Barber: Violin Concerto, Op. 14; Souvenirs (Ballet Suite), Op. 28; Serenade for Strings, Op. 1; Music for a Scene from Shelley, Op. 7

James Buswell (Artist), Samuel Barber (Composer), Marin Alsop (Conductor), Royal Scottish National Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra
• Conductor: Marin Alsop
• Composer: Samuel Barber
• Audio CD (January 15, 2002)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos American
• ASIN: B00005RT4V
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,594 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Barber Well-Served, July 4, 2002

By 

Jenny Hanniver "medieval_student" (Philadelphia, PA, United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Barber: Violin Concerto, Op. 14; Souvenirs (Ballet Suite), Op. 28; Serenade for Strings, Op. 1; Music for a Scene from Shelley, Op. 7 (Audio CD)

One of the twentieth century's finest violin concertos is out in an economical Naxos edition conducted by Marin Alsop. Ms. Alsop is one of Naxos' leading conductors. Her management of the orchestra is sensitive, and Boswell's violin playing is superb. The latest BBC MUSIC (one of my favorite magazines) has a featured article on the Barber Violin Concerto, well worth reading, and praises the Naxos recording. Naxos just gets better and better! Highly recommended.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Barber Violin Concerto; Buswell, November 21, 2004

By 

John Peters (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barber: Violin Concerto, Op. 14; Souvenirs (Ballet Suite), Op. 28; Serenade for Strings, Op. 1; Music for a Scene from Shelley, Op. 7 (Audio CD)

James Buswell's playing is wonderful; the tone is neither too syrupy nor harsh, and his playing is clean. The orchestral strings are a little strained, but the balance is great, with the violin sound weaving in and out of the upper sections perfectly. At all times the romantisism is kept at bay by unfussed playing. For an inexpensive recording, this version of the Barber is a treat. Very highly recomended as an introduction to Barber. If it is a 'definitive' version of the concerto you are looking for, then a more widely known interpretation might be a better bet (ie. Stern). Otherwise, buy it!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant readings of lovely, lyrical works, June 30, 2006

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Barber: Violin Concerto, Op. 14; Souvenirs (Ballet Suite), Op. 28; Serenade for Strings, Op. 1; Music for a Scene from Shelley, Op. 7 (Audio CD)

It must be great to go thorugh life with the aristocratic moniker of James Oliver Buswell IV. As a violinist, Buswell is more a man of the people than an aristocrat: he gives a modest, sweet-toned reading of the Barber Violin Concerto that doesn't show off its virtuosic technique. Marin Alsop forgoes rhythmic strength in favor of free-form songfulness, and the music can take it. The perpetual motion finale is excitingly fast, and Naxos provides exceptionally clear, natural sonics, among the best I've heard in this work.

The other works will be new even to listeners who follow Barber fairly closely. Souvenirs is a ripely nostalgic ballet suite set in a grand hotel--it also exists in a two-paino version, I think--with breezy dances from the turn of the century, such as a waltz, schottische, and two-step. Barber's melodies aren't first-rate, but this is gentle, easy listening.

The Serenade for Strings echos its famous predecessors by Dvorak and Tchaikovsky. Compared to them, this wispy, light-footed movement feels like tea-party music. But it's Barber's Op. 1 and is here basically to fill out our knowledge of his beginnings. His more impressive Op. 7, Music for a Scene from Shelley, is begins as gentle, moody shimmers but builds to a surprisingly strong climax that evokes mystery and perhaps tragic loss.

In all, these fillers pretty much amount to pstel water-color sketches. The Violin Concerto is the main attraction, and it's nicely done at bargain price.