Arthur Berger: The Complete Orchestral Music

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
There may come a day when Arthur Berger (b. 1912), with his twin talents as composer and critic, will be regarded as his generation’s Robert Schumann, who likewise excelled at both. Their impact on the music and thought of their respective eras is similar. Both composed works of great beauty, while maintaining a keen ear for the musical achievements of others—Schumann instrumental in Brahms’ success, Berger championing the work of Ives, Copland and many others.

Berger freely acknowledges beginning his mature career as a neo-classicist—taking the lead from Copland and mid-century Stravinsky—then shifting his methods to twelve-tone processes in the mid-fifties, influenced by Schoenberg and Webern. But ferreting out supposed mentors proves nothing more than intellectual name-dropping with a composer like Berger, whose own voice is so distinctive. Berger’s synthesis of neo-classical and dodecaphonic approaches marks him as the foremost arbitrator between the two camps. Berger’s compositional output is small. These five short works, none longer than fifteen minutes—Ideas of Order (1952) Perspectives II (1985) Serenade Concertante (1944, rev. 1951), Prelude, Aria and Waltz (1982), and Polyphony (1956)—comprise his entire orchestral effort, and several of these pieces are themselves re-workings of previous settings. These compositions span five decades, yet Berger’s language has an unmistakable underlying consistency. Two identifiable ingredients characterize these symphonic works: beautiful surface textures juxtaposed with adventurous rhythmic and harmonic experimentation. The former make each work compelling from the first listen; the latter reward careful study and reveal the depth of Berger’s craft.

Of related interest:
80308 Arthur Berger—Five Pieces for Piano, Septet
80360 Arthur Berger—Duo for Cello and Piano, Quartet for Winds, Trio for Guitar, Violin, and Piano, and other works
80536 Arthur Berger—Composition for Piano Four-Hands, Perspectives III, Suite for Piano Four-Hands

Arthur Berger: The Complete Orchestral Music, Music, Ron Haroutunian, Ian Greitzer, Arthur Berger, Gil Rose, Ann Bobo, Peggy Pearson, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Joanna Kurkowicz, 20th/21st Century Occasional Music, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Orchestral, Orchestral & Symphonic, Orchestral Music
The Complete American Decca Recordings
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A long overdue collection by one of the English masters of the clarinet.
  • Great Collection
 The Complete American Decca Recordings

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

WaltzesWaltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
QuintetsQuintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Bartók, Béla | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by BeethovenAll Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by BrahmsAll Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by CorelliAll Works by Corelli | Corelli, Arcangelo | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Godard, BenjaminGodard, Benjamin | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by HandelAll Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by HindemithAll Works by Hindemith | Hindemith, Paul | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by KreislerAll Works by Kreisler | Kreisler, Fritz | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by MilhaudAll Works by Milhaud | Milhaud, Darius | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Ravel, MauriceRavel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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All Works by StravinskyAll Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Vaughan Williams, RalphVaughan Williams, Ralph | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by WeberAll Works by Weber | Weber, Carl Maria von | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by DebussyAll Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
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DivertimentosDivertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
SuitesSuites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
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Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
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GeneralGeneral | Vaughan Williams, Ralph | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General ContemporaryGeneral Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
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ClarinetClarinet | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
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OboeOboe | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
RecorderRecorder | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
CelloCello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
ViolinViolin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
RomancesRomances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:
  1. Swing Low Sweet Clarinet: Reginald Kell & His Quiet Music
  2. Pierre Monteux Decca & Philips Recordings, 1956-1964
  3. Troubadour of the Piano
  4. The Complete 1950s Chopin Recordings
  5. Arturo Toscanini: The Complete Philadelphia Orchestra Recordings 1941-42

ASIN: B0009ONYPA
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

  1. I. Allegro
  2. II. Adagio
  3. III. Rondo. Allegro
  4. I. Allegro
  5. II. Larghetto
  6. III. Menuetto-Trio I/II
  7. IV. Allegretto Con Variazioni I-IV/Adagio-Allegro
  8. I. Allegro
  9. II. Andante
  10. III. Minuetto In Canone-Trio In Canone Al Rovescio
  11. IV. Allegro

Tracks:

  1. I. Allegro Maestoso
  2. II. Menuetto I-Trio
  3. III. Adagio
  4. IV. Menuetto II-Trio
  5. V. Finale. Allegro
  6. I. Allegro Con Brio - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
  7. II. Adagio - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
  8. III. Tema. 'Pria Ch'Io L'Impegno'. Allegretto-Allegro - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
  9. I. Andante - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
  10. II. Menuetto - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
  11. III. Rondeaux. Allegretto - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
  12. I. Zart Und Mit Ausdruck
  13. II. Lebhaft, Leicht-Coda: Nach Und Nach Ruhiger
  14. III. Rasch Und Mit Feuer-Coda-Schneller

Tracks:

