Favourite English Strings

Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra · Benjamin Britten · Edward Elgar · Frank Bridge

2016 · Physical and digital · ABCD 387

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Credits

Performers: Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra
Composers: Benjamin BrittenEdward ElgarFrank BridgeGerald Finzi
Conductors and other contributors: Sakari Oramo — Conductor

About this release

"The British Isles have their own kind of musical tradition. They talk about 'pastoralism', idealized countryside and rural landscapes, probably longing for a time of innocence, where restraint and propriety still rule.
Elgar managed to combine reserved British sentimentality with strong German compositional skills, and in his works at the turn of the century he emerged as one of Europe's finest composers. In the generation of composers of the new century following Elgar, skilled and personable composers such as Gustav Holst and Ralph Vaughan Williams began to be found. An interesting name is also their peer, Frank Bridge, born in 1879, whose music had a touch more of Central European modernism, even expressionism. Bridge's music deeply influenced, among others, the young Benjamin Britten.
The Central Ostrobothnia Chamber Orchestra is known for its strong intensity, which is characteristic of, for example, Shostakovich. Committed, well-rehearsed interpretations usually guarantee quality. But for my taste, Britten's music also lacks sonorous and rhythmic purity and precision, which this time is a little lacking. A rough and strongly emotional take is not suited to bring Britten's qualities to life."
Yle Klassinen/Ville Komppa 3 June 2016

Tracks

Variations on a Theme of Frank Bridge Op.10
1.Introduction Theme, Variation 1 Adagiocomp. Benjamin BrittenISRC FIABA16000314:02
2.Variation 2 Marchcomp. Benjamin BrittenISRC FIABA16000321:10
3.Variation 3 Romancecomp. Benjamin BrittenISRC FIABA16000331:35
4.Variation 4 Aria Italianacomp. Benjamin BrittenISRC FIABA16000341:25
5.Variation 5 Bourrée classiquecomp. Benjamin BrittenISRC FIABA16000351:22
6.Variation 6 Wiener Waltzercomp. Benjamin BrittenISRC FIABA16000362:43
7.Variation 7 Moto perpetuocomp. Benjamin BrittenISRC FIABA16000371:12
8.Variation 8 Funeral Marchcomp. Benjamin BrittenISRC FIABA16000383:55
9.Variation 9 Chantcomp. Benjamin BrittenISRC FIABA16000391:40
10.Variation 10 Fugue and Finalecomp. Benjamin BrittenISRC FIABA16000408:19
Serenade for Strings Op.20
11.I Allegro piacevolecomp. Edward ElgarISRC FIABA16000413:10
12.II Larghettocomp. Edward ElgarISRC FIABA16000425:30
13.III Allegrettocomp. Edward ElgarISRC FIABA16000432:57
14.Romance for String Orchestra Op.11comp. Gerald FinziISRC FIABA16000447:50
15.Three Idylls for String Quartet: II Allegretto poco lentocomp. Frank BridgeISRC FIABA16000453:43
Two Old English Songs
16.Sally in our Alleycomp. Frank BridgeISRC FIABA16000463:30
17.Cherry Ripecomp. Frank BridgeISRC FIABA16000473:47

Reviews

It’s preceded here by uncommonly shapely and refreshingly mobile readings of Elgar’s Serenade and Finzi’s wistful Romance, which reveal once more Oramo’s comprehensive understanding of this repertoire.
Gramophone · Andrew Achenbach · August 23, 2016
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Sous la baguette de Sakari Oramo, l’orchestre garde le style et le son particuliers qui marquent ses prestations et qui servent si bien ce programme tout anglais.
ConcertoNet.com · Christine Labroche · December 8, 2016
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The Ostrobothnians sound better to me—smoother, less “edgy” (not a good word referring to strings). They avoid works that would gain a lot from a gain in strings, and they play well.
American Record Guide · Donald R Vroon · January 5, 2017
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The inner voices of this superb early work by Britten have never bounced and glistened as they do here; the string playing from top to bottom is simply electrifying.
The Art Music Lounge · Lynn René Bayley · November 7, 2017
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”Britteinsaarilla on omanlaisensa musiikillinen perinne. Puhutaan “pastoralismista”, idealisoidusta maaseudusta ja maalaismaisemista, kaiketi kaipuusta viattomuuden aikaan, missä pidättyväisyys ja soveliaisuus yhä hallitsevat.
Elgar onnistui yhdistämään brittiläisen pidättyväisen sentimentaalisuuden vahvaan saksalaisperäiseen sävellysosaamiseen, ja vuosisadan vaihteen teoksissaan hän nousi yhdeksi Euroopan hienoimmista säveltäjistä. Elgaria seuraavasta uuden vuosisadan säveltäjäsukupolvesta…
Ville Komppa 3.6.2016 · Yle Klassinen
KUUKAUDEN LEVY/RONDO CLASSIC 7/2016
”Maa ilman musiikkia” oli saksalaisen kriitikon Oskar Adolf Hermann Schmitzin 1900-luvun alussa lausuma tuomio Britanniasta, ja se on jäänyt elämään osana kulttuuridebattia. No, enää lausumalla ei ole pohjaa, sillä saarivaltakunnan nykymusiikki on hyvin elävää. Vanhemman musiikin suhteen taas on kysyttäv, paljonko esitysperinteessä on syytä mielikuvaan.
Kapellimestari Sakari Oramo on jo useassa yhteydessä kunnostautunut brittimusiikin raikastajana, ja työ…
RONDO CLASSIC 7/2016 · KUUKAUDEN LEVY