Benjamin Lees: Symphony No. 4 "Memorial Candles"

Benjamin Lees (Composer), Theodore Kuchar (Conductor), Kimball Wheeler (Performer), National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Kimball Wheeler
• Orchestra: National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
• Conductor: Theodore Kuchar
• Composer: Benjamin Lees
• Audio CD (October 27, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos American
• ASIN: B00000DHT7
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #371,219 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A profound and moving meditation on the Holocaust, March 15, 2000

By 

J Scott Morrison (Middlebury VT, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Benjamin Lees: Symphony No. 4 "Memorial Candles" (Audio CD)

Naxos is to be praised for bringing us so much otherwise unknown American music. I was knocked out by this symphony the first time I heard it and have listened to it now perhaps 15 times. I keep finding new things in it. Structurally it's as tight as anything I've ever heard from Lees, whose music I've explored for thirty years now. (I hope to God his new Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra are recorded soon; talk about a knockout!) I disagree with the preceding reviewer who complained about Kimball Wheeler's voice. It sounds luscious to me and perfect for the Jewish cantillation of the vocal part. Buswell is his usual sterling self. I heartily recommend this piece for its emotional wallop.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For Me, Disc is Disappointing in One Respect, December 26, 1999

By 

Eugene G. Barnes (Dunn Loring, VA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Benjamin Lees: Symphony No. 4 "Memorial Candles" (Audio CD)

There's so much to like about this CD - great piece of music, superbly played and well-conducted. James Buswell giving his all on the violin. A painful message to contemplate in those dark nights of the soul. It's all there -- BUT the mezzo-soprano solo. Sadly, Ms. Wheeler's voice is weak, at times to the point where one long-held note does not sound stable. She has her moments (where she sounds like the old British contralto Gladys Ripley, a voice of infinite sadness at "what-might-have-been"), but these are not enough to carry the day. It may be Ms. Wheeler had a bad cold the days they recorded (or got a Ukrainian version of Montezuma's revenge, who knows?). Well, given the price and unavailability of any other recording of the work (and the fact that the mezzo part is less than 50% of the symphony), I'd say buy it and experience the good music. (As you can see, no one else thought Ms. Wheeler was a liability.) But if at any time another recording comes along, you may want at least to compare the two.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A deep, powerful work, February 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Benjamin Lees: Symphony No. 4 "Memorial Candles" (Audio CD)

I have listened to other works of Benjamin Lees, but feel this is one of his finest achievements. The work is deep and powerful, and I found I definitely needed more than one listening to gain all the insight into its intricacies. The time spent was well worth it. This is a magnificent symphony and the composer should well be proud of what he has done. He has given another voice to the horrors of the Holocaust. The recording is terrific, well-played and sonically excellent. I realize I'm a layman, not a professional, but I would recommend this recording to anyone.