Customer Reviews

Kernis: Symphony In Waves/Musica Celestis

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

 

 

First and foremost, the performers must be given due credit for playing these extremely challenging works with such brilliance and virtuosity! This music is simply enthralling: while the minimalistic style and novel orchestration fascinate the listener, the lyrical melodies are instantly endearing. Kernis is a first-rate genius. Upon careful listening, you will discover quotes from popular music hidden in both the string quartet and Symphony in Waves.

This is one of the most wonderful recordings I own -- unfortunately it's out of print, so do yourself a favor if it's showing up for an affordable used price here on Amazon. The music here is inherently listenable; this is something to admire in an era of squeaking, squawking classical music that is meant to "challenge" more than it's ever meant to "delight." This doesn't mean that Kernis' music is trite or simplistic. There is real beauty here, with sweeping gorgeous melodies in both works. As for "Symphony in Waves," its cleverness is its claim to whatever fame it has, but the truth is that it's bursting with creative vibrancy and energy. It's an early work by Kernis, and only a sign of amazing things to come.

The Symphony in Waves is one of the most sensuously orchestrated works of the last two decades, reminding one of early John Adams, although the musical language is different. Rautavaara with an American sound is the way I'd describe it. I have listened to this CD 5 times and even given it to friends. This is not music to Break New Grounds, but manages to have a distinctive personal sound, something to admire in an era of sound-alike composers.

Aaron Jay Kernis (born 1960) has not become a household name in classical music circles for some reason. Perhaps he has not captured a gig that brings attention to his work or related his compositions to timely literature or events that stir the interest of the critics and crowds. Whatever the reason, Kernis is a very astute composer whose drive seems not so much that of 'startle and amaze' effect as one of creating richly colored pieces that hold reverence for the past and embrace the history of music of the 20th century: in time his name will rise.

This very fine CD contains two aspects of Kernis' gift for colorful instrumental writing. The 'Symphony in Waves' is nothing if not stunningly beautiful. Opening with barely audible moments that suggest Debussy's 'La Mer' the work unfolds with languorous, spreading and pulsing sheets of string sounds that serve as ground for delicate almost percussive and pianistic higher string writing. The work is not repetitive and seems to pass into the atmosphere instead of ending. Gerard Schwarz conducts the New York Chamber Symphony of the 92nd Street Y in a seamless performance.

For this listener the reason to purchase this CD is the String Quartet No. 1 as played by the Lark Quartet. The piece is so rich in color palette that it seems as though the performance is by a full string orchestra rather than simply by four players. Kernis has a manner of writing for cello and viola that provides great contrast for he ongoing conversations between the first and second violins. The quartet is subtitled 'musica celestis' for good reason as the various movements seem to reference heavenly music, especially the quotations from the works of Hildegard von Bingen, one of the finest of Medieval composers. How he achieves this is probably best stated by the composer himself: "I feel a greater kinship with music of past centuries than with that of our century, but at the same time feel vehemently that we cannot return to the past musically (as some neo-romantics and neo-modernists have tried to do) but must carry the present, past and future with us at all times."

For those unfamiliar with this important composer this CD is probably as fine a starting point as any. The music is endlessly interesting and the performances are immaculate. Grady Harp, November 06

I was mislead by believing other reviews of this "masterpiece"-

True, there some short beautiful sections, but most of this music

I find excessive, indulgent and contrived. Very annoying to have

such hope, and find so little to enjoy.