George Enescu: Orchestral Works (Box Set) [Box set]

Track Listings
1. Romanian Rhapsody No.1 Op.11 A Major    
2. Suite No.2 Op.20 C Major (Interlude)    
3. Suite No.2 Op.20 C Major (Sarabande)    
4. Suite No.2 Op.20 C Major (Gigue)    
5. Suite No.2 Op.20 C Major (Menuet Grave)    
6. Suite No.2 Op.20 C Major (Air)    
7. Suite No.2 Op.20 C Major (Bourree)    
8. Suite No.3 Op.27 D Major "Villageoise" (Renouveau Champetre)    
9. Suite No.3 Op.27 D Major "Villageoise" (Gamins En Plein Air)    
10. Suite No.3 Op.27 D Major "Villageoise" (La Vieille Maison De L'enfance)    
11. Suite No.3 Op.27 D Major "Villageoise" (Riviere Sous La Lune)    
12. Suite No.3 Op.27 D Major "Villageoise" (Danses Rustiques)    
13. Rhapsody No.2    
14. Symphony No.2 (Vivace, Ma Non Troppo)    
15. Symphony No.2 (Andante Giusto)    
16. Symphony No.2 (Un Poco Lento, Marziale - Allegro Vivace)    
17. Symphony No.3 C Major Op.21 (Moderato, Un Poco Mosso)    
18. Symphony No.3 C Major Op.21 (Vivace Ma Non Troppo - Largo Pesante)    
19. Symphony No.3 C Major Op.21 (Lento Ma Non Troppo)    
20. Concert Overture A Major Op.32    
See all 29 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews
Album Details
Ddd. Special Edition Four CD Box-set of Orchestral Works by George Enescu.

George Enescu: Orchestral Works (Box Set), Music, George Enescu, Cristian Mandeal, Bucharest Philharmonic George Enescu Orchestra, 20th/21st Century Orchestral Music, 20th/21st Century Overture, 20th/21st Century Symphony, 20th/21st Century Symphony with Chorus, Chamber Symphony, Classical, Orchestral, Orchestral & Symphonic, Suite for Orchestra, Symphonic
Romania - Piano Works by Enescu, Constantinescu, Bartok
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • extraordinary pianism for obscure repertoire
Romania - Piano Works by Enescu, Constantinescu, Bartok

Manufacturer: L'empreinte Digitale
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Bartók, Béla | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Enescu, GeorgesEnescu, Georges | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
SuitesSuites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
SonatasSonatas | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General ContemporaryGeneral Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00004YSAL
Release Date: 2000-12-12

Tracks:

  1. Joc
  2. Cantec
  3. Joc Dobrogean
  4. Choral
  5. Carillon Nocturne
  6. Rhapsodie Roumaine Op. 11 No. 1 Pour Piano
  7. Allegro Molto Moderato E Grave
  8. Presto Vivace
  9. Andante Molto Espressivo
  10. Joc Cu Bata
  11. Braul
  12. Pe Loc
  13. Buciumeana
  14. Poarga Romanesca
  15. Maruntel

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars extraordinary pianism for obscure repertoire.......2004-11-30

Despite the obscure repertoire, this is really an amazing disc. The Constantinescu pieces are pale pianistic reflections of their extraordinary folkloric originals, but the Enescu selections are real eye-openners - The original piano version of the pop concert favorite First Roumanian Rhapsody is astounding for its technical requirements for the pianist and this pianist (new to me) meets the challenge and then some. However, the entire disc is worth the price for the Enescu piano sonata - a complex and "modern" work one would not have expected for the composer of the Rhapsody that preceeds it on the CD. The Bartok "6 dances" have been recorded amply before, and are redundant after the riches that preceed them. As a bonus, the recorded sound is the best I've heard for the piano.
Enescu: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 1
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • The brilliance of the youthful Enescu
  • The Enygma of Enescu
  • The Enygma of Enescu
Enescu: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Olympia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Enescu, GeorgesEnescu, Georges | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
OverturesOvertures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
SymphoniesSymphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
Modern & 20th CenturyModern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Enescu: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 2

ASIN: B000003W84
Release Date: 1994-06-28

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars The brilliance of the youthful Enescu.......2003-10-09

The problem for George Enescu was that he had so many irons in the fire! He is remembered by many as being one of the great violin virtuosi of the 20th century, and also for his violin pedagogy. However, he also was equally accomplished as a piano virtuoso & as a conductor. He also happened to be a composer, and might have been remembered as one of the all-time greats had he focused more on composition. His talent was such that he had to try and move in all directions.

