Search - Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Matthias Bamert, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra :: Korngold: Military March; Cello Concerto; Symphonic Serenade

THERE'S [KORN]GOLD IN DEM THAR HILLS!!!

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 10/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This exceptional wealth of brazenly original music is definitely worth hearing; it's prime Korngold.



The Cello Concerto, Op. 37 ("Deception") comes, part and parcel, from Korngold's original score for the film of the same name, in which it served as a "set piece" of some six minutes in the last reel climax. Broadened to twelve minutes and published in 1950, it is a beautiful, tender work, achingly so, interwoven with mood and mystery. And all too short for my liking! Cellist Peter Dixon plays gloriously. (Can't imagine better.)



The Symphonic Serenade, Op. 39 is a fascinating work, as well, rather reminiscent of Britten's "Simple Symphony." The first movement Allegro retains a striking, almost brutal, melancholy with moments of intense, searching profundity. It is visceral. Particularly intriguing is the imaginative Intermezzo, played nearly completely pizzicato, which imbues the movement with a episodic eerieness. The eleven minute Lento religioso--- the true "heart" of the Serenade--- is a brilliant, anguished chorale-like plea not easily forgotten. It seems a distillation of Korngold's genius. Incredibly moving. Indeed, this is sacred ground! The Finale rumbles and grumbles its way, almost comically, to a highly satisfying conclusion of a highly satisfying and musically gifted work.



The Piano Concerto, Op. 17, in one movement of nearly twenty-eight minutes, appears almost Schumannesque in its schizophrenic indecision: Moments of beguiling tenderness, soaring melody, broken asunder by startling excursions into dissonance, and then, just as suddenly, returning to the most sublime displays of renewed lyricism. Extraordinary! Considering this was premiered in 1924 by the left-handed pianist, Paul Wittgenstein, who also commissioned the work, it is an astoundingly forward-looking and innovative composition. Not only this: It's next to impossible to believe a concerto such as this can actually be played by the left hand alone! One tends to completely forget while listening. It's that intense and compelling musically, if not downright thrilling. Kudos to pianist Shelley!



Fine orchestral support by the BBC Philharmonic under Bamert, whose affinity for Korngold is obvious, and excellent sound from Chandos.



[Running time: 75:39]"

Worthy and Overdue!

Melvyn M. Sobel | 05/06/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This recording gives us an exciting rendition of a buried musical treasure, Korngold's "Deception" Cello Concerto. The "Deception" concerto is a hauntingly beautiful work, arguably the greatest work of film music ever composed. This concerto has unfortunately been neglected as an orchestral work, perhaps because of its unusual length and because it was composed for film. Cello soloist Peter Dixon and the BBC Philharmonic orchestra have corrected this oversight with a splendid rendition of the "Deception" concerto. They treat this concerto with the respect it deserves, and bring out its brooding tone beautifully. Hopefully, this recording will start to establish the "Deception" Concerto's proper place in the classical music reportoire. The other works on this recording are well performed, but I suspect they will appeal mainly to those, like myself, who have a special interest in Korngold's music. The "Deception" concerto is the work that will appeal to a wide audience, and it alone is well worth the price of this fine recording."