Bartók: Concerto For Orchestra; Enesco: Romanian Rhapsodies (Audio CD)

Royal Scottish Orchestra, Neeme Järvi / Chandos Audio CD 1991 (CHAN 8947)

Product Information

• UPC: 095115894729
• Label: Chandos – CHAN 8947
• Format: CD, Album
• Country: Europe
• Release Year: 1991
• Genre: Classical
• Style: Modern
• Composers:Conductor: Neeme Järvi
  • Béla Bartók – Concerto For Orchestra, Sz. 116, BB 123
  • Georges Enesco – Romanian Rhapsodies, Op. 11
• Orchestra: Royal Scottish Orchestra

Overview

Concerto For Orchestra by Béla Bartók is one of the 20th century’s most renowned and accessible orchestral works. Composed in 1943, this five-movement concerto redefines the concerto form by featuring the virtuosity of different sections of the orchestra, rather than a single solo instrument. The score, inscribed “15 August – 8 October 1943,” was premiered in 1944 by the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Serge Koussevitzky and has since become a fixture in the modern repertoire.

Complementing Bartók’s work on this album are Georges Enesco’s Romanian Rhapsodies, which showcase vivid folk influences and dynamic orchestral textures. This dual-program recording, conducted by the acclaimed Neeme Järvi with the Royal Scottish Orchestra, presents both works in a balanced and exciting interpretation that captures the modern spirit of the music.

Product Features

Audio Production & Interpretation

• Sound Quality:
  • Produced to high sonic standards by Chandos, this CD delivers a detailed, transparent stereo mix that highlights the dramatic contrasts and delicate nuances in both Bartók’s and Enesco’s scores.
• Modern Approach:
  • Neeme Järvi’s vibrant leadership brings out the inherent energy and lyricism in Bartók’s Concerto For Orchestra and the rhythmic vitality of Enesco’s Romanian Rhapsodies.
• Dual Programme:
  • The album is structured in two sections:
    • Bartók: Concerto For Orchestra (approx. 40:22) – A five-movement work noted for its innovative soloistic treatment of entire instrumental sections.
    • Enesco: Romanian Rhapsodies – Featuring two contrasting rhapsodies (one in A major and one in D major) with durations of 13:26 and 11:44 respectively.

Educational & Cultural Significance

• Modern Masterpiece:
  • Bartók’s concerto is celebrated not only for its technical brilliance but also for its ability to merge folk influences with modernist orchestral writing.
• Folk Influences:
  • Enesco’s rhapsodies, inspired by Romanian folk music traditions, provide a complementary exploration of cultural heritage through orchestral music.
• Historical Insight:
  • The recording captures both the innovative spirit of post-war modernism and the enduring legacy of folk traditions in classical music.

Track Listing

Bartók: Concerto For Orchestra (Total ~40:22)

1. I. Introduzione, Andante non troppo - Allegro vivace – 10:19
2. II. Giuoco delle coppie, Allegretto scherzando – 6:34
3. III. Elegia, Andante non troppo – 8:42
4. IV. Intermezzo interrotto, Allegretto – 4:34
5. V. Finale, Pesante - Presto – (Approx. 10:13 calculated from total runtime)

Enesco: Romanian Rhapsodies

1. Romanian Rhapsody in A Major, Op. 11, No. 1 – Modéré - Très Vif – 13:26
2. Romanian Rhapsody in D Major, Op. 11, No. 2 – Lent - Vite – 11:44

Interesting Facts

• Innovative Concerto Form:
  Bartók’s Concerto For Orchestra uniquely distributes soloistic passages among various instrument sections, a radical departure from the conventional solo concerto format.
• Historical Context:
  Composed during World War II (1943) and premiered in 1944 by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the work quickly established itself as one of Bartók’s masterpieces.
• Folk Music Fusion:
  Enesco’s Romanian Rhapsodies integrate the spontaneity and charm of Romanian folk tunes with lush orchestral textures—a perfect complement to Bartók’s modernist innovations.
• Renowned Leadership:
  Neeme Järvi, a conductor celebrated for his interpretative clarity and energy, guides the Royal Scottish Orchestra with precision and emotional depth, rendering both works with clarity and passion.

Credits & Production Details

• Art Direction: Vicky Langdale
• Sleeve Design: Jaquetta Sergeant
• Editor: Peter Newble
• Assistant Engineer: Ben Connellan
• Sound Engineer: Ralph Couzens
• Front Cover Illustration: Alexandru Chereches
• Royal Scottish Orchestra Leader: Edwin Paling
• Liner Notes: Christopher Palmer (English), Paulette Hutchinson (Traduction), Renate Maria Wendel (Übersetzung)
• Photography: Neeme Järvi (by Robbie Jack)
• Producer (Recording): Brian Couzens

Publisher Information

This Chandos CD, catalog number CHAN 8947, is produced by Chandos Records and stands as a testament to the innovative spirit of 20th-century orchestral music. Featuring the Royal Scottish Orchestra under the dynamic baton of Neeme Järvi, the recording offers a richly detailed and emotionally engaging experience that is essential for both classical music enthusiasts and academic scholars.

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Hashtags

English:

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German:

#BartókOrchesterkonzert #RumänischeRhapsodie #NeemeJarvi #RoyalScottishOrchester #ChandosCD #ModerneKlassik #20JahrhundertMusik #Bartók #Enesco #OrchesterMeisterwerk