As a result, his output is relatively small, even though he lived 74 years. Of the three works on this CD, one was written at age 16, one at age 24, and the last at age 68. His first symphony has an opus number of 13; his Overture on Popular Romanian Themes has an opus number of 32, but written over 40 years later! It is a true shame in many ways.

Fortunately, what little he did write is of a very high quality. This CD focuses primarily on the works of his youth: two symphonies, both in E flat, both with 3 movements, written about 7 years apart. The 4th study symphony (with no opus #) reflects the heavy influence of Wagner throughout. The Symphony #1 is an amazingly mature work for a 24-year-old. The Wagnerian influence still permeates, but is skillfully blended with many french nuances, no doubt the result of Enescu's years in Paris studying with Massenet. However, this is hardly a derivitave piece: the 3rd movement clearly demonstrates a Balkan sound which would be closely associated with Enescu.

The decision to flank these two youthful works around one of Enescu's later compositions was a very good one, and serves to provide contrast between his youthful exuberance and the darker quality of later works, especially this one which was written after WWII (Enescu remained in Romania throughout the war).

All of the volumes in the Olympia series reveal the brilliance of Enescu the composer, which we do not totally appreciate. If you know Enescu only for his Romanian Rhapsody, you will appreciate the complexity and subtlety of his other compositions.

5 out of 5 stars The Enygma of Enescu.......2000-08-26

George Enescu is one of the great misteries of classical music. As a child he was so prodigious as to have written 4 study symphonies on the age of 15. His first symphony was writtem when he was almost 17 and reveals a radiant,colourfull yet innovative kind of music for his time.

Enescu was discribed by Casalas as the most brilliant and gifted composer since Mozart,but his orchestral works are hardly played or recorded.

The wonderfull world of enescu's music,so unjustified neglected by the public, is full of joy,vividness,folk tunes yet innovative and extreme craftmanship of using all kind of musical keys.

The Olympia series of CD's dedicated to Enescu orchestral works ranks the best for its performance and sound and The Rumanian State Orchestra under the button of Andereescu do marvellous to all this works.

As a last chance for all those who charish Enescu's works and for a bargain price before going out of stock You must hurry and put example of this masterpieces in your collection.

5 out of 5 stars The Enygma of Enescu.......2000-08-26

George Enescu is one of the great misteries of classical music. As a child he was so prodigious as to have written 4 study symphonies on the age of 15. His first symphony was writtem when he was almost 17 and reveals a radiant,colourfull yet innovative kind of music for his time.

Enescu was discribed by Casalas as the most brilliant and gifted composer since Mozart,but his orchestral works are hardly played or recorded.

The wonderfull world of enescu's music,so unjustified neglected by the public, is full of joy,vividness,folk tunes yet innovative and extreme craftmanship of using all kind of musical keys.

The Olympia series of CD's dedicated to Enescu orchestral works ranks the best for its performance and sound and The Rumanian State Orchestra under the button of Andereescu do marvellous to all this works.

As a last chance for all those who charish Enescu's works and for a bargain price before going out of stock You must hurry and put example of this masterpieces in your collection.
Enescu: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 4
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • The art of the sustained melodic line
Enescu: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 4

Manufacturer: Olympia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Enescu, GeorgesEnescu, Georges | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
SuitesSuites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
SymphoniesSymphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music | Baroque | Classical | General | Modern & 20th Century | Romantic | Sinfonia | Sinfonia Concertante
CelloCello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
General ContemporaryGeneral Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000003W87
Release Date: 1995-05-25

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars The art of the sustained melodic line.......2003-10-15

This CD contains my single favorite composition by Enescu, the Orchestral Suite #1. For my money, it is the most beautiful piece he wrote, and features a first movement scored almost exclusively for the violins (and a little percussion). With a single melodic line & no harmony or counterpoint, Enescu is able to demonstrate the fine art of the sustained melodic line. It is not every composer who is capable of doing this. The 1st movement flows into the achingly beautiful 2nd movement. A brief, reflective 3rd movment, and the piece concludes with a dramatic finale.

