Albert Russel: Orchestral Works, Vol. 4

Albert Russel: Orchestral Works, 4 - Naxos (USA) - NXS 8572135 - 747313213573
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Label: Naxos (USA)
Catalog No: NXS 8572135
Format: CD
Release Date: 2010-03-30
Number of Discs: 1
Running time: 1 hr. 9 min.
Mono/Stereo: Stereo
UPC Code: 747313213573

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> Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 53 - I. Lento
> Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 53 - II. Lento molto
> Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 53 - III. Allegro scherzando
> Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 53 - IV. Allegro molto
> Rapsodie flamande, Op. 56 - Rapsodie Flamande, Op. 56
> Petite suite, Op. 39 - I. Aubade
> Petite suite, Op. 39 - II. Pastorale
> Petite suite, Op. 39 - III. Mascarade
> Concert for Small Orchestra, Op. 34 - I. Allegro
> Concert for Small Orchestra, Op. 34 - II. Andante
> Concert for Small Orchestra, Op. 34 - III. Presto
> Sinfonietta, Op. 52 - I. Allegro molto
> Sinfonietta, Op. 52 - II. Andante
> Sinfonietta, Op. 52 - III. Allegro

Notes & Reviews:

Following a period of soul-searching during the mid-1920s, and as his music gained success outside France during the 1930s, Albert Roussel took the rhythmic dynamism, thematic integration and formal lucidity of his Third Symphony (8570245) to new heights with his less well-known Fourth, notable for its intensely wrought slow movement. The pungent Sinfonietta, the Flemish Rhapsody, which draws on popular songs of the Belgian provinces, the picturesque Petite Suite and the exquisite Concerto for small orchestra showcase the composer's colourful orchestration and fastidious craftsmanship. Roussel's Symphony No. 2 (8570529) gained The Gramophone Editor's Choice.

"an excellent disc, splendidly and idiomatically performed and a superb advertisement for composer, conductor and orchestra. Highly recommended." -Gramophone Magazine

"The mysterious central Andante, recalling Roussel's early period, is utterly magical in Denève's hands...there is beautiful playing from the RSNO, especially in the opening of the final movement, and some marvellous moments, such as the first climax of the Lento molto." -BBC Music Magazine ***



Reviews

Albert Roussel: Symphony No 4 and other Orchestra works
When I studied with Nadia Boulanger at the Conservatoire de Fontainebleau, she was about 86 years old and told the most wonderful stories about composers then dead. Albert Roussel figured large in her lexicon, his 3rd and 4th symphonies being considered by her as neoclassical masterpieces. Although his symphonic music has been fairly represented on record and CD over the years, I cannot recall coming across a concert with his music on the program in the USA. Pity. His music is very good and the last two symphonies certainly deserve to be in the orchestral repertoire. But it is not easy being a French composer and a contemporary of Ravel and Debussy. This CD is a continuation of the excellent NAXOS Roussel series with Stéphane Denève conducting the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. On it are Roussel's often dark and brooding Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 53 and his relatively brief Sinfonietta, Op 52, both excellent works from his late maturity. The earlier Petite Suite, Op. 39 and Concert for Small Orchestra, Op. 34 are delightful and spirited works, beautifully orchestrated, with dreamy slow movements somewhat reminiscent of Debussy, Ravel and Fauré. The Rhapsodie Flamande, Op. 56 is the only work that I find less than wonderful, but it is interesting enough and in the company of his great fourth Symphony and the other pieces on the disc serves to round out the view of his later works. The performances are first rate. It is interesting to note that Bohuslav Martinu was a pupil of Roussel's in Paris. In listening to this music, one can recognize elements of the master's style that appear in the younger man's music. This is a modestly priced CD that is worth every penny.
Submitted on 04/27/10 by Leni Bogat 
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Works Details

>Roussel, Albert : Symphony no 4 in A major, Op. 53
  • Conductor: Stéphane Denève
  • Notes: Henry Wood Hall (08/13/2008/08/14/2008)
  • Running Time: 22 min. 40 sec.
  • Period Time: Post Romantic
  • Form: Orchestral
  • Written: 1934

>Roussel, Albert : Rapsodie flamande, symphonic poem, Op. 56
  • Conductor: Stéphane Denève
  • Notes: Henry Wood Hall, Glasgow, UK (10/17/2006/10/18/2006)
  • Running Time: 9 min. 59 sec.
  • Period Time: Post Romantic
  • Written: 1936

>Roussel, Albert : Petite suite, for orchestra, Op. 39
  • Conductor: Stéphane Denève
  • Notes: Henry Wood Hall (08/13/2008/08/14/2008)
  • Running Time: 12 min. 59 sec.
  • Period Time: Post Romantic
  • Written: 1929

>Roussel, Albert : Concerto for Small Orchestra, Op. 34
  • Conductor: Stéphane Denève
  • Notes: City Hall, Glasgow, Scotland (08/14/2008); Henry Wood Hall (08/14/2008); City Hall, Glasgow, Scotland (10/20/2008/10/21/2008); Henry Wood Hall (10/20/2008/10/21/2008)
  • Running Time: 13 min. 10 sec.
  • Period Time: Post Romantic
  • Form: Concerto

>Roussel, Albert : Sinfonietta for strings, Op. 52
  • Conductor: Stéphane Denève
  • Notes: Henry Wood Hall (05/30/2007-06/01/2007)
  • Running Time: 9 min. 30 sec.
  • Period Time: Post Romantic
  • Form: Orchestral
  • Written: 1934