Customer Reviews

Joseph Jongen: Cello Concerto / Impressions d'Ardennes / Fantaisie

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My fascination with Joseph Jongen continues unabated. The major work here is the "Cello Concerto". Although, with the piano and the horn, the cello is one of my favorite instruments, I must confess that this concerto does not figure among my favorite Jongen, although I certainly don't dislike it. This is because it is quite an early piece, written while the composer was still under the influence of German romanticism, and therefore not representative of his mature style. However, this may be precisely what other listeners may like about it, so let me describe it:

The dramatic opening suggests an amalgam of Franck and early Strauss, while the body of the movement is influenced by the heroics of Bruch. Some of its melodies are characterized by a leaping athleticism in dotted-notes that remind me of Elgar before his time. The following slow movement begins as a heartfelt lament in Franckian chromatics which morphs into the troubled jollity of a curious sort of menuet/waltz, before subsiding into its former despair. At the beginning of the finale, the soloist rouses the orchestra with a return to the leaping heroics of the first movement. However, the heroics never become hectoring. At times, the cello is required to be a lithe as a dancer, and the finale concludes with brilliant brass fanfares. Cellists should regard this attractive work as one viable for resurrection, especially since the romantic cello concerto repertoire is relatively limited, compared to that of the violin and piano. Cellist Marie Hallynck makes a thoroughly convincing case for this unfamiliar work, playing with beautiful singing tone, and a musicality that draws the listener in, and keeps one perpetually involved.

The other two works on this CD are quite a different matter--in them one hears Jongen's authentic voice. I've loved the "Fantaisie sur deux noëls populaires wallons" since first hearing it on a Belgian LP in the 1950's. This "Fantasy on Two Walloon Christmas Carols" comes a bit later in the composer's catalog than the concerto, and is one of his best-known works. The expansive opening suggests D'Indy or Delius, but quickly becomes a good deal more "hearty," with the "carol" melodies well to the fore, at times even set against each other in counterpoint. Whole-tone passages begin to become common. This is an important work in Jongen's catalog, and it's good to have a modern recording.

"Impressions d'ardennes" is fully mature Jongen, a nature-piece at times reminiscent of Franck, Delius or D'Indy. The composer described it thus: "The composer's aim in this symphonic work is not to depict minutely any particular landscape of the Ardennes, but to interpret the feelings engendered by the majesty of wooded heights and by desolate or picturesque plains. The work consists of three linked-up movements. The introductory Prelude (to be played in a broad, calm , stately manner) leads to a kind of rustic dance which heard in the distance at first, gradually becomes clearer and louder until it draws the whole orchestra into a grand climax, a Hymn of Joy. The angelus sounds, calling a momentary halt to the dance; then a triumphant song of Nature suddenly bursts forth..." The work ends in a mood of contemplation and sunset afterglow.

The performances by Roman Kofman and the Belgian National Orchestra are sympathetic and beautifully played and recorded--yet another valuable Jongen release from Cyprès. May we now have modern recordings of the Piano Concerto (and the other works for piano and orchestra), the Harp Concerto, the Third Suite, etc.?