The CD also includes the superb Symphonie Concertante for Cello & Orchestra, written just before the Orchestral Suite #1. Again, this piece displays Enescu's great gift for constructing a flowing melodic line, although the spirit & mood of this piece is significantly different than that of the Suite. Also included are Two Intermezzi for String Orchestra, also written around the same time (just after the famous Romanian Rhapsodies). The Intermezzi are very brief pieces, but elegant & well-crafted.

The first two movements of the Suite #1 are sometimes performed in concert by themselves. To appreciate their full beauty, one should listen to the Suite in its entirety. This CD provides an excellent performance of a truly beautiful piece.
An Evening With The Hollywood Bowl
Average customer rating: Not rated
    An Evening With The Hollywood Bowl

    Manufacturer: Angel Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    DancesDances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
    PavanesPavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
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    WaltzesWaltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
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    Ballets & DancesBallets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    Ballets & DancesBallets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
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    GeneralGeneral | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
    GuitarGuitar | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
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    RomancesRomances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    FrenchFrench | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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    ClassicalClassical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
    ASIN: B000002SDE
    Release Date: 1995-10-17

    Tracks:

    1. William Tell (Overture)
    2. Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66 (Waltz)
    3. NOrwegian Dance, Op. 35, No. 2
    4. Sylvia (Pizzicato Polka)
    5. L'Arlesienne (Farandole)
    6. Serenade For Strings, Op. 48 (Waltz)
    7. La Boheme (Act 1 Love Scene)
    8. Hugarian Dance No. 6 In D-Flat Major
    9. Le Cid (Aragonaise)
    10. Live, Laugh And Love Waltz, Op. 263
    11. Polonaise In A Major, Op. 40, No. 1 'Military'
    12. The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71: Ouverture Miniature
    13. The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71: March
    14. The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71: Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
    15. The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71: Trepak
    16. The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71: Arabian Dance
    17. The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71: Chinese Dance
    18. The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71: Dance Of The Mirlitons
    19. The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71: Waltz Of The Flowers

    Tracks:

    1. Light Cavalry Overture
    2. Bacchanale: Samson et Dalila, Op. 47
    3. Voices Of Spring Waltz, Op. 410
    4. Madama Butterfly (Act I Love Duet)
    5. Slavonic Dance In E Minor, Op. 72, No. 2
    6. Danube Waves Waltz
    7. Danzas Espanolas, Op. 37: Andaluza, From Danzas Espanolas, Op. 37
    8. Marche Slave, Op. 31
    9. A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 21 And Op. 61 -Suite: Overture
    10. A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 21 And Op. 61 - Suite: Scherzo
    11. A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op. 21 And Op. 61 - Suite: Wedding March

    Tracks:

    1. The Bartered Bride - Overture
    2. Carmen (Chanson Boheme)
    3. Jota Aragonesa
    4. The Red Poppy (Russian Sailor's Dance)
    5. To Spring, Op. 43, No. 6
    6. Hungarian Dance No. 4 In F Minor
    7. There Is Only One Girl In The World
    8. Romanian Rhapsody, No. 1
    9. Capriccio Italien, Op. 45 (Finale)
    10. Erotique, Op. 43, No. 5
    11. Tsar Saltan: Flight Of The Bumble Bee - Michale Rabin
    12. Thais: Meditation - Michael Rabin
    13. An American In Paris - Leonard Pennario

    Tracks:

    1. 1812 Overture, Op. 49
    2. On The Beautiful Blue Danube
    3. Espana
    4. Varen (The Last Spring), Op. 34, No. 2
    5. Sabre Dance, From The Ballet Gayaneh
    6. Quartet In D Major, Op. 11: Andante Cantabile
    7. Slavonic Dance In G Minor, Op. 46, No. 8
    8. Orchestral Suite No. 3 In D Major, BWV 1068: Air
    9. Laiserwalzer (Emperor Waltz)
    10. Bolero

