|
Del Tredeci / Theofanidis / Bernstein
Robert Spano, Conductor
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Telarc Records, 2005
(Chris Theofanidis’ Website)
Nikolas J. Lund
January 22, 2007
This CD came to me via composer Theofanidis himself, and his work on the disc is the one in which I am most interested as I have not yet encountered any work from this artist. It contains a world premier recording of his work The Here and Now (2004) along side another work receiving its first recorded debut, David Del Tredici’s Paul Revere’s Ride (apparently inspired by the events of 9/11) Also on this disc is Leonard Bernstein’s Lamentations from “Jeremiah”.
The music of The Here and Now is based on the poetry of the 13th century Anatolian mystic Rumi. The music is certainly after a mysticism all its own, employing instantly recognizable triadic harmonies in rhythmic patterns alternating between long, sustained legatos and mathematically mounting accelerandos, in a fashion taking much from the more “minimal” moderns like Glass and Adams. It appeals itself instantly to the ear, and the recording here really captures perfectly the diction of the highly proverbial and ponderous poetry it sets itself around. Along with the finely prepared liner notes, this music makes something interesting to follow for the home-listener who wants to complement his readings of Rumi with a musicalized setting thereof. In my ears, this music has a curiously soundtrack-like quality, and I think that it could indeed have an instant appeal to many hearing it here in its premier recording.
The recordings of the Del Tredici and the Bernstein are also excellently produced and presented, though I must say that neither drew my attention like Theofanidis’ work.
See Broadway shows this year such as the award winning Wicked Tickets, or other hot shows like Jersey Boys and Young Frankenstein which is coming soon. Or perhaps a concert is your fancy, better get your Hannah Montana Tour Tickets now before they sell out.
|
