Search - Béla Bartók (Composer), Witold Lutoslawski (Composer), Christoph von Dohnányi (Conductor) :: Béla Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra / Witold Lutoslawski: Concerto for Orchestra - The Cleveland Orchestra / Christoph von Dohnányi

Two Brilliant Works for Orchestras as Soloists!

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 03/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Both Béla Bartók in 1943 and Witold Lutoslawski in 1955 celebrated the symphonic associations of the world in a way few other composers have achieved - by composing works that keep the spotlight within the body of musicians. Their obvious shared respect for each of the individual sections and musicians within those sections of the orchestra is paid homage in these challenging works. 'Concerto for Orchestra' indicates a work that is just that: a work for full orchestra in which each section is highlighted as soloist against the fabric of the full orchestra, no matter how short or how long.



Each of this similar works abounds in creative, folklike ideas and span the gamut of emotional communication. The works are demanding and are best performed by the finest orchestras with depth in every section. Such is most assuredly the case with this excellent recording with Christoph von Dohnányi conducting the Cleveland Orchestra. There is an incisiveness to the execution of attack and yet a sensitivity to the elegiac sections which makes these performances among the finest on record. While other conductors and orchestras my find more blatant showmanship in the solo portions, few can achieve the balance of the full orchestra as well as the Cleveland Orchestra on this recording. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, March 06"