Customer Reviews

Chadwick: Symphonies 2&3

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Since first hearing his 4th string quartet I've been very much interested in Chadwick's music (certainly since it has so long been unjustly ignored. I'm glad that in recent years his orchestral music has been favored with several recordings. This recording couples his two major symphonic works, both of which were very popular in their time. The music is stil very vibrant and Chadwick's gift for energetic, melodious writing and his command of orchestration are apparent.
However, I have my doubts about the artistic quality of the recording. Chadwick got his education in early romantic Germany. His idiom is more that of Mendelssohn and Schumann than that of (for example) Dvorak. You only have to hear the scherzo of the 2nd symphony to be convinced. Too often I get the feeling that Järvi takes a rather heavy turn on the music. Too often tempi are taken a tad too slow which takes away a lot of the sparkle that is the main attractiveness of the music.
The music would have benefited greatly from someone who understands that romantic does not automatically mean with much vibrato or mired in a what has become the standard "big sound" of the modern orchestra, in short, someon with a more "classical" approach!

George Chadwick was an American composer whose heyday was from about 1890 to 1910. The music presented here is an excellent example of his melodious, bustling style. If your taste is Dvorak, Schumann, or Brahms, you will probably enjoy this disc; Chadwick learned from European composers while attempting to create a distinctly American 'sound'. While his success at creating an 'American' style is debatable, his ability to compose beautiful music is never in doubt. Symphony #3 especially is a gorgeous work that belongs in the standard repertoire. Chandos provides superb sound, while Jarvi leads the Detroit orchestra in crisp, polished performances. Highly recommended!