Customer Reviews

Piston: Violin Concertos Nos. 1 and 2; Fantasia Concertos

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am generally wary of "modern" music and tend to shy away from anything remotely atonal. But with this release of Walter Piston's two Violin Concertos plus the off-beat Fanatasia, I find that a little bit of spice isn't all that unnerving! His compositions here are very attractive and very listenable, even the later works on this disc. As others have noted, James Buswell is an amazing talent. His tone is very rich and warm, while his technique is sharp and crisp. So if you want to take a chance on some mildly spicy music, look no further!

I just purchased this cd a few days ago, and I really enjoy it. The engineering sounds fresh and believable, and the playing by the soloist and orchestra are engaging and musical. I recommend it! It is worthwhile music, and I find it exciting to discover good music I have not heard, especially of such quality! If I were I violinist I would want to explore getting the music and playing it myself. I am a violist and have begun trying to turn up viola works by Piston.

Admirable recordings of fine works by the great american composer Walter Piston. The orchestra is amazingly into this idiom (the conductor is now conducting in the United States). I am further looking forward to the rest of the issues in this enterprising series! Hats off, Naxos!

What a wonderful CD! This is the first time I have had a chance to hear this much talked about CD and I am blown away by the sheer virtuosity, imagination and integrity of Buswell's playing. This is a true artist whose mind, heart and soul are completely engaged in the music of Piston. I have often enjoyed his live performances and this CD confirms much of what I already know: Buswell is amazing! The conviction of his playing in this recording and the stories he tells from the violin is truly mesmerizing. This recording is right up there with his legendary Bach unaccompanied Sonatas and Partitas performances and recording! Bravo to Naxos for finding this gem of an artist!

Hey, how could you go wrong? These are three wonderful works at an unbelievably reasonable price. Thank goodness for Naxos which seems to be the only label these days venturing outside the standard repertory. Piston's works have always given me great pleasure. I would love to see choreographer Paul Taylor create a work on the 1st Violin Concerto. A brilliant match, I think, given the piece's energy, drive and (somewhat tempered) all-American sunny-ness.

Walter Piston's music has sometimes been dismissed as dull and overly academic - completely unjustified in general, and particularly so with regards to his inventive, romantically colorful and utterly appealing violin concertos. The music is approachable, elegant and spirited, lightly spiced and wiry, and superbly crafted.

The first concerto, dating from 1939, is slightly reminiscent of Barber's and utterly compelling, with fabulously shaped, almost ecstatic, climaxes, memorably themes and developments which pack a real punch. The solo part is technically challenging, but James Buswell masters it splendidly and with spirit, and the National Symphonic Orchestra of the Ukraine under Theodore Kuchar provides a superb partnership. The second concerto, although dating from 1960, is rather similar in style and execution - perhaps not as immediately accessible as the first, but still with engaging melodic material developed with excellent craftsmanship and inspiration. Again the performances are utterly superb.

The Fantasia is a tougher nut, more dissonant but still full of engaging lyricism. All in all, then, this is a superb disc of slightly unfamiliar but thoroughly engaging music, strongly recommended.

In this recording, Naxos again shows that they are the leading record label in the world today. They have tackled projects that other labels fear to even consider.

In this record, James Buswell and Theodore Kuchar present riveting accounts of three marvelous works for violin and orchestra by the late Walter Piston. To all who are interested in American music, I urge you to purchase this CD. You won't be disappointed.

We have a great musical heritage in America. Thankfully, Naxos celebrates our musical past and present. Were it not for their excellent American classics series, many works, including this excellent Piston concerti would go unheard.

Well recorded and performed, especially considering the budget price. The First Concerto shows the influence Copland had on 1930's music. Very western sounding. Second is much more experimental and disjointed, but not obnoxious. A great buy for someone wanting to add Piston to their collection.