Information
Composer: Josef Bohuslav Foerster
- Violin Concerto No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 88
- Violin Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 104
Ivan Ženatý, violin
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Jiří Bělohlávek, conductor
Date: 2008
Label: Supraphon
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Little of the large output of Josef Bohuslav Foerster (1859-1951) is widely known, yet, as this finely played, splendidly recorded disc demonstrates, he¡¯s an enthralling composer. His chromatic, highly expressive harmonic style and sophisticated orchestral writing place him firmly in the company of late Romantics such as Strauss, Elgar and his friend Mahler, but his music, with its clearly defined phrases and lyrical tone, retains a distinctively Czech character. Sometimes the resemblance to his nationalist forebears is clear ¨C the opening of the First Concerto recalls Smetana in passionate mood, and the Andante middle movement of No 2 evokes a Dvor¨¢k-like pastoral atmosphere. Foerster differs, however, in the way he indulges his lyrical gift; in place of the positive rhythmic drive characteristic of both Dvor¨¢k and Smetana his tendency is to allow energy to subside into dreamy reverie ¨C often extremely beautiful, but, especially in the long first movement of the First Concerto, weakening the overall impact.
However, Foerster shows real originality. The First Concerto¡¯s third movement, a graceful, sensuous waltz with playful, decorative writing for the soloist, is unlike any other violin concerto finale I can think of. Op 104 is a more introspective work, with an unusual but satisfying form. After three or four minutes of what promises to be a mercurial finale, we¡¯re suddenly recalled to the sombre surroundings of the first movement, to hear a complete recapitulation, which Foerster had earlier omitted. Ivan Zenat¡Ý plays with lovely tone and wide expressive range, contributing his own idiomatic cadenza to Op 88. The BBC SO under Belohl¨¢vek matches his warmth and conviction.
-- Richard Osborne, Gramophone
More reviews:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josef Bohuslav Foerster (30 December 1859 – 29 May 1951) was a Czech composer and musicologist. Born and educated in Prague, he produced numerous compositions, but his music is not nationalistic in the sense of employing the idioms of Czech folk music. Foerster's compositions include five symphonies, other orchestral works including a symphonic poem based on Cyrano de Bergerac, much chamber music, at least five operas, concertos for cello and violin, and liturgical music, among other works, over 170 published opus numbers in all. Many of his works were dedicated to his family members.
***
Ivan Ženatý (born 2 February 1962) is a Czech violinist. The violinist has been influenced the most by his personal encounters with Nathan Milstein, Ruggiero Ricci and André Gertler, as well as private lessons with Josef Suk. He has recorded the complete violin works of composers Telemann, Bach, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Schulhoff, Dvořák and Grieg. Ženatý played on Giuseppe Guarneri's violin Prince of Orange. Now he plays on another Guarneri violin made in 1740. He has taught at Cleveland Institute of Music, Royal Danish Academy of Music and Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber in Dresden.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
FLAC, tracks
Links in comment
Enjoy!
Choose one link, copy and paste it to your browser's address bar, wait a few seconds (you may need to click 'Continue' first), then click 'Free Access with Ads' / 'Get link'. Complete the steps / captchas if require.
ReplyDeleteGuide for Linkvertise: 'Free Access with Ads' --> 'Get [Album name]' --> 'I'm interested' --> 'Explore Website / Learn more' --> close the newly open tab/window, then wait for a few seconds --> 'Get [Album name]'
https://link-center.net/610926/foerster-violin-concertos
or
https://uii.io/giJbVZ
or
https://exe.io/dGqO