    Tracks:

    1. Tales From The Vienna Woods Waltz, Op. 325
    2. Le Cid (Navarraise)
    3. Hungarian Rhapsody, No. 14
    4. Zigeunerweisen - Michael Rabin
    5. Introduction And Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28 - Michael Rabin
    6. I Love You, Op. 5, No. 3
    7. You And You Waltz, Op. 367
    8. Pavane pour une infante defunte
    9. Radetzky March, Op. 228
    10. Espana Waltz
    11. Capriccio Espagnol, Op. 34
    Enescu:Orchestral Works, Vol.4
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Enescu:Orchestral Works, Vol.4

      Manufacturer: Ottavo Recordings
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      Enescu, GeorgesEnescu, Georges | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
      SuitesSuites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
      CelloCello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
      ASIN: B000003VE9
      Release Date: 1995-10-24
      Enescu:Orchestral Works, Vol.4
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Enescu:Orchestral Works, Vol.4

        Manufacturer: Ottavo Recordings
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        Enescu, GeorgesEnescu, Georges | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        SuitesSuites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        CelloCello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
        ASIN: B00000DH2C
        Release Date: 2006-10-24
        Enescu: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 2
        Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
        • A wonderful showcase of Enescu's diversity
        Enescu: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 2

        Manufacturer: Olympia
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        Enescu, GeorgesEnescu, Georges | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        SymphoniesSymphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
        General ContemporaryGeneral Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
        Modern & 20th CenturyModern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
        ASIN: B000003W85
        Release Date: 1994-08-02

        Tracks:

        1. Sym No.2 in A, Op.17: I. Vivace, ma non troppo
        2. Sym No.2 in A, Op.17: II. Andante giusto
        3. Sym No.2 in A, Op.17: III. Un poco lento, marziale.Allegro vivace, marziale
        4. Romanian Rhap in A, Op.11 No.1
        5. Romanian Rhap in D, Op.11 No.2

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars A wonderful showcase of Enescu's diversity.......2003-10-11

        This CD contains the two best-known of Enescu's orchestral works, the Romanian Rhapsodies composed in 1901 & 1902, when Enescu was only 21. The first Rhapsody is a flashy orchestral showpiece which continues to be performed regularly and can be found on any number of albums featuring flashy crowd-pleasing orchestral confections.

        The nice thing about this CD is that it also contains Enescu's 2nd Symphony, written more than a decade later. Where the Rhapsodies are relatively short and full of dazzling orchestral color and folk themes, the 2nd Symphony is the longest of Enescu's symphonies and features some of the most sophisticated thematic development that Enescu would ever write. Full of long, flowing, lyrical lines, the Symphony shows Enescu to be one of the true masters of the genre.

        An interesting comparison is that between the 1st Symphony (found on volume 1 of this collection) and the 2nd Symphony. Where the 1st Symphony shows the significant influence of Wagner & also French composers like Massenet, the 2nd Symphony shows Enescu having come clearly into his own as a composer. The Romanian flavor is much more in evidence in the 2nd Symphony. Had Enescu written more than three symphonies, he undoubtedly would have exerted a profound influence on the development of the symphonic form in the 20th century.

        The performance & sound quality is outstanding as usual. This CD shows the wonderful contrast in styles that Enescu could provide.
        George Enescu: Orchestral Works (Box Set)
        Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
        • A Solid Set of Consistently Good Music
        • Something closer to an actual review of this Box Set
        • World War I
        George Enescu: Orchestral Works (Box Set)

        Manufacturer: Arte Nove Int'l
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        Enescu, GeorgesEnescu, Georges | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        SuitesSuites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        OverturesOvertures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
        SymphoniesSymphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
        General ContemporaryGeneral Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
        Modern & 20th CenturyModern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
        ClassicalClassical | Imports | Stores | Music
        Similar Items:
        1. George Enescu: Poème Roumain; Vox Maris; Voix de la Nature
        2. Enescu: String Quartets 1 & 2
        3. Enescu: Piano Quintet / Piano Quartet 2
        4. George Enescu: Octuor for Double String Quartet, Op. 7; Dixtour for Wind Instruments, Op. 14
        5. Rorem: Double Concerto for Violin and Cello; After Reading Shakespeare