  1. I. Allegro Con Fuoco
  2. II. Andante Con Moto
  3. III. Rondo. Allegro
  4. I. Allegro
  5. II. Adagio
  6. III. Andantino-Presto Non Assai, Ma Con Sentimento
  7. IV. Con Moto-Un Poco Meno Mosso
  8. I. Allegro - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
  9. II. Adagio - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
  10. III. Andantino Grazioso - Mieczyslaw Horszowski
  11. IV. Allegro - Mieczyslaw Horszowski

Tracks:

  1. I. Allegro Appassionato
  2. II. Andante, Un Poco Adagio
  3. III. Allegretto Grazioso
  4. IV. Vivace
  5. I. Allegro Amiabile
  6. II. Allegro Appassionato
  7. III. Andante Con Moto-Allegro
  8. I. Allegretto - Brooks Smith
  9. II. Allegro Animato - Brooks Smith
  10. III. Lento - Brooks Smith
  11. IV. Molto Allegro - Brooks Smith
  12. I. Improvisation: Tempo Rubato-Espressivo - Brooks Smith
  13. II. Modal Blues: Tempo Di Blues - Brooks Smith
  14. III. In Rhythm: Moderato - Brooks Smith
  15. I. Allegro Non Troppo - Brooks Smith
  16. II. Larghetto - Brooks Smith
  17. III. Allegro - Brooks Smith

Tracks:

  1. Premiere Rhapsodie For Clarinet And Piano
  2. I. Massig Bewegt
  3. II. Lebhaft
  4. III. Sehr Langsam
  5. V. Kleines Rondo, Gemachlich
  6. I. Sempre Piano E Molto Tranquillo
  7. II. MM=168
  8. III. MM=160
  9. I. Verbunkos (Recruiting Dance). Moderato, Ben Ritmato
  10. II. Piheno (Relaxation). Lento
  11. III. Sebes (Fast Dance). Allegro
  12. La Plus Que Lente
  13. La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin
  14. Reverie
  15. Le Petit Berger
  16. Ecstasy
  17. The Pied Piper
  18. Blue Haze
  19. Dance Of The Three Old Maids

Tracks:

  1. I. Ouverture. Vif Et Gai
  2. II. Divertissement. Anime
  3. III. Jeu. Vif
  4. IV. Introduction Et Final. Modere-Vif
  5. I. Adagio 'Lovely On The Water - Brooks Smith
  6. II. Andante Sostenuto 'Spurn Point' - Brooks Smith
  7. III. Larghetto 'Van Dieman's Land' - Brooks Smith
  8. IV. Lento 'She Borrowed Some Of Her Mother's Gold' - Brooks Smith
  9. V. Andante Tranquillo 'The Lady And The Dragon' - Brooks Smith
  10. VI. Allegro Vivace 'As I Walked Over London Bridge' - Brooks Smith
  11. Siciliana And Gigue
  12. Adagio
  13. Allegro
  14. Giga
  15. Rondino Uber Ein Thema Von Beethoven
  16. Piece En Forme De Habanera
  17. Petite Piece
  18. Roundelay
  19. Berceuse
  20. Jamaican Rumba - Brooks Smith
  21. Caprice Viennoois Op.2
  22. Liebesleid
  23. Liebesfreud
  24. Stars In My Eyes
  25. Schon Rosmarin

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A long overdue collection by one of the English masters of the clarinet........2007-01-05

The Yorkshireman Reg Kell became famous for using vibrato in the classical world when it was unfashionable. He used it tastefully, and other artists such as Jack Brymer and Emma Johnson have continued to use it. He also had a series of tutorials with Benny Goodman (for Goodman's benefit) which led to Goodman changing his embouchure from the upper teeth on mouthpiece to the upper lip - as well as lower, -on mouthpiece, which perhaps in Goodmans's case was not a good move, as he had it right the first time!.

However these recordings originally came out a very long time ago in the early days of vinyl, and a re-issue is long overdue. Kell's excursion in to light music is interesting, though he stops well short of anything resembling jazz, although he had earlier recorded one record with Bert Ambrose's band in the 1940 which was the nearest he got, - but that is not included here. His main forte is in the works of Mozart, Weber, Beethoven and Brahms, but he also plays Bartok and Templeton. It shows what an accomplished performer he was. All were recorded after he left the UK to live and play in America.

This set shows his rightful place as a performer in the history of clarinet playing. He had raised the standard of the time, and had the benefits of improved recording techniques and length of play boudaries were removed with the LP record.

