Barber: Symphony No. 1; The School for Scandal Overture; Beach: Gaelic Symphony

Samuel Barber (Composer), Amy Beach (Composer), Neeme Järvi (Conductor), Detroit Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Detroit Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Neeme Järvi
• Composer: Samuel Barber, Amy Beach
• Audio CD (October 28, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Chandos
• ASIN: B000000AMV
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #205,638 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Although this release has the Barber coming first, the standout here is the Symphony in E-minor (Gaelic) by Amy Beach. (The two Barber pieces are done not so sluggishly elsewhere.) Beach lived from 1867 to 1944 and her Symphony in E minor sparkles with a unique musical personality. She is, though, influenced by the German symphonists of the latter end of the 19th century (and probably Dvorák, whom she greatly admired, as well). Still, Jarvi takes the Detroit Symphony Orchestra skillfully and reverentially through this 47-minute work. Not a great symphony, but one with enough insight to make it worthwhile. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amy Beach and Detroit - A Fantastic Combination, November 10, 2007

By 

Kevin Ryan (Ithaca, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barber: Symphony No. 1; The School for Scandal Overture; Beach: Gaelic Symphony (Audio CD)

I could not disagree more with the Amazon review stating that Amy Beach's "Gaelic" Symphony is "not a great symphony". On the contrary, this incredibly well-crafted and detailed symphony is an example of one of the best of the American symphonies. Amy Beach was quite possibly the most incredible musical prodigy born in the United States and her talent for fantastic melodic writing is prevalent in this symphony. The sheer length and expansiveness of the "Gaelic", forty minutes in length, is a testament of her Schubertian ability to greatly expound on gorgeous melodies and create tremendously moving themes.

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra performs Beach's symphony absolutely beautifully with all of the power and grace that it deserves. There is never a dull moment here as Detroit masterfully plays under conductor Neeme Jarvi. It is too bad that Detroit does not record more - they have an incredibly rich and smooth sound that is both unique and greatly enriching to listen to.

While the works by Barber are also excellent, it is the "Gaelic" Symphony that makes this recording an absolutely must have for those who love it or those who want to listen for the first time. I would not hesitate to say that Detroit's performance is the best available.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravura Beach, April 25, 2001

By 

Daniel G. Berk (West Bloomfield, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barber: Symphony No. 1; The School for Scandal Overture; Beach: Gaelic Symphony (Audio CD)

The reason for this CD is the symphony by Amy Marcy Cheney Beach. The Barber symphony and overture are certainly worth hearing, but it is the Beach composition that really commends this recording, and it is certainly a worthy work. For many years Amy Beach was listed in the Schwann catalog as Mrs. H. H. H. Beach, with only one or two piano compositions being listed at all. Well, times have changed. She has her own name and has come into her own as a composer, and the symphony indicates that this recognition was long overdue.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Buy It For the Beach, May 22, 2008

By 

Moldyoldie (Motown, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Barber: Symphony No. 1; The School for Scandal Overture; Beach: Gaelic Symphony (Audio CD)

I've heard the Barber works performed more convincingly elsewhere, but the Gaelic Symphony of Amy Marcy Cheney Beach (d. 1944) is a real charmer with an exquisitely beautiful and affecting Lento third movement; the symphony could've ended there and I'd have been content. The orchestra sounds somewhat underpowered, but the playing is elegant and the recording is vivid and spacious in the Chandos tradition.