        ASIN: B000025WZ6
        Release Date: 2002-10-29

        Tracks:

        1. Romanian Rhapsody No.1 Op.11 A Major
        2. Suite No.2 Op.20 C Major (Interlude)
        3. Suite No.2 Op.20 C Major (Sarabande)
        4. Suite No.2 Op.20 C Major (Gigue)
        5. Suite No.2 Op.20 C Major (Menuet Grave)
        6. Suite No.2 Op.20 C Major (Air)
        7. Suite No.2 Op.20 C Major (Bourree)
        8. Suite No.3 Op.27 D Major "Villageoise" (Renouveau Champetre)
        9. Suite No.3 Op.27 D Major "Villageoise" (Gamins En Plein Air)
        10. Suite No.3 Op.27 D Major "Villageoise" (La Vieille Maison De L'enfance)
        11. Suite No.3 Op.27 D Major "Villageoise" (Riviere Sous La Lune)
        12. Suite No.3 Op.27 D Major "Villageoise" (Danses Rustiques)
        13. Rhapsody No.2
        14. Symphony No.2 (Vivace, Ma Non Troppo)
        15. Symphony No.2 (Andante Giusto)
        16. Symphony No.2 (Un Poco Lento, Marziale - Allegro Vivace)
        17. Symphony No.3 C Major Op.21 (Moderato, Un Poco Mosso)
        18. Symphony No.3 C Major Op.21 (Vivace Ma Non Troppo - Largo Pesante)
        19. Symphony No.3 C Major Op.21 (Lento Ma Non Troppo)
        20. Concert Overture A Major Op.32
        21. Suite D'orchestre C Major No.1 Op.9 (Prelude A L'unisson)
        22. Suite D'orchestre C Major No.1 Op.9 (Menuet Lent)
        23. Suite D'orchestre C Major No.1 Op.9 (Intermede (Gravement)
        24. Suite D'orchestre C Major No.1 Op.9 (Finale (Vif)
        25. Intermede Op.12 (Allegrement)
        26. Intermede Op.12 (Tres Lent)
        27. Symphony No.1 E Flat Major Op.13 (Assez Vif Et Rythme)
        28. Symphony No.1 E Flat Major Op.13 (Lent)
        29. Symphony No.1 E Flat Major Op.13 (Vif Et Vigoureux)

        Album Details

        Ddd. Special Edition Four CD Box-set of Orchestral Works by George Enescu.

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars A Solid Set of Consistently Good Music.......2006-06-13

        Enescu does not fall into any "category" of composers. He's not a romantic (although much of the early-to middle Enescu appeals to romantic sensibilities), he's not a nationalist (although a couple of the early works express some nationalism), he's not the most modern (that is, he's not ugly for ugly's sake), not an impressionist (although his time in Paris had a very noticeable impact, but like so many others, i.e. Stravinsky, Vaughan Williams, Villa-Lobos, this influence didn't so much make him French or impressionistic as it made him much more himself), but one of the great 20th century composers who forged his own individual style. Don't bother buying individual CD's of Enescu's orchestral music, just go ahead and get the box set; every piece is good!

        So why 4 stars? Despite the overall brilliance here, I think there will be better interpretations of some of this music in the future. The complex 2nd symphony needs another serious look by other orchestras, and there are moments when, judging from some of the extremely well-recorded chamber music of Enescu, one can tell that certain details are not played with full conviction. But don't let that stop you from giving this a chance--the music is all great, and this is a reasonably cost-efficient way to get to know it.

        The first orchestral suite opens with a movement for strings in unison, followed by a soothing and sentimental second. The final movement has a bit of good-old explosive romantic power, which may remind you a little of Grieg's famous "Peer Gynt."