5 out of 5 stars Great Collection.......2006-07-30

My only negative comment is that he rushes some of the runs; everything else is great!
Music by Arthur Berger
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Arthur Berger should be better known
 Music by Arthur Berger

Manufacturer: Composers Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. An Arthur Berger Retrospective

ASIN: B000005TVB
Release Date: 1994-03-29

Tracks:

  1. Three Pieces For Two Pianos: I. ca. 80
  2. Three Pieces For Two Pianos: II. ca. 56
  3. Three Pieces For Two Pianos: III. ca. 80
  4. Serenade Concertante
  5. String Quartet: I. Toccata
  6. String Quartet: II. Cantabile
  7. String Quartet: III. Leggiero e sotto voce
  8. String Quartet: IV. Tranquillo
  9. String Quartet: V. Intermezzo
  10. String Quartet: VI. Coda
  11. Two Episodes: I. Poco adagio
  12. Two Episodes: II. Allegro molto moderato
  13. Chamber Music for 13 Players: I. Variations
  14. Chamber Music for 13 Players: II. Allegro moderato, leggiero

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Arthur Berger should be better known.......2000-03-21

This is one of the major recordings of the music of the unusually fine composer Arthur Berger. Being one of CRI's American Masters series it is a rerelease of music from many performers over a long period. Despite some of the accoustical drawbacks of the recording of the Serenade (it is however a very good performance) this is a very fine recording. The Chamber music for 13 Players is conducted magnificantly by Gunther Schuler.

Along with "An Arthur Berger Retrospective" on New World this is a very good introduction to a warm, generous and fasatinating composer.
Arthur Berger: The Complete Orchestral Music
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Arthur Berger: The Complete Orchestral Music

    Manufacturer: New World Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    ClassicalClassical | Indie Music | Stores | Music
    ASIN: B0000DI4SP
    Release Date: 2003-10-28

    Tracks:

    1. Ideas of Order (1952)
    2. Perspectives II (1985)
    3. Serenade Concertante (1944, rev. 1951)
    4. Prelude, Aria and Waltz (1982) Prelude
    5. Prelude, Aria and Waltz (1982) Aria
    6. Prelude, Aria and Waltz (1982) Waltz
    7. Polyphony (1956)

    Album Description

    There may come a day when Arthur Berger (b. 1912), with his twin talents as composer and critic, will be regarded as his generation's Robert Schumann, who likewise excelled at both. Their impact on the music and thought of their respective eras is similar. Both composed works of great beauty, while maintaining a keen ear for the musical achievements of others—Schumann instrumental in Brahms' success, Berger championing the work of Ives, Copland and many others.

    Berger freely acknowledges beginning his mature career as a neo-classicist—taking the lead from Copland and mid-century Stravinsky—then shifting his methods to twelve-tone processes in the mid-fifties, influenced by Schoenberg and Webern. But ferreting out supposed mentors proves nothing more than intellectual name-dropping with a composer like Berger, whose own voice is so distinctive. Berger's synthesis of neo-classical and dodecaphonic approaches marks him as the foremost arbitrator between the two camps. Berger's compositional output is small. These five short works, none longer than fifteen minutes—Ideas of Order (1952) Perspectives II (1985) Serenade Concertante (1944, rev. 1951), Prelude, Aria and Waltz (1982), and Polyphony (1956)—comprise his entire orchestral effort, and several of these pieces are themselves re-workings of previous settings. These compositions span five decades, yet Berger's language has an unmistakable underlying consistency. Two identifiable ingredients characterize these symphonic works: beautiful surface textures juxtaposed with adventurous rhythmic and harmonic experimentation. The former make each work compelling from the first listen; the latter reward careful study and reveal the depth of Berger's craft.

    Of related interest:
    80308 Arthur Berger—Five Pieces for Piano, Septet
    80360 Arthur Berger—Duo for Cello and Piano, Quartet for Winds, Trio for Guitar, Violin, and Piano, and other works
    80536 Arthur Berger—Composition for Piano Four-Hands, Perspectives III, Suite for Piano Four-Hands

    Track Listings:

    1. Artur Rubinstein
    2. Bach: 4 Orchestral Suites
    3. Bach - Cantatas · 9 / Bach Collegium Japan · Suzuki
    4. Bach: The Works for Organ, Vol. 9
    5. Bartok: Bluebeard's Castle
    6. Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-5
    7. Beethoven Symphony No. 5, Piano Concerto No. 4
    8. Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 [1895 Gustav Mahler Edition]
    9. Berlioz: Overtures; Queen Mab Scherzo
    10. Bizet: L'arlesienne Suites Nos. 1 & 2, Carmen Suite, etc. [Import]

    Track Listings

    track listings

    Track Listings

    Murder Of Tides

    Sibelius: Symphony in D No2; Symphony in Ef No5

    Start Again Pt.2 [CD-single]

    Great Sax

    Diamonds to Coal

    Soul Love 80s

    Only Broadway CD You'll Ever Need [Cast Recording]

    The Best Symphonies

    Profiles

    Mozart: Symphonies No.35 "Haffner", No.40 & No.41 "Jupiter"

    Ratamacue

    Reconstruction [Import]

    Otra Vez Con Amor [Import]

    I'll Always Love You

    Bassics: Best of Ray Brown Trio 1977-2000