JINDŘICH FELD (1925-2007): Viola Concerto, OLDŘICH FLOSMAN (1925-1998): Visions of Michelangelo for Viola and Orchestra, SYLVIE BODOROVÁ (b.1954): Planctus for Viola and Orchestra.

Catalogue Number: 12W046

Label: Supraphon

Reference: SU 4276-2

Format: CD

Price: $19.98

Description: By any standards the Feld is a major concerto for this under-served instrument. It was one of his final works, and his last (and in his opinion, his most important) concertante piece, and a lifetime of compositional experience and early studies of both viola and violin inform every bar of the half-hour, three-movement work. The composer placed expression over technical virtuosity as the aim of the piece, though it is technically formidable, bearing comparison with the Bartók. As a whole, the concerto is dramatic and somewhat dark in mood, though relieved by moments of great beauty, nostalgia and tranquility. Unconventional in layout, it begins with a moderately paced movement which begins ominously and increases in tension and activity toward two towering climaxes separated by a tranquil plateau. The middle movement is a large scherzo, burlesque, rambunctious and jaunty, with a sardonic edge that suggests similar movements by Shostakovich. Around the mid-point there is an immensely challenging, lengthy cadenza. The finale is another slow movement, initially brooding, even threatening, but soon developing a lyrical warmth and then transforming into a vigorously energetic concluding section. The soloist's notes and interviews make much of the fact that Flosman and Bodorová were on opposite sides of the political fence when it came to the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia, but in terms of their tonal musical language they are not that far apart. Bodorová's Planctus is a lament from the early 1980s, a time of oppression and hopelessness in Czechoslovakia, the viola plaintively lending its eloquent tones to a restrained yet passionate threnody. After a cadenza with the feel of a stately Bach prelude, and later a brass chorale, the music's increasing agitation leads to a powerful, motoric section, as the pent-up anger and brooding tragedy finally breaks out in fury. This is short-lived, and the work subsides into sadness, finally relieved by the appearance of a wistful, folk-like melody. Flosman wrote Visions to commission for Michelangelo's quincentenary in 1975. While the composer clearly felt the need to stay within the confines of Socialist Realism, the work is very fine, predictably heavily influenced by Shostakovich though with less profundity and more bombast, drawing obvious comparisons with the likes of Tishchenko. Over its 15-minute span it falls into a sequence of highly contrasted tableaux, likely intended to suggest images from the Renaissance polymath's output, with the viola in the customary virtuoso concerto spotlight. Jitka Hosprová (viola), Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra; Jan Kućera, Tomáś Breuner (Flosman).

Search:

Login:
(requires cookies enabled)

E-mail:
Password:

Register:
Need to register? Click here.

Cart:
(requires cookies enabled)

Your cart is currently empty.