A Few More from KWN

 By Karl W Nehring

Just a week ago I presented an annotated list of my favorite recordings from 2022. As this year comes to a close, I’d like to take the opportunity to say a few quick words about several recordings that made quite an impression on me over this past year but that for various reasons to be discussed below did not get included in that list. Here we go!

Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 6 in E minor; English Folk Songs; Symphony No. 8 in D minor; England, my England. Martyn Brabbins, conductor; BBC Symphony Orchestra; BBC Symphony Chorus; Roderic Williams, baritone. Hyperion CDA68396

There’s a simple and straightforward reason why this one did not show up on my list – I overlooked it. When I realized I had done so, I felt terrible, for it truly was one of my favorites of the year. What’s worse, when I finished my list, I was amazed that there were no symphonic recordings on it. Well, there should been. This recording led by British conductor Martyn Brabbins (b. 1959) belongs right up there in any discussion of the best recordings of RVW’s symphonies. If you have never heard the Vaughan Williams Symphony No. 6, this new release from Hyperion would be a perfect introduction, with an excellent account of Symphony No. 8 as a bonus. Add to that the splendid engineering and a recommendation falls right into place. Review can be found here: https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2022/10/vaughan-williams-symphony-no-6-in-e.html

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 1-7; Tapiola Op. 112; Three Late Fragments. Klaus Mäkelä, Oslo Philharmonic. Decca 455 2256 (4 CDs)

This fine Sibelius set is not something I overlooked; instead, it was on my list until the very end, just missing the cut along with a couple of other recordings when I felt as though the list was just becoming too long. I had planned to keep the list at the usual ten and wound up with a baker’s dozen. The young Finnish conductor Klaus Mäkelä (b. 1996) caused quite a stir earlier this year when Decca released this set of then complete Sibelius symphonies conducted by a relatively unknown young man in his mid-twenties. As usual, there were mixed reactions, with some reviewers just not being able to get past Mäkelä’s age and perceived lack of credentials, others lavishing heady praise on an outstanding new release. I would not have bothered to say anything more about it had not a prominent American critic who is prolifically active on YouTube (and who does an amazingly good job of generating interest in classical music) just ripped this release a new orifice – but not by citing its musical qualities. Instead, his attack focused on the young age of conductor Klaus Mäkelä. Hmmm. My “keeper” box set has been the Vanska/Lahti on BIS; however, as good as the engineering is on that set, the Decca team has surpassed it. The sound is smooth, clear, and natural. No, I’ve not heard every Sibelius set out there, but I’ve heard a number of them, and a whole bunch of individual releases – this set has the best overall sound I’ve yet encountered. With excellent performances, superb engineering, and some truly rare music, this is a set worthy of consideration by Sibelius fans. Review here: https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2022/10/new-releases-no-37.html

The following releases are not recordings that I reviewed in 2022. In fact, none is a recording that was released in 2022. No, these are recordings that have really made an impression on me in 2022, recordings that I am still trying to take in. Perhaps you too will find them of interest.

Per Nørgård: 8 Symphonies. CD 1) Symphonies Nos. 3 & 7. Danish National Symphony Orchestra, Danish National Vocal Ensemble, Danish National Concert Choir, conducted by Thomas Dausgaard. CD 2) Symphony No. 1 “Sinfonia austera” op. 13; Symphony No. 8. Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Sakari Oramu. CD 3) Symphony No. 6 “At the End of the Day”; Symphony No. 2 – In One Movement. Oslo Philharmonic, conducted by John Storgårds. CD 4) Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5. Oslo Philharmonic, conducted by John Storgårds. Dacapo 8.204002

This compilation was released as a boxed set in 2016. What we have here are eight different symphonies conducted by three different conductors and three different orchestras. The time period covered stretches from 1953 (when work on Symphony No. 1 was begun) through 2011 (when Symphony No. 8 was completed). This is complex music, but not forbidding. As I began listening to it, I found myself bccoming excited – Nørgård was inviting me to enter a new musical realm, much like Mahler had invited me 50 years before. I am going to need to spend much more time with this set to even begin to feel as though I can confidently navigate my way around Nørgård’s sound world, but I am looking forward to continuing the journey that I have started. What a fascinating composer!

Martinû: Symphonies. CD 1) Symphonies Nos.1 & 5. CD 2) Symphonies Nos. 2 & 6 (Fantasies symphoniques). CD 3) Symohonies 3 & 4. Bryden Thompson, Royal Scottish National Orchestra. CHANDOS Classics CHAN 10316(3)

When classical music fans talk about composers of symphonies, the name Martinû is not likely to pop up right away, if at all. That is a shame, for the man wrote some marvelous music, with his six symphonies standing as prime examples. This set led by the late Scottish conductor Bryden Thomson (1928-1991) is well performed and well recorded. Originally released in 1991 and then digitally remastered in 2005, it is now available at a fairly low price. If you have never heard this  music, this set would be a great way to introduce yourself to something different and delightful.

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And now for something completely different. The final recording I am going to mention is not a classical release. Although I have reviewed jazz recordings in the past, arguing that some jazz is akin to chamber music, this CD is not a jazz recording either. No, it is a (brace yourself) rock recording. What’s worse, it’s from a band that a lot of folks have not heard of, and whose recordings are not always easy to track down.

That band is Low, and the specific recording is titled Things We Lost in the Fire, which was released in 2001. The nucleus of the band was a married couple, Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker; sadly, Mimi was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2020 from which she passed away at age 55 on November 5, 2022. I had barely started listening to Low when I learned of her death, which came as a total shock. A friend of mine who had played in a band that had toured briefly with Low some years back recommended this album as a good place to start to seriously delve into their sound.

From the first time I heard it, I was transfixed. They sing and play straight to the heart. I became obsessed with them, listening to their music via streaming and searching out videos of their live performances on YouTube, which of course you could do should you be so inclined. Over and over again over the past couple of months I have found myself returning to this album, which somehow speaks directly to me. Should you ever actually give this album a listen, or watch one of their performances on YouTube, perhaps you’ll be as entranced as I am. Perhaps you’ll think I’m nuts. In any event, enjoy this holiday season, and be grateful for the gift of music. You can hear a podcast about the making of the album here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4EtEA-v4bU

KWN