Customer Reviews

Zwilich: Symphony 4 / Concerto for horn & string orchestra / Concerto for bass Trombone, Strings, Timpani and Cymbals

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

 

 

I heard of this recording about two years ago and finally it has been released. My being a horn player puts me in a predicament, since I immediately went to the horn concerto to hear Jolley's interpetations of this concerto in which he commissioned and premiered. His playing is flawless, as is often found on his other recordings. The concerto on the other hand is a bit repetitious, and is easy on the ear but doesn't grab you like other contemporary horn concertos. Charles Vernon's playing on the concerto which was written for him is quite remarkable, I am a big fan of Vernon's orchestral playing, and truly see him as an artist and soloist, not just an orchestral jock. The Symphony no.4, is a nice piece, but nothing to really shout about. Overall the disc is fine, hence the 4 stars.

I am in the MSU Children's Choir, so perhaps I am a bit biased (since I am on this disc!), but I think that this recording turned out superbly. I would recommend it to anyone who likes full-bodied modern orchestral music. This CD is very special to everyone who worked on it, and I am happy that it has had good reviews!!

Ellen Zwilich's 4th Symphony (The Gardens) was written to commemorate and immortalize rare and endangered, as well as common, species of plants in the Michigan State University gardens. This piece has moments of wonder and hope for the future ("We will protect our heritage!" sings the children's chorus), as well as questions of what might have been ("Meditation on Living Fossils" has segments that make me think of wiry limbs trying desperately to cling to life, and not quite succeeding).

David Jolley and Charles Vernon are masters of their instruments, and soar through these concerti, commissioned for them specifically. While both concerti can be dark and desolate at times, they are stunningly performed and recorded. And the Michigan State University Orchestra and Leon Gregorian perform with passion throughout. Kudos to all involved.

The soloist, Jolley and Vernon, are great to listen to. The music is very typical Zwilich. i.e. Her horn concerto sounds like her bassoon concerto, which sounds like her symphony, which sounds like her oboe concerto...etc. But there is still is something flavorful in her music.

I'm sure Gregorian worked with Zwilich for the recording but I still find his interpretation a bit elementary. The Michigan State Symphony shows much promise but this recording overall, is a bit stagnant!