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Presto News - 10th March 2008Hilary Hahn plays Schoenberg and Sibelius |
 At first glance Hilary Hahn’s decision to pair the popular Sibelius Violin Concerto with that of Arnold Schoenberg on her new CD seems an odd choice. While the former is a favourite both in the concert hall and on CD, the latter only very rarely gets an outing. Hahn claims that the composers had much in common – “both broad-minded, inquisitive men who liked exploring new things” and both with a “deep love of the visual arts”. But listen to their music and it is hard to notice many similarities.  Hilary Hahn Schoenberg wrote his Violin Concerto in 1936, a few years after he had moved to New York to escape the Nazis. He was writing some tonal works around that time but returned to his twelve-tone technique for the Concerto (this is a method of composition devised by Schoenberg which gives every note equal importance and thus avoids being in any key). I think this concerto has been rather neglected because people fear that this compositional method sacrifices any potential for expressive content. This is simply not the case. Yes it is hard at first hearing because you never know what is round the next corner but get to know it a bit and I think you’ll find it is exciting, imaginative and really quite romantic music. The Sibelius Concerto is well known for its romantic, slightly cold character, but for its time (1903) it was quite a forward-looking piece. It has an unconventional structure and wide contrasts in style and mood. I suppose when you get under the surface a bit these two works may not be as disparate as they first appear. As far as the performances go this disc is first class. There isn’t much competition to compare the Schoenberg with as only a handful of other recordings are in the catalogue, but because Hahn is technically so secure and so familiar with the work she can play the Concerto from the heart. As the Daily Telegraph wrote on a live performance of the work “Hahn didn’t merely play the notes, she passionately engaged with them”. Her Sibelius is probably slightly more deliberately held back. Very romantic interpretations tend to miss the haunting and nostalgic side of the music, while if you go too far the other way you miss the moments of ecstasy and genuine love that Sibelius poured into this work. I think Hahn has got it about right and with her beautiful sound and technical brilliance she makes a compelling case. DG have provided a E-Player for this release which gives you a decent sound sample of both Concertos. You can find this via the link below.
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 Schoenberg and Sibelius Violin ConcertosHilary Hahn (violin) |
Chris O'Reilly - chris@prestoclassical.co.uk |
New Releases10th March 2008 |
This is just the pick of the recent releases. The New Releases and Future Releases pages are always available for browsing all the new and forthcoming releases. |
 Schubert: Mass No. 6 in E flat major, D950Susan Gritton (soprano), Pamela Helen Stephen (mezzo-soprano), Mark Padmore (tenor), James Gilchrist (tenor) & Matthew Rose (bass), Collegium Musicum 90, Richard HickoxSchubert’s final mass and most ambitious setting was composed during the summer of 1828, only months before his death. This recording boasts a fabulous line up of soloists accompanied by the superb Collegium Musicum 90, all directed by one of the world's greatest choral conductors Richard Hickox. Fantastic. |
 Mozart - Complete Sonatas for Keyboard & Violin, Volume 5Rachel Podger (violin) & Gary Cooper (fortepiano)Rachel Podger and Gary Cooper continue to impress the world with their Mozart series on historical instruments. This is the fifth super audio recording in a series of eight. Volumes 1-4 are already being hailed as the benchmark recordings of these works, and they have been awarded three Diapason d’Or and two Gramophone Editors Choices. |
 Bach: St Matthew Passion, BWV244 (Final performing version, c. 1742)Dunedin Consort & Players, John ButtThe Dunedin Consort, under the direction of John Butt, follows its award-winning recording of Messiah with J.S. Bach's Matthew Passion. The sound is clear and the soloists are well forward. Although in my view there are probably better recordings in the catalogue the great price makes this a tempting buy. |
 Ave Maris Stella - Chamber Music of Sir Peter Maxwell DaviesGeminiWorld première recordings of Maxwell Davies including an overdue new recording of “Ave Maris Stella” - possibly his most important chamber work to date. |
 John Tavener - The Repentant ThiefPatricia Rozario (soprano), Andrew Marriner (clarinet), London Symphony Orchestra / Michael Tilson ThomasSome important John Taverner orchestral works make a welcome return to the catalogue after being unavailable for some time. |
 Dalbavie, Jarrell & Pintscher - Flute ConcertosEmmanuel Pahud (flute), Orchestra Philharmonique de Radio FranceFollowing his highly successful and critically-acclaimed discs of Vivaldi and Nielsen concertos in 2007, Swiss-French flautist Emmanuel Pahud now brings his repertoire up to date with a programme of contemporary works commissioned especially for him. |
 Spohr -Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, Howard Shelley (conductor)In this second volume of Spohr’s symphonies, Howard Shelley and the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana continue their exploration of this enjoyable and little-known repertoire. |
 Karl Jenkins: Stabat MaterBelinda Sykes (vocal) & Jurguta Adamonyte (mezzo-soprano), EMO Ensemble , Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra & Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Chorus, Pasi HyökkiKarl Jenkins returns with a new work to complement his massively successful “Requiem” and “Armed Man”. The at once emotional, modern, culturally diverse and universally accessible style that has come to characterise the composer’s sound is perfectly exemplified in this poignant new choral album. |
 Itzhak Perlman - Virtuoso Violinist - DVDA film by Christopher Nupen“Doing what television does best, BBC2’s superb Perlman triptych – two concerts sandwiching an intimate you-are-there documentary – took us as close as it is decent and proper to go into the unexplained world of genius.” – Daily Mail |
watch a 6 minute video BBC Radio 3 CD ReviewSaturday 8th March 2008 |
Building a Library - Debussy: Préludes - Book 2 |
 First ChoiceJean-Efflam Bavouzet |
 Historic ChoiceSviatoslav Richter |
 Budget ChoiceMartino Tirimo |
CD of the Week |
 Schumann - Symphony No. 1 & OverturesSwedish Chamber Orchestra, Thomas Dausgaard |
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