Christopher Rouse: Symphony No. 1; Phantasmata

Christopher Rouse (Composer), David Zinman (Conductor), Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: David Zinman
• Composer: Christopher Rouse
• Audio CD (May 27, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B000005J00
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #414,092 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Symphony No. 1

2. Phantasmata, for orchestra with augmented percussion: The Evestrum Of Juan De La Cruz In The Sagrada Famiglia At 3 A M

3. Phantasmata, for orchestra with augmented percussion: The Infernal Machine

4. Phantasmata, for orchestra with augmented percussion: Bump

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What's so bad about new music anyway?, January 27, 2002

By 

Dr. Fartmeister (Vancouver BC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Christopher Rouse: Symphony No. 1; Phantasmata (Audio CD)

There seems to be a stigma surrounding new music that prevents many audiences from ever experiencing the sheer passion and beauty that is often created by today's many gifted composers. Fortunately, Christopher Rouse's music is heard relatively often, which is a blessing for both the composer and the listener.

The "Symphony #1" is one of Rouse's most tonal pieces. It was composed shortly after the extremely dissonant, atonal, and fast-paced "Gorgon"--Rouse describes the two as a "yin and yang to each other". Therefore, the aim of this piece is an adagio and tonal (though still dissonant, but do you expect otherwise from Rouse?) piece. The tonality is often blurred, but certain recurring melodic and rhythmic motives enrapture the listener. Rouse infuses too much passion and emotion into the score to solicit any loss of interest. In short, it's difficult to get bored during the 24 minutes that make up this piece.

"Phantasmata", on the other hand, is less emotionally taxing and more fun. It is a much more dissonant piece, which may turn off some listeners, but if you don't mind that sort of thing, this piece shouldn't be missed either.

I can't really comment on the performance, since there are no other recordings I know of that I can compare it with, but the Baltimore Symphony does justice to the demanding score.

It's a keeper.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars extraordinary music, May 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Christopher Rouse: Symphony No. 1; Phantasmata (Audio CD)

Christopher Rouse has become one of America's most special and amazing composers. This is a wonderful recording of his deeply moving first symphony, a tragic but finally consoling work. David Zinman is one of Rouse's biggest champions, so I am certain that this recording represents the music as the composer wished it to sound. This is not difficult music to listen to in terms of style, though its dark message may make it hard for some to grapple with. Phantasmata is a more dissonant piece, but somehow it all turns out to be fun. This is extraordinary music.

4.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Modern Music, December 20, 2008

By 

Jerry of San Francisco (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christopher Rouse: Symphony No. 1; Phantasmata (Audio CD)

This is powerful music. Though it is modern music, I think it will find a large audience of classical music and beyond. The theme is very sad throughout and reminds me of Wagner, Shostokovitch and Mahler. There are a couple of times when the music is quiet and suddently startles with it's intensity. The recording is good.