Search - Ahmet Adnan Saygun, Ari Rasilainen, Rheinland-Pfalz Staatsphilharmonie :: Ahmed Adnan Saygun: Symphony No. 4; Violin Concerto; Suite

Saygun, like bartok, is an acquired taste once appreciated r

Ryan Morris | Chicago, IL | 03/23/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Saygun is a very good, sometimes great(symph 3 & 5, VLN CTO) composer, this generations bartok, of sorts. I enjoyed this disc more than CPO SYmph 1& 2 release, and at first was slightly put off by the concerto, though after repeated listening, cant quite put my finger on what didnt sit well before(isnt all good music like that) The most pleasing parts being those when the violin is flying lyrically through a solo section that is quite breathtaking.

For those completely thrown off by modern music, this is a good composer to get aquainted with. His music has tradional qualities, mixed with the best of what modernity has to offer, not to mention his own eastern euopean flavour. Unlike Boulez' band of aesthetic impotents', you can always identify a musical(lyrical) line of melody(believe it or not, something the avant garde can seem to ever do)

There is much good coming out of the new tonal school of music i.e Vasks, Rautaavarra, etc. I wouldnt necassarily put Saygun in that category, but his muisc is of the highest interest. CPO, in my mind, the most important label in recent years, should be applauded again for bringing new material to the public( once again) in top tier performances. BRAVO!"