Customer Reviews

Joseph Achron: Violin Concerto/Golem Suite (Milken Archive of American Jewish Music)

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

 

 

The Amazon editorial review covered much of what I wanted to say about this CD. The Violin concerto definitely needs to be heard. Despite the scholarly liner notes and review, these pieces are easily enjoyed, even though they do require concentration. All of the performers are stellar.
The Naxos Milken discs are affordable enough to be accessible to people who are interested in American Jewish music or those just intereted in new litening experiences.

This concerto...

I was listening to radio and this wasn't ordinary violin concerto.

I knew that this was a modern concerto but it wasn't just one of those kinds.

I waited 30 to 40 minutes , listening to this masterpiece.

Somehow it's a devilish piece , but has an unique taste.
The violinist is brilliant.
The orchestra/conductor are brilliant.


I recommend this CD to everyone.

Joseph Achron (1886-1943) was, apparently, an excellent violinist, and it shows in his rhapsodic and intense first violin concerto. Intermingled with the fervently intense episodes are moments of romantic lyricism, and the whole thing is musically maybe closest to Ernst Bloch - with more than a dash of Scriabin. Oliveira dispatches all hurdles thrown at him, and he is nicely accompanied by the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin under Joseph Silverstein.

The suite from The Golem is an atmospheric five-movement work with several original touches and the Belshazzar tableaux are inventive and colorful, somewhat Hollywoodish pieces.

Despite the interesting touches, I am not sure Achron's music really adds up to very much; the final impression is, in fact, rather anodyne. The music is splendidly played, of course, and the sound is fine. I'd give it a qualified recommendation.