Barber: Orchestral Works Volume 5

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Karina Gauvin and Marin Alsop take a nostalgic view of Knoxville: Summer of 1915. Theirs is an adult's bittersweet reminiscence rather than a child's innocent view. The outer sections sway slowly,... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

Release Date: 29th Mar 2004
Catalogue No: 8559134
Label: Naxos
Series: American Classics
Length: 56 minutes

Gramophone Magazine

June 2004

Disc of the Month

Usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days

Barber: Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Op. 24

Work length16:51

$4.00

$5.15

Karina Gauvin (soprano)
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Marin Alsop
Recorded: 27 October 2002
Recording Venue: Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow

Barber: Second Essay for Orchestra, Op. 17

Work length11:21

$3.00

$3.85

Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Marin Alsop
Recorded: 3 May 1999
Recording Venue: Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow

Barber: Third Essay for Orchestra, Op. 47

Work length14:22

$3.00

$3.85

Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Marin Alsop
Recorded: 18 March 2001
Recording Venue: Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow

Barber: Toccata Festiva, Op. 36

Work length14:17

$3.00

$3.85

Thomas Trotter (organ)
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Marin Alsop
Recorded: 11 June 2002
Recording Venue: Paisley Abbey, Glasgow

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Reviews

2010

Karina Gauvin and Marin Alsop take a nostalgic view of Knoxville: Summer of 1915. Theirs is an adult's bittersweet reminiscence rather than a child's innocent view. The outer sections sway slowly, the phrases longingly caressed as if soprano and orchestra were loath to let them go.
Gauvin sings smoothly, generally emphasising song over text, though she's alive to James Agee's fragrant imagery, and varies the colour of her voice appropriately. With deeply expressive playing from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the result is ravishing; this is one of the finest versions of Knoxville to date.
Alsop's tautly argued Second Essay is equally satisfying. She resists the temptation to stretch the tempo at climactic moments, creating a strong sense of momentum; you're swept along by the music's powerful current.
Knoxville and the Essays pack a nice sonic punch. If only Thomas Trotter's brilliant execution of the solo organ part in the Toccata Festiva were recorded with greater presence than the acoustic of Paisley Abbey allows. The Toccata may not be top-drawer Barber, but it has its moments. Nevertheless, Alsop's ear-opening Barber series reaches a new high-point with this instalment. Strongly recommended.

Ravishing. … One of the finest versions of Knoxville to date. … Alsop’s ear-opening Barber series reaches a new high-point with this instalment. Strongly recommended.

2011 edition

Alsop's reading [of Knoxville] brings out the contrasts between the different sections more sharply than usual...superbly played and recorded.

Another 20th-century milestone for voice and orchestra arrives... Karina Gauvin is quite a voice: commanding, penetrating, with a burnished colour... The Royal Scottish National Orchestra flares up to match... Alsop Conducts beautifully.

Barber: Orchestral Works Volume 5

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