        The two intermezzi are lovely, but you will find the first symphony a much more powerful statement, which should be an immediately satisfying experience for lovers of late-romantic symphonic repertoire.

        The Romanian Rhapsodies are the most famous (especially the first) of his works, and are given lively interpretations here. The first is a thrill ride of folk tunes that may have you dancing before the end, and the second is a bit more reflective, but has some beautiful harmonies. These works are the easiest to "get." You can immediately hear the folk influence, and if that is your cup of tea, you might listen to these first.

        The 2nd symphony is one of Enescu's more difficult orchestral works, and probably the closest he ever came in style to Shostakovich. It has a few sections of some rather grinding force, but with repeat listening its intricasies become somewhat clearer.

        The 3rd symphony, as you might expect, is the greatest in scope and achievement of the three. We might have hoped for something like this from Ravel had he lived longer--you might hear some Ravelian charm as the chorus sings in the 3rd movement in which the interplay between voice and orchestra is a bit like Ravel's 2nd Daphnis et Chloe suite, but in this case the effect has much more magnitude. Enescu's inspiration for this music began with a Dante-esque vision of paradise. Here we have the mature Enescu, writing gorgeous melodies that just keep going, without sentimentality or even nationalism; this is much more universal.

        The 2nd and 3rd orchestral suites are also some of his finest works. The 2nd, as the previous reviewer reports, has much in common with the Rhapsodies, and a bit of Baroque inspiration too. The 3rd, the most modern piece on this set, ought to be represented as well as Bartok's concerto for orchestra; it deserves a similar reputation, and should force previous non-believers to ponder how this music has been sidelined for so long. In the later works of Enescu, it gets more difficult to compare them to anything, because he truly formed his own style.

        5 out of 5 stars Something closer to an actual review of this Box Set.......2006-01-03

        It's something of a miracle that I even ordered this 4 CD Box Set after reading the only existing review of it on Amazon. In any event, I delayed listening to the music on the presumption that the lone reviewer had something cogent to say about the weaknesses of Enesco's work. Well, lowered expectations or not, this was an exceptionally good album. The 2nd and 3rd symphonies are outstanding works, as are the suites. I have no idea why the 2nd Suite isn't as popular as the first Roumanian Rhapsody, as it's clearly its equal in melodic bite and sass.

        So, how well does this Roumanian orchestra play that famous rhapsody? I'm used to the Bernstein and Dorati versions, so this take was surprising in many respects. One must defer to Roumanians in the interpretation of Roumanian music, so in many instances I came to accept this idiomatic version as superior to the previous ones. The exceptions were few and far apart (but the astute listener will realize that Western performance practice has not folded back into Roumania).

        No performance on these 4 CDs is anything short of excellent, and there is much exciting, stunningly beautiful music to be discovered here. Virtually no disappointments could be listed. The previous reviewer lists a historic performance circumstance as some kind of evidence that a piece wasn't worth auditioning -- but are we to assume that no great art is ever overlooked? Run through these works of Enesco's and you'll conclude that this IS great music that HAS been overlooked. Even, perhaps, by the previous reviewer.

        I will tell you one surprise: I had a hard time discerning any strong Roumanian nationalist flavor in much of the music. The CD booklets shed some light on this: Enesco was a Roumanian attempting to adopt Western aesthetics, not a Western musician on a nationalistic musical jihad. Once grasped, you come to realize that Enesco shouldn't be approached as a strict "nationalist composer," despite his outspoken advocacy for Roumanian musical culture. Accordingly, you can hear eclectic streaks in his works (lots of soaring Straussian lines with matching harmonizations, for example), as befits a master orchestrator with a strong melodic instinct. When you hear an unknown work of Janacek or Martinu, you're prone to think "this sounds kind of Czech," but less than a third of the works in this box set would provoke you to say, "this sounds really Roumanian!" Don't let that scare you away though: since when is it written that music has to be slavishly nationalistic to be great?

