summer
of slightly muted celebration. Whilst
each movement has its own distinct themes
and mood there is an overall unity based
on specific harmonic elements. The inspiration
for this work came from a visit to the
Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
and each season is associated with a
specific picture (these are by Picasso,
Leutze and two by van Gogh). There are
also quotations (from The Star Spangled
Banner in Winter, and the US and
French National Anthems in Summer) which
I find less problematic than John France
in his recent review. The disc was also
reviewed by Len Mullenger in 1998 and
we all seem to share a general enthusiasm
for the music and performances (see
below for links).
The last piece is the
Bass Clarinet Concerto, depicting an
autumnal dream landscape and based on
the poetry of Georg Trakl. Each of the
six short and contrasting sections is
associated with particular quotations
(which are given in full in the booklet)
and the mood is generally sombre, fully
utilizing the impressive bass register
of the solo instrument. Victoria Soames
commissioned this piece and is highly
sympathetic to its dark but powerful
nature. For me, this is the most striking
of the three pieces recorded here but
all are well worth exploring.
Her style is individual, being influenced
by both traditional and serial methods,
and she skilfully juxtaposes dramatic
and lyrical elements.
These performances
can be regarded as definitive. The recording
is clear and always well-balanced. In
summary, a highly successful disc.
Patrick C Waller
see also reviews
by John
France and Len
Mullenger
Thea
Musgrave by Francis Routh
Victoria Soames (clarinet and *bass clarinet)
