A busy weekend ahead …
Classical music coming in waves this weekend. The Orange County Register, Oct. 29, 2015.
Henk Badings: Symphony No. 12, ‘Symphonische Klangfiguren’ (1964)
David Porcelijn conducts the Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra.
To hear others in my Neglected Symphonies series, click here.
Camargo Guarneri: Symphony No. 4, ‘Brasilia’ (1963)
John Neschling conducts the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra.
I. Allegro energico
II. Lento e tragico
III. Energico trionfante
To hear others in my Neglected Symphonies series, click here.
De Angelis Vocal Ensemble opens 11th season
Review: De Angelis ensemble opens season with exploration. The Orange County Register, Oct. 26, 2015
Pacific Symphony does right by Brahms and Schumann
Review: St.Clair and Pacific Symphony do right by Schumann and Brahms. The Orange County Register, Oct. 23, 2015.
Roger Kalia to debut as Pacific Symphony assistant conductor
Profile: New Pacific Symphony assistant conductor debuts with Halloween concert. The Orange County Register, Oct. 22, 2015.
Otto Ketting: Symphony No. 6 (2012)
James Gaffigan conducts the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra.
Lang Lang opens season for Philharmonic Society
Review: Lang Lang triumphs at Philharmonic Society opening. The Orange County Register, Oct. 20, 2015.
Luis de Freitas Branco: Symphony No. 1 (1924)
I post the music above not because it is some sort of lost masterpiece. The piece has some dull patches and cliched utterances. But it also has some gorgeous moments and memorable themes and, overall, is well put together. I’m quite taken with it. Give it a listen, see what you think.
Luis de Freitas Branco (1890-1955) was a Portuguese composer. His Symphony No. 1 was written in 1924. As you will hear, the work is clearly modeled on Franck’s Symphony in D minor, and is rather conservative in style (especially compared to what else was being written in the 1920s). I had never even heard of Freitas Branco before I came upon this work, which is the type of piece we never hear in the concert hall these days because we seem afraid to stray beyond certified masterpieces and great composers and box office imperatives.
Anyway, I don’t want to make too big of a deal about this piece. It’s interesting and enjoyable. I’ve listened to it twice and parts of it are sticking in my ears.
Kalevi Aho: Symphony No. 1 (1969)
Esa Heikkila conducts the Lahti Symphony Orchestra.
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