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Fetler: Violin Concerto, No. 2; Capriccio; Three Poems by Walt Whitman
Aaron Berofsky, Thomas H. Blaske, Penelope Fischer
Fetler: Violin Concerto, No. 2; Capriccio; Three Poems by Walt Whitman
Genre: Classical
 
This recording, the first devoted entirely to the music of Paul Fetler, — features Ann Arbor poet and attorney — Thomas H. Blaske as narrator in the — evocative Three Poems by Walt — Whitman, written to commemorate — the Americ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Aaron Berofsky, Thomas H. Blaske, Penelope Fischer, Scott Graddy, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Arie Lipsky
Title: Fetler: Violin Concerto, No. 2; Capriccio; Three Poems by Walt Whitman
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Naxos American
Original Release Date: 1/1/2009
Re-Release Date: 12/16/2009
Genre: Classical
Styles: Historical Periods, Modern, 20th, & 21st Century, Symphonies
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 636943960622

Synopsis

Product Description
This recording, the first devoted entirely to the music of Paul Fetler,
features Ann Arbor poet and attorney
Thomas H. Blaske as narrator in the
evocative Three Poems by Walt
Whitman, written to commemorate
the American Bicentennial in 1976.
An elegant solo violin quasi-cadenza
opens the remarkable third movement, after which the narrator intones the haunting line, 'Ah, from a little child, thou knowest, Soul, how to me all sounds became music....' The phrase is heard again, reflected near the close and carried as if by a distant music box, simulated by a toy piano. A labor of love, Fetler's Violin Concerto No. 2 mixes spry energy and elegant orchestration with expressively flowing melody into an irresistible tour de force, a perfect example of the 'progressive lyricism' that characterises his musical style.

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CD Reviews

Elegance and Eloquence
Dean R. Brierly | Studio City, CA | 01/20/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)

"There is much to like in this Naxos American Classics recording featuring the music of Paul Fetler, which is the first devoted exclusively to his work. Included on this disc are his Violin Concerto No. 2, Capriccio, and Three Poems by Walt Whitman. The concerto for me is the highlight, showcasing his elegant and urgent lyricism throughout all three movements. Fetler's melodies are full of yearning yet never sound cloying, and are wonderfully embroidered with impressionistic sound colors and accents. Moreover, Fetler maintains perfect balance between the violin and orchestral passages, never letting the latter overwhelm the former, even during the overtly dramatic and propulsive third movement. The composer's Capriccio is much lighter in tone, marked by balletic rhythms and spirited melodies, and evokes Debussy in its shimmering atmospheres. I'm somewhat less enamored of the Three Poems by Walt Whitman. That's no knock on Fetler's evocative musical settings, which effectively complement the emotional and thematic tenor of Whitman's verse (narrated by the poet Thomas H. Blaske). As much as I like Whitman's poetry, and as much as I appreciate Fetler's musical underscore, I've never warmed to the combination of spoken poetry and classical music, which to my ear comes off as a little stiff and portentous. (That kind of thing seems to work much better with jazz--Jean Shepherd's improvised narration on Charles Mingus' "The Clown," for example.) All in all, however, this recording is a fine introduction to a composer long deserving of greater recognition."
Disappointing Fetler selection
Joel E. Arem | Laytonsville, MD USA | 06/19/2010
(1 out of 5 stars)

"Paul Fetler is not well known, despite an apparently prodigious output of music. Decades ago a recording was made of his "Contrasts for Orchestra", which was and remains one of my all-time favorite pieces of music - intensely original, dynamic and always enjoyable even after the 100-th hearing. Fetler's orchestration in this piece is akin to Copland's ability to do more with less - to make a huge sound with very few instruments. It is unique in the repertoire, totally unlike anything else I have ever heard after nearly 60 years of listening to 20-th century classic works.



I was very excited to finally get a chance to hear more of Fetler's music, but was severely disapointed when I listened to this disk. While the performance seems to be fine in terms of competence and sound quality, the music itself is so far removed in terms of style and impact from the "Contrasts" that I felt like I was hearing a totally different composer at work. I am sure there are folks who will enjoy these pieces and have different musical tastes from my own. My disappointment is, after all, just my own prejudice, but if you know the "Contrasts" and are looking for more of the same, let us all hope that another CD is released that gives us our wish - this one is not it."