Knussen Conducts Knussen

1. Flourish with Fireworks, Op 22 Revised in 1993
Composed by Oliver Knussen
with London Sinfonietta
Conducted by Oliver Knussen

2. The Way to Castle Yonder, Pot-pourri for orchestra after the opera Higglety Pigglety Pop!, Op 21a The Journey to the Big White House
Composed by Oliver Knussen
with London Sinfonietta
Conducted by Oliver Knussen

3. The Way to Castle Yonder, Pot-pourri for orchestra after the opera Higglety Pigglety Pop!, Op 21a Kleine Trauermusik
Composed by Oliver Knussen
with London Sinfonietta
Conducted by Oliver Knussen

4. The Way to Castle Yonder, Pot-pourri for orchestra after the opera Higglety Pigglety Pop!, Op 21a The Ride to Castle Yonder
Composed by Oliver Knussen
with London Sinfonietta
Conducted by Oliver Knussen

5. Organa (2), for large ensemble, Op 27 Notre Dame des Jouets
Composed by Oliver Knussen
with London Sinfonietta
Conducted by Oliver Knussen

6. Organa (2), for large ensemble, Op 27 Organum to honour the 20th anniversary of the Schönberg ensemble
Composed by Oliver Knussen
with London Sinfonietta
Conducted by Oliver Knussen

7. Concerto for horn & orchestra, Op 28 Revised in 1995
Composed by Oliver Knussen
with London Sinfonietta , Barry Tuckwell
Conducted by Oliver Knussen

8. Music for a Puppet Court for 2 chamber orchestras, Op. 11 Puzzle I: Iste tenor ascendit; revised in 1983
Composed by Oliver Knussen
with London Sinfonietta
Conducted by Oliver Knussen

9. Music for a Puppet Court for 2 chamber orchestras, Op. 11 Toyshop music (After "tris"); revised in 1983
Composed by Oliver Knussen
with London Sinfonietta
Conducted by Oliver Knussen

10. Music for a Puppet Court for 2 chamber orchestras, Op. 11 Antiphon (After "Iste tenor ascendit..."); revised in 1983
Composed by Oliver Knussen
with London Sinfonietta
Conducted by Oliver Knussen

11. Music for a Puppet Court for 2 chamber orchestras, Op. 11 Puzzle II: "Tris..." (revised in 1983)
Composed by Oliver Knussen
with London Sinfonietta
Conducted by Oliver Knussen

12. Whitman Settings, Op 25 When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer
Composed by Oliver Knussen
with London Sinfonietta , Lucy Shelton
Conducted by Oliver Knussen

13. Whitman Settings, Op 25 A Noiseless Patient Spider
Composed by Oliver Knussen
with London Sinfonietta , Lucy Shelton
Conducted by Oliver Knussen

14. Whitman Settings, Op 25 The Dalliance of the Eagles
Composed by Oliver Knussen
with London Sinfonietta , Lucy Shelton
Conducted by Oliver Knussen

15. Whitman Settings, Op 25 The voice of the Rain
Composed by Oliver Knussen
with London Sinfonietta , Lucy Shelton
Conducted by Oliver Knussen

16. "...upon one note," fantazia after Purcell, for clarinet, piano & string trio
Composed by Oliver Knussen
with Michael Collins , John Constable , Christopher van Kampen , London Sinfonietta
Conducted by Oliver Knussen

Product Description

Amazon.com
Oliver Knussen (b. 1952 in Glasgow, Scotland) is his generation's equivalent of Boulez, except that his ideas are more youthful and appeal less to the advanced intellect. This isn't to say that Knussen hasn't his rough edges. But this collection highlights his shorter works for orchestra (and voice), and his inventiveness and playfulness shine through. Of note here are Flourish with Fireworks (1988, 1993), the suite to The Way to Castle Yonder (1988-90) and Music for a Puppet Court (1972-73, 1983). Whitman Settings (1991-92) for soprano and orchestra is the only disappointment here. Lucy Shelton, for all her range, makes the words incoherent. --Paul Cook

Tracks:

