Paul Ben-Haim - Symphony No. 1; etc. (Israel Yinon)

Information

Composer: Paul Ben-Haim

1. Symphony No. 1: I. Allegro energico
2. Symphony No. 1: II. Molto calmo e cantabile
3. Symphony No. 1: III. Presto con fuoco
4. Fanfare to Israel
5. Symphonic Metamorphoses on Bach Chorale "Wer nun den lieben Gott läßt walten"

NDR Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
Israel Yinon, conductor

Date: 2011
Label: cpo

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Review

ARTISTIC QUALITY: 10 / SOUND QUALITY: 8

It’s about time some enterprising label discovered the music of Paul Ben-Haim (1897-1984). He was a very fine composer, and these are outstanding works. The First symphony (of two) has three movements, some great ideas, and a real “symphonic” impetus and feeling of growth and development. Its slow movement is particularly gorgeous, especially just after a passionate central climax where the high solo violin is accompanied by harp, three solo violas, and gentle rustlings in the remaining strings. It’s a magical moment. Ben-Haim’s style might be compared to Hindemith with less clunky rhythms and a bit more consonant harmony.

The Symphonic Metamorphosis dates from the late 1960s and also recalls Hindemith to some extent, except at the climax where the jubilant reprise of the Bach chorale brings to mind Respighi (glockenspiel, triangle, and antique cymbals). Along the way, Ben-Haim offers two “recitatives”, a passacaglia, and a zippy capriccio marked “lovely” in the score, which I think ought to be “lively”. Fanfare for Israel is about what you’d expect for an occasional work of its type: brassy, vivid, colorful, but not annoyingly bombastic, and over in less than seven minutes.

The performances under Israel Yinon are remarkably assured given the unfamiliarity of the repertoire. The orchestra remains on its toes throughout, and this is especially impressive in the finale of the symphony, a whirlwind presto in 12/8 time that’s fully up to tempo and on point. The engineering is good, but perhaps a bit dry and “studio-bound”. This is an important release, with hopefully much more to come from this source.

-- David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday

More reviews:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Symphony-1-Fanfare-Israel-Symphonic/dp/B005H8APRI

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Paul Ben-Haim (5 July 1897 – 14 January 1984) was an Israeli composer. Born Paul Frankenburger in Munich, Germany, he studied composition with Friedrich Klose and was assistant conductor to Bruno Walter and Hans Knappertsbusch. He composed chamber music, works for choir, orchestra and solo instruments, and songs. His compositions are in a late Romantic vein with Middle Eastern overtones, somewhat similar to Ernest Bloch. Ben-Haim devoted himself to teaching and composition, including teaching at the Shulamit Conservatory. His notable students include Eliahu Inbal and Henri Lazarof.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Ben-Haim

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Israel Yinon (11 January 1956 – 29 January 2015) was an Israeli conductor. Yinon, who was born in Israel but who spent much of his professional life based in Germany, was the first conductor to record the works of Viktor Ullman and was a committed champion of the music of Ernest Bloch, Karol Rathaus and Pavel Haas. He was a guest conductor with numerous orchestras around the world, including the Royal Philharmonic and the Vienna Symphony. He specialized in reviving works of forgotten German composers who were forbidden under Adolf Hitler.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Yinon

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