Miklós Rózsa - Orchestral Works Vol. 2 (Paul Watkins; Jennifer Pike; Rumon Gamba)

Information

Composer: Miklós Rózsa

1. Variations on a Hungarian Peasant Song, for violin & orchestra, Op. 4
2. The Vintner's Daughter - Variations on a French Folk Song, Op. 23a
3. Notturno Ungherese, Op. 28
4. Cello Concerto, Op. 32: I. Moderato - Allegro non troppo
5. Cello Concerto, Op. 32: II. Lento con grande espressione
6. Cello Concerto, Op. 32: III. Allegro vivo

Jennifer Pike, violin (1)
Paul Watkins, cello (4-6)
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Rumon Gamba, conductor

Date: 2011
Label: Chandos
https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%2010674

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Review

Miklós Rózsa, born in Budapest, was one of the most gifted of all the composers who moved from his homeland to Hollywood to write music for films (95 of them!). He was a natural melodist and scored for orchestra with great flair, and the Hungarian flavour of his music gave it a special edge and character.

Rózsa was especially impressive in variations, as the diverse and colourful Variations on a Hungarian Peasant Song demonstrates. It features a concertante solo violin – the seductive Jennifer Pike, who is equally impressive in both the virtuosity and sweet lyricism of her solo role. The Vintner’s Daughter (12 variations on a French folksong) was originally written for solo piano and it was Eugene Ormandy who commissioned the orchestral version, with its imaginative and highly contrasted instrumental colouring and tempi. The Notturno ungherese again features a gentle solo clarinet at its opening but, spiced with a pair of passionate climaxes, it is a truly volatile Hungarian rhapsody.

The disquieting Cello Concerto was inspired by the composer’s meeting with his compatriot, János Starker, who aided its composition. The work is comparatively austere but emotionally gripping. The first movement demands (and receives) passionate virtuosity; the darkly coloured central Lento broods intensely and hauntingly; the dancing, moto perpetuo finale is dissonantly aggressive, with frenzied writing for soloist and orchestra alike, framing a hauntingly mysterious yet tranquil centrepiece. These are four first-rate works by a still neglected composer, marvellously played and recorded.

-- Ivan March, Gramophone

More reviews:
BBC Music Magazine  PERFORMANCE: ***** / SOUND: *****
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2011/Sept11/Rosza_cello_concerto_chan10674.htm
http://www.allmusic.com/album/mikl%C3%B3s-r%C3%B3zsa-variations-on-a-hungarian-peasant-song-the-vintners-daughter-notturno-ungharese-cello-concerto-mw0002164885

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miklós Rózsa (18 April 1907 in Budapest – 27 July 1995 in Los Angeles) was a Hungarian-American composer. Best known for his nearly one hundred film scores, he nevertheless maintained a steadfast allegiance to absolute concert music throughout what he called his "double life". His notable Hollywood career earned him considerable fame, including Academy Awards for Spellbound (1945), A Double Life (1947), and Ben-Hur (1959), while his concert works were championed by major artists such as Jascha Heifetz, Gregor Piatigorsky, and János Starker. Rózsa also received recognition for his choral works.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikl%C3%B3s_R%C3%B3zsa

***

Rumon Gamba (born 24 November 1972), is an English conductor. He studied conducting with Colin Metters, George Hurst and Sir Colin Davis at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Gamba was Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra from 2002 to 2010. In October 2008, he was named the next chief conductor and music director of NorrlandsOperan. In March 2011, Gamba was named chief conductor of the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra. Gamba has conducted a number of recordings for the Chandos Records label, particularly in their Film Music series.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumon_Gamba

http://www.rumongamba.com/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLAC, tracks

Links in comment

Enjoy!