Flourish With Fireworks, Op. 22
The Way To Castle Yonder, Op. 21a: 1. The Journey To The Big White House
The Way To Castle Yonder, Op. 21a: 2. Kleine Trauermusik -
The Way To Castle Yonder, Op. 21a: 3. The Ride To Castle Yonder
Two Organa For Large Ensemble, Op. 27: 1. Notre Dame des Jouets
Two Organa For Large Ensemble, Op. 27: 2. Organum To Honour The 20th Anniversary Of The Schrg Ensemble
Horn Concerto, Op. 28: Intrada -
Horn Concerto, Op. 28: Fantastico -
Horn Concerto, Op. 28: Cadenza -
Horn Concerto, Op. 28: Envoi
Music For A Puppet Court, Op. 11: 1. Puzzle I
Music For A Puppet Court, Op. 11: 2. Toyshop Music
Music For A Puppet Court, Op. 11: 3. Antiphon
Music For A Puppet Court, Op. 11: 4. Puzzle II
Whitman Settings (For Soprano And Orchestra), Op.25a: 1. When I Heard The Learn'd Astronomer
Whitman Settings (For Soprano And Orchestra), Op.25a: 2. A Noiseless Patient Spider
Whitman Settings (For Soprano And Orchestra), Op.25a: The Dalliance Of The Eagles
Whitman Settings (For Soprano And Orchestra), Op.25a: 4. The Voice Of The Rain
'... Upon One Note', Fantazia After Purcell

Amazon.com

Oliver Knussen (b. 1952 in Glasgow, Scotland) is his generation's equivalent of Boulez, except that his ideas are more youthful and appeal less to the advanced intellect. This isn't to say that Knussen hasn't his rough edges. But this collection highlights his shorter works for orchestra (and voice), and his inventiveness and playfulness shine through. Of note here are Flourish with Fireworks (1988, 1993), the suite to The Way to Castle Yonder (1988-90) and Music for a Puppet Court (1972-73, 1983). Whitman Settings (1991-92) for soprano and orchestra is the only disappointment here. Lucy Shelton, for all her range, makes the words incoherent. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

WHEN MUSIC BECOMES A KNUSSEN(CE).......2000-12-09

What I find absolutely flabbergasting about Knussen's music is that it's given credibility. Arguably, composers of modern vintage must have their say, and I have nothing against this. Music always moves forward; yet, for me, it must say something. I don't consider a mere conglomeration of notes, random or otherwise, a musical composition simply because it exists on paper, concert hall, in the minds of music "critics," or on CD.

What impresses me the most here is the complete absence of musical inspiration, invention or depth. What depresses me is the sheer banality of this music, the pretense.

Even the most "conservative" material--- the Horn Concerto, Op. 28, with Tuckwell at the blowhole--- fails to ensure success. It's all a vacuous, modernistic rehash. The Way to Castle Yonder sounds ludicrously derivative of Ligeti and music made popular in the 70s. It doesn't work. Music for a Puppet Court, Op. 11, culls whatever meager melody it can from the inspiration of 16th century composer, John Lloyd, and is attractive for about two minutes. The Whitman Settings (For Soprano and Orchestra) are wretchedly stark, dissonant and annoying pieces. Lucy Shelton helps matters none with her intolerable wailing, warbling and screeching.

Yet another case of "The Emperor's New Clothes." Unfortunately, Knussen's "work" is even more threadbare than most.

[Running time: 51:17]

stranded on a deserted island.......2000-08-18

I think that this would be one of the 5 CDs I would want to take along with me. For those unaware of British conductor/composer Oliver Knussen's precocious beginnings--he conducted the London Symphony in his Symphony No. 1 at age 15. Perhaps a "modern day Mozart" might be too strong, because it would imply a prolific amount of work (compositions) to show for it: but 'wunderkind' will do. Decades later, admirers of his work eagerly await the next masterpiece. His music simply 'sparkles' The listener is confronted with a density of melodic ideas (similar to polyphonic and polyrhythmic lines of Elliott Carter). While Carter's music can seem 'too much' for the ears to confront, Knussen's keen orchestration is so clear and lucid that in spite of the many lines going on, you can follow any and/or all at the same time. The disc opener "Fireworks with Flourish" is a kaleidoscopic fanfare unrivaled in contemporary music. Based on the "Feu d'Artifice" of Stravinsky, listening to them back to back one can hear hints peaking through the surface and texture of the Knussen, but he still retains his own compositional voice. My other favorite is the first of the Whitman Settings, for soprano and orchestra, "A Noiseless Patient Spider" sung exquisitely by Lucy Shelton. What can I say, Knussen's command of the orchestra is everywhere evident. He can have the full orchestra blasting different musical lines against the soprano, but she can ALWAYS be heard and understood. It is a must-have disc. If you are a listener curious what is being written in the here-and-now, but were never sure what to buy. This would be one of the best discs to purchase.

Wonderful music; wish Knussen composed more........1999-12-09

One just wishes there were more Knussen cds. All of the works on this disc are gems. The music snaps, dazzles, celebrates. But the Horn Concerto is the center piece of the disc, a 14-minute inspiration balancing the distant sonority of Barry Tuckwell's Horn against the closer, more rapid orchestral flurries. You'll come back to this work again and again. Knussen's a great conductor, but I wish he'd conduct less and compose more.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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