Chadwick: Symphonies 2&3

George Whitefield Chadwick (Composer), Neeme Järvi (Conductor), Detroit Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Detroit Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Neeme Järvi
• Composer: George Whitefield Chadwick
• Audio CD (October 20, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Chandos
• ASIN: B00000DBQX
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #109,848 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars American Romanticism in 19th Century, June 15, 2002

By 

Shuji Ogino (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chadwick: Symphonies 2&3 (Audio CD)

In late nineteenth century, America had a unique symphonist, George Chadwick. His 2nd and 3rd symphonies have conservative styles, but are melodious and mellifluous. Very soothing music, indeed. These stood among America's best symphonies until Ives appeared as a radical symphonist in 20th century. Neeme Jarvi's energetic recording of these rarely-performed, almost forgotten pieces should certainly be highly regarded. Detroit symphony orchestra also played enthusiastically.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely pieces, July 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Chadwick: Symphonies 2&3 (Audio CD)

To my amateur ear, these pieces sound a bit like the symphonies of Schumann. In other words, they are mellifluous, engaging, and loveble. Give them a few listenings, and you'll be rewarded. The performances by the Detroit Symphony are lively and crisp. This is my kind of music.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful music in generally fine performances, May 22, 2009

By 

G.D. (Norway) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Chadwick: Symphonies 2&3 (Audio CD)

George Whitefield Chadwick (1854-1931) has been proclaimed as among the first 'true American composers', absorbing African-American melodies and `typically' - some have claimed proto-Ivesian - American sources into his music. Well, the two symphonies here belong firmly in the Germanic romantic tradition of Schumann and Brahms and are in fact in most ways rather reminiscent of Dvorak (yes, the music Dvorak wrote in America, and if that sounds appetizing - which it should - proceed with confidence). Stanford is repeatedly brought to mind as well. There is little forward-looking about them in any way, but they are still extremely fine works, proving Chadwick to be an eminently skilled and inspired composer, regardless of traces of Americanism.

In fact, these are sophisticated, formally interesting works with memorable themes and tunes, delightfully scored with color, etherdown light textures and truly full-blooded scherzos full of vitality; thoroughly optimistic and sanguine and full of life. The second symphony is particularly memorable - with its highly appreciated (deservedly so) scherzo - and apparently won the first prize in a competition chaired by Dvorak whose musical language it strongly resembles. The third is well-crafted and again finely scored, but has more of a tendency to revert to rather faceless gestures (especially in the slow movement) than its predecessor - it is still resourceful and harmonically and rhythmically alive.

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Neeme Järvi plays both works enthusiastically, admirably realizing the color and dynamism these attractive scores, although I agree to a certain extent with another reviewer here than Järvi's approach might be a tad heavy-handed. The recording is opulent and full-blooded; recommended with confidence nonetheless.