        4 out of 5 stars World War I.......2004-07-07

        Something happened to George Enescu, who had composed some pretty good music prior to WWI. Romanian Rhapsody No. 1 is fine fiddling, but some like Symphony 2 were so disorganized that it only had one performance during his lifetime and someone who didn't have to pay royalties brought it out after his death.
        The Symphony N. 2 does force me to concentrate, and to my amazement my blood sugar went down to 111 at 5PM. I was trying to make some sense out of it.
        As near as I can figure, Enescu tried to form a society that encouaged composition. Bucharest Philharmonic George Enescu Orchestra was named after him when he died in Paris in 1955. He has performed and recorded the violin reperatory after leaving Romania because of Soviet Realism's deadening effects. This 4 CD set has much of his published works.
        Enescu: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 1
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Enescu: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol. 1

          Manufacturer: Olympia
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          Enescu, GeorgesEnescu, Georges | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
          OverturesOvertures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
          SymphoniesSymphonies | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
          Modern & 20th CenturyModern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
          ASIN: B0000260ID
          Release Date: 1994-01-01

          Tracks:

          1. Symphony No.1 In E Flat Major, Op.13: I. Assez vif et rythme
          2. Symphony No.1 In E Flat Major, Op.13: II. Lent
          3. Symphony No.1 In E Flat Major, Op.13: III. Vif et vigoureux
          4. Overture On Popular Romanian Themes In A Major, Op.32
          5. Study SYmphony (no.4) in E flat major: I. Molto vivace
          6. Study SYmphony (no.4) in E flat major: II. Andante
          7. Study SYmphony (no.4) in E flat major: III. Vivace - Meno mosso - Vivace. Prestissimo
          Enescu: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol.5
          Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
          • Enescu the neo-classicist
          Enescu: Complete Orchestral Works, Vol.5

          Manufacturer: Olympia
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          Enescu, GeorgesEnescu, Georges | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
          SuitesSuites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
          SymphoniesSymphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music | Baroque | Classical | General | Modern & 20th Century | Romantic | Sinfonia | Sinfonia Concertante
          GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
          ASIN: B000003W9I
          Release Date: 1995-08-22

          Amazon.com

          The Baroque orchestral suite, in which a grand overture was followed by a suite of dances, survived well into our century. Enescu's Second Suite is a case in point. True to form, it begins with a movement called "Overture" and continues with a selection of Baroque-style dances; only the tunes are just as likely to derive from Romanian folk music. A delightful work. The Third Suite, by contrast, abandons any Baroque pretensions and simply illustrates life in a Romanian village. It's a late piece, very sophisticated and refined. Both suites are played and conducted only as people who know and love the music well can. --David Hurwitz

          Customer Reviews:

          5 out of 5 stars Enescu the neo-classicist.......2003-10-18

          Before Stravinsky & Prokofiev ever moved into the realm of neo-classicism, Enescu had written (in 1915) his Orchestral Suite #2, which demonstrates a mastery of this idiom. The Orchestral Suite #3 (written in 1938) has, on occasion, elements of neo-classicism, but on whole has more of a rustic folk-music feel to it. This, by no means, implies that the suite is simply a re-hashing of the folk elements found almost 4 decades earlier in the Romanian Rhapsodies. On the contrary, there are times when it reminds me of Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra, not be written for several years. In other words, both Suites are most definitely contemporary works. Enescu was not simply late-romantic dinosaur who remained entrenched in the music of the 19th century for the rest of his life. His later compositions very much indicate a composer very much in touch with the development of 20th century music.

          In a delightful touch, the CD concludes with the Andantino, a study piece written by the 15-year-old Enescu in 1896. One would never know that this mature, polished, technically confident work is a mere study piece written by a teenager. It explains why Enescu's contemporaries held him in such awe and respect.

          Music Review:

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          2. Haydn: Masses
          3. Heiner Goebbels: Surrogate Cities
          4. Hommage à Jane Bathori: The Inspiring Muse
          5. Ignis
          6. Irving Fine Celebration - Great Performances from the Library of Congress, Volume 16
          7. Israel in Egypt
          8. Italian Renaissance Dances
          9. Jean Sibelius: Lemminkäinen Legends, Op 22/En Saga, Op 9
          10. Jean-Yves Thibaudet - Ravel: Piano Concertos, etc.

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