Customer Reviews

Carson Cooman: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have to disagree with the other reviewers. Mr. Cooman strikes me as a composer with too many ideas and lacking the self-criticism necessary for such a gift. His music is all over the place. I feel he would be wise to take some time to review a work and ruthlessly self prune. I think he has talent, just needs to learn conciseness. One to watch as he matures.

Cooman clearly knows how to write music that is challenging but also accessible to the ear and satisfying. The piano concerto is playful, the sonata is melodic and as I listen to the symphonies, I can hear the "love and rain" and the spiritual heart of the Ave Maria. If you want to enjoy classical music from a truly gifted contemporary composer, I recommend this CD.I'm glad I have it.

I am going to write this review from the simply enjoyment point of view,

w/o any analysis of the musical forms, etc, and that isn't my specialty

anyway.

I like to try out CD's from Naxos, including modern composers. Since the

prices are so reasonable, even if the newer music isn't the greatest,

all their CD's are worth at least a few listens. That's one of the great things

about Naxos, small risk for generally high quality. Thus I knew

nothing about this composer other than the high praise I read in the

newspaper from the company that has listings from Naxos and other labels.

This CD turned out to be a spectacular winner. Mr. Cooman can really

compose some excellent, highly listenable music, and on this

CD there is an amazing variety of featured instruments (all composed for

very well in my opinion): flute, piano, violin and organ twice, strings

elsewhere, etc. And you don't hear what you would expect given the types

of compositions on the CD. Yes, there are (2) symphonies, a piano

concerto, a partita, a concerto for violin and organ, and more, but what

makes this CD so enjoyable is that it flows so beautifully, as if it were

a concept work, whatever the types of compositions (I have not read the

liner notes to see if that was the intention).

If you like classical music, I'd say get this CD immediately!

The sonata for violin and organ has become my new favorite. Overall a fine CD from a very young talent who will be writing great music for a long time. I can't wait for the next recording.