Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra

Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 4

We have now reached the 5th instalment in the cycle of Tchaikovsky’s symphonies with Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Neeme Järvi. Symphony No.4, which – along with No.5 – Tchaikovsky himself often referred to in the context of ‘Fate’, symbolized by a ‘fate motif’ which opens the programme and is described by the composer as: ‘This is fate, destiny, that portentous power that will not permit our quest for happiness to be successful, that jealously stands guard so that our joyfulness and peace are neither perfect nor cloudless, that hangs like the sword of Damocles above our heads and constantly, continually poisons our soul.’

Weinberg - Concertos

Much neglected until recently, the Polish-born Mieczyslaw Weinberg is now finding his rightful place in the pantheon of great twentieth-century composers, with a substantial increase in recordings and performances of his works. Our series of symphonies has contributed significantly to this reappraisal, and Chandos now adds four of his concertos to its catalogue. Weinberg’s music is full of orchestral colour and rhythmic energy. Shostakovich was his most important influence, and a close friend, describing him as ‘one of the most outstanding composers of the present day’. His music is reminiscent of Shostakovich’s, but with strong elements of Jewish folk music and klezmer. The four works recorded here cover his middle and late period, after Weinberg had escaped from Nazi-controlled Poland and settled in the Soviet Union. He was in a deeply troubled state, having lost much of his family in the Holocaust, and his association with some of the finest conductors and instrumental virtuosos of the country was to prove a vital source of moral support; all four works were written with such friends in mind. The Fantasia for Cello and Orchestra was composed in 1951 – 53 and dedicated to the composer Yuri Levitin, a pupil of Shostakovich and one of Weinberg’s closest friends. Completed at the very beginning of the post-Stalin thaw, it displays a relaxed, tuneful style, with wonderful melodies of folk-like character. The virtuosic Concerto for Flute and String Orchestra, composed in 1961, is dedicated to the famous flautist Alexander Korneyev. Its comparatively dark mood relates it to Nielsen’s Flute Concerto. Complementing these works are two fascinating discoveries. Weinberg left writing a Second Flute Concerto until much later; in fact, it was one of his last compositions. Dating from 1987 and also dedicated to Korneyev, it here receives its world premiere recording. Its style is quite different from that of the first Concerto, more classical, rather in the manner of Richard Strauss. Its first known performance was given in 2001, with the present soloist and conductor. The Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, composed in 1970 and also receiving its first recording, confirms the affinity for the instrument that Weinberg had shown throughout his career. David Fanning calls it ‘a gem of a work awaiting discovery’.

Boldmemann, Gefors & Hillborg - Songs

All songs on this album are world premiere recordings

Volume 3 - Cantatas, Melodramas and Orchestral Songs

Volume 1 - Tone Poems

Please note: Previously unreleased recordings included in this box are The Wood-Nymph, Op. 15, and Spring Song, Op. 16, made in 2006 and 2007. Other recordings have been taken from the following discs: BIS-CD-800, 864, 1015, 1115, 1125, 1225, 1445, 1485, 1565 (Lahti SO / Vänskä); BIS-CD-295 and 448 (Gothenburg SO / Järvi)

Shostakovich - Songs & Operas

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1-7 (complete)

(4 SACD's for the price of 3)

Swedish Bassoon Concertos

Sibelius - The Symphonies & Tone Poems