EINOJUHANI RAUTAVAARA: Manhattan Trilogy; Symphony #3 – Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra/ Leif Segerstam, conductor – Ondine multichannel SACD CDE 10905 1, 53:48 **** [Distr. by Universal]:
Composed in 2004 for the Julliard School Centenial, the music recalls the composer’s impressions of Manhattan while a student at Julliard 50 years earlier. The piece is in three movements: Daydream, Nightmares (of doubt), and Dawn (of personality), stages in a young musician’s life.
This is reflective yet declamatory music. The orchestral palette features solo violin, woodwind figures and brass (particularly horn) solos. There is a sweep, an anthem-like quality, particularly in the final movement, which resonates with the listener. Represented in Manhattan Trilogy are the crystallized impressions of a vibrant city upon a nascent creative artist’s development. This is most effective music.
The Symphony No.3 is reminiscent of Bruckner and Nielsen, referencing these composers as did the fine English composer, Robert Simpson. Composed in 1961, the Third Symphony grows mysteriously, organically, like Bruckner, with a nobility of sound throughout the first movement, Langsm, breit, ruhig. The second movement, Langsam, doch nicht schleppend, could be a Brucknerian adagio, while the third and forth movements, Sehr schell, Bewegt are a march-like scherzo and a gallop with abundant energy. The symphony is tightly constructed with no excess adornment.
The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra under its Music Director, Leif Segerstam performs this music with absolute commitment. The orchestra provides a homogeneous, burnished, beautifully balanced sound. The woodwind soloists, particularly the principal flute, are especially fine. The recording engineers provide a realistic aural perspective. The multichannel format places the listener within mid-orchestra seating. Each orchestral choir is distinctly heard even during the loudest of tuttis.
I reviewed The Rautavaara Symphony No. 1 on an Ondine SACD in 2006, finding much to admire. The present disc lends further to my view of this composer’s esteemed position among 20th-21st century masters. Highly recommended!
Composed in 2004 for the Julliard School Centenial, the music recalls the composer’s impressions of Manhattan while a student at Julliard 50 years earlier. The piece is in three movements: Daydream, Nightmares (of doubt), and Dawn (of personality), stages in a young musician’s life.
This is reflective yet declamatory music. The orchestral palette features solo violin, woodwind figures and brass (particularly horn) solos. There is a sweep, an anthem-like quality, particularly in the final movement, which resonates with the listener. Represented in Manhattan Trilogy are the crystallized impressions of a vibrant city upon a nascent creative artist’s development. This is most effective music.
The Symphony No.3 is reminiscent of Bruckner and Nielsen, referencing these composers as did the fine English composer, Robert Simpson. Composed in 1961, the Third Symphony grows mysteriously, organically, like Bruckner, with a nobility of sound throughout the first movement, Langsm, breit, ruhig. The second movement, Langsam, doch nicht schleppend, could be a Brucknerian adagio, while the third and forth movements, Sehr schell, Bewegt are a march-like scherzo and a gallop with abundant energy. The symphony is tightly constructed with no excess adornment.
The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra under its Music Director, Leif Segerstam performs this music with absolute commitment. The orchestra provides a homogeneous, burnished, beautifully balanced sound. The woodwind soloists, particularly the principal flute, are especially fine. The recording engineers provide a realistic aural perspective. The multichannel format places the listener within mid-orchestra seating. Each orchestral choir is distinctly heard even during the loudest of tuttis.
I reviewed The Rautavaara Symphony No. 1 on an Ondine SACD in 2006, finding much to admire. The present disc lends further to my view of this composer’s esteemed position among 20th-21st century masters. Highly recommended!
— Ronald Legum
