Kancheli: Vom Wind Beweint; Schnittke: Konzert Für Viola und Orchester

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Both these concertos are characterized by violent contrasts of dynamics, character, texture, and mood. Kancheli calls his work, dedicated to a departed friend, a liturgy. Long passages of motionless single-note drones induce a hypnotic sense of stasis. In four continuous movements, without form or development, it has terrifying orchestral crashes, whispered two-note undulations by the viola, dark, mournful melodies, and lovely folksong- and hymn-like tunes supported by simple tonal harmonies. The ultimate impression is mournful, devotional, and mesmerizingly beautiful. The Schnittke Concerto employs his characteristic "polystylistic," sometimes-chaotic mix of the old and the new. Intense and wild, with big leaps, dissonances, and cadenzas, it opens with a long, eloquent viola solo; the second movement, a "restless chase," sounds like a grotesque waltz; the Finale is a strongly autobiographical, death-haunted lament. The total emotional impact, aided by a terrific, riveting performance, is shattering. --Edith Eisler

Tracks:

Vom Winde beweint: Liturgie fur grosses Orchester und Solo-Viola: Largo molto
Vom Winde beweint: Liturgie fur grosses Orchester und Solo-Viola: Allegro moderato
Vom Winde beweint: Liturgie fur grosses Orchester und Solo-Viola: Larghetto
Vom Winde beweint: Liturgie fur grosses Orchester und Solo-Viola: Andante maestoso
Konzert fur Viola und Orchester: Largo
Konzert fur Viola und Orchester: Allegro molto
Konzert fur Viola und Orchester: Largo

Amazon.com

Both these concertos are characterized by violent contrasts of dynamics, character, texture, and mood. Kancheli calls his work, dedicated to a departed friend, a liturgy. Long passages of motionless single-note drones induce a hypnotic sense of stasis. In four continuous movements, without form or development, it has terrifying orchestral crashes, whispered two-note undulations by the viola, dark, mournful melodies, and lovely folksong- and hymn-like tunes supported by simple tonal harmonies. The ultimate impression is mournful, devotional, and mesmerizingly beautiful. The Schnittke Concerto employs his characteristic "polystylistic," sometimes-chaotic mix of the old and the new. Intense and wild, with big leaps, dissonances, and cadenzas, it opens with a long, eloquent viola solo; the second movement, a "restless chase," sounds like a grotesque waltz; the Finale is a strongly autobiographical, death-haunted lament. The total emotional impact, aided by a terrific, riveting performance, is shattering. --Edith Eisler

Track Listings:

Track Listings

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Champagne Taste

The Later Jin Singles: The Promised Land

Love & Consequences

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Italian Opera-First Recordings

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Moon Country: The Music of Hoagy Carmichael

In An Expression of the Inexpressible

Lamb for Supper: Live 2001 [Live]

Music: 05/03 [Import]

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Solo Piano