George Antheil: Ballet Mecanique

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Spalding and his Philadelphians are feisty enough in the Ballet, refined and reflective in the other works. This is a great chance to check out one of the least heard but most notorious works... — John Armstrong, bbc.co.uk, 20th November 2002 More…

Catalogue No: 8559060
Label: Naxos
Series: American Classics
Length: 59 minutes

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Antheil: Ballet Mecanique

Work length16:06

$4.00

$5.15

Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra
Daniel Spalding
Recorded: 4th to 5th October, 1999
Recording Venue: County Ballroom, The War Memorial, Trenton, New Jersey, USA

Antheil: Serenade, No. 1

Work length15:42

$4.00

$5.20

Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra
Daniel Spalding
Recorded: 4th to 5th October, 1999
Recording Venue: County Ballroom, The War Memorial, Trenton, New Jersey, USA

I Allegro

Track length3:33

$1.00

$1.30

II Andante molto

Track length7:35

$2.00

$2.60

III Vivo

Track length4:34

$1.00

$1.30

Antheil: Symphony for 5 Instruments (second version)

Work length11:54

$3.00

$3.90

Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra
Daniel Spalding
Recorded: 4th to 5th October, 1999
Recording Venue: County Ballroom, The War Memorial, Trenton, New Jersey, USA

I Allegro

Track length5:05

$1.00

$1.30

II Lento

Track length4:19

$1.00

$1.30

III Presto

Track length2:30

$1.00

$1.30

Antheil: Concerto for Chamber Orchestra

Work length15:37

$4.00

$5.15

Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra
Daniel Spalding
Recorded: 4th to 5th October, 1999
Recording Venue: County Ballroom, The War Memorial, Trenton, New Jersey, USA

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Reviews

20th November 2002

Spalding and his Philadelphians are feisty enough in the Ballet, refined and reflective in the other works. This is a great chance to check out one of the least heard but most notorious works of the 20th century.

2010

Although Ballet mécanique is the inevitable selling point here, the 1953 revision eschews many of the sonic and rhythmic excesses that give the work its infamy and, to be honest, its musical appeal. Spalding secures a zestful performance from the Philadelphia Virtuosi, less frenetic than the Ensemble Modern, with the interlocking ostinatos of pianos and percussion readily invoking Les noces in sound if not substance.
The other works give a good overview of Antheil's changing idiom over the greater part of his career. From 1948, the First Serenade might seem a continuation of his inter-war neoclassicism, yet the chromatic unease that permeates the brusque outer movements, and the plaintive solos and chill sul ponticelli of the Andante intimate deeper emotions. The Symphony of 1923 offers a statement of stylistic intent to rival Stravinsky's Octet, though the astringent polytonal writing is more akin to Milhaud's Chamber Symphonies. Nine years on, and the Concert finds the eclipsed composer pursuing understated yet intriguing directions.
The succession of mini-ensembles, linked by a varied ritornello for the whole group, may have its basis in Stravinsky's Symphonies of WindInstruments, but Antheil's piece is formally open-ended and emotionally anything but cathartic. Characterful and well-prepared performances, cleanly recorded, and informative notes.

George Antheil: Ballet Mecanique

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