Samuel Barber - Violin Concerto; etc. (James Buswell; Marin Alsop)

Information

Composer: Samuel Barber

1. Violin Concerto, Op. 14: I. Allegro
2. Violin Concerto, Op. 14: II. Andante
3. Violin Concerto, Op. 14: III. Presto in moto perpetuoso
4. Souvenirs (Ballet Suite), Op. 28: I. Waltz (The Lobby)
5. Souvenirs (Ballet Suite), Op. 28: II. Schottische (Third Floor Hallway)
6. Souvenirs (Ballet Suite), Op. 28: III. Pas de Deux (A Corner of the Ballroom)
7. Souvenirs (Ballet Suite), Op. 28: IV. Two-Step (Tea in the Palm Court)
8. Souvenirs (Ballet Suite), Op. 28: V. Hesitation Tango (A Bedroom Affair)
9. Souvenirs (Ballet Suite), Op. 28: VI. Galop (The Next Afternoon)
10. Serenade for Strings, Op. 1: I. Un poco adagio: Allegro con spirito
11. Serenade for Strings, Op. 1: II. Andante con moto
12. Serenade for Strings, Op. 1: III. Dance: Allegro giocoso
13. Music for a Scene from Shelley, Op. 7

James Buswell, violin
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Marin Alsop, conductor

Date: 2001
Label: Naxos
https://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.559044

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Review

A strong account of the Concerto‚ Buswell and Alsop forming a thoughtful partnership

This latest instalment in Marin Alsop’s enjoyable Barber series for Naxos kicks off with a fine performance of the gorgeous Violin Concerto‚ notable for its easy spontaneity and unforced eloquence. Firm of tone and technically secure‚ James Buswell makes an admirably confident soloist‚ and Alsop’s pliant yet clear­headed conducting is a treat. I like the fresh­faced honesty and songful‚ homespun ardour these artists bring to the opening Allegro‚ while the slow movement has a more brooding tenor than is customary (those darkening skies from fig 3‚ 2'53" onwards are gauged to perfection). If the virtuoso moto perpetuo finale lacks the devil­may­care bravado of Hahn’s giddily propulsive account‚ there’s ample compensation in the wealth of felicitous detail uncovered by Alsop. Though not in the luxury class‚ the Scottish orchestra respond with keen application throughout‚ and the sound is excellent. In the last resort‚ both comparative versions listed above evince just that crucial bit extra recreative panache allied to blistering teamwork‚ but this likeable newcomer makes a terrific bargain none the less.

Elsewhere‚ Alsop is completely at home in the glowering rhetoric of Music for a Scene from Shelley‚ though neither the playing nor sound quite do full justice to the the epic breadth of her conception. She also tenders ideally watchful‚ flexible advocacy to the Op 1 Serenade‚ a ’prentice work of great assurance and elegant charm‚ but string­tone is not of the most flattering‚ and the last ounce of grace and wit remains stubbornly elusive – remarks which hold true for the alluring Souvenirs ballet suite as well (recordings with Alsop’s own Colorado Symphony might have told a very different story‚ I fancy). For the concerto alone‚ however‚ here is a disc well worth checking out.

-- Gramophone

More reviews:
ClassicsToday  ARTISTIC QUALITY: 9 / SOUND QUALITY: 9
BBC Music Magazine  PERFORMANCE: **** / SOUND: ***
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2002/Feb02/BarberViolin-Naxos.htm
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2002/Apr02/Barber_violin.htm
http://www.classical.net/music/recs/reviews/n/nxs59044a.php
http://www.classicalcdreview.com/sbvcon.htm
https://www.allmusic.com/album/barber-violin-concerto-music-for-a-scene-from-shelley-souvenirs-ballet-suite-mw0001383296
https://www.naxos.com/reviews/reviewslist.asp?catalogueid=8.559044&languageid=EN
https://www.amazon.com/Barber-Concerto-Souvenirs-Serenade-Strings/dp/B00005RT4V

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Samuel Barber (March 9, 1910 – January 23, 1981) was an American composer of orchestral, opera, choral, and piano music. He is one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century. His Adagio for Strings (1936) has earned a permanent place in the concert repertory of orchestras. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music twice: for his opera Vanessa (1956–57) and for the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1962). Also widely performed is his Knoxville: Summer of 1915 (1947), a setting for soprano and orchestra of a prose text by James Agee. At the time of his death, nearly all of his compositions had been recorded.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Barber

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As a solo violinist, James Buswell has performed more than one hundred concertos, and was a Grammy nominee for his recording of the Barber's Violin Concerto. As a conductor, he has conducted opera, ballet, and symphonic repertoire. While still attending Harvard University, Buswell became well-known as a chamber musician and recitalist. Buswell has given world première performances and made recordings of works by many contemporary composers. He is also known as one of America’s pre-eminent teachers, being on the faculties of both Indiana University and the New England Conservatory.
https://www.naxos.com/person/James_Buswell/98.htm

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Marin Alsop (born October 16, 1956 in New York) is an American conductor and violinist. She was educated at the Yale University and the Juilliard School. She was Principal Conductor of the Bournemouth SO (2002-2008), is currently music director of the Baltimore SO (since 2017) and the São Paulo State SO (since 2012), and chief conductor designate of the Vienna Radio SO. Highlights of Alsop’s recording collaboration with Naxos include a selection of works by Barber, several discs of music by Bernstein, a series of recordings of Dvořák and a Brahms symphony cycle.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marin_Alsop

http://www.marinalsop.com/

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