Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
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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.

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.

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.