Search - Jacob Gade, Matthias Aeschbacher, Odense Symphony Orchestra :: Jakob Gade: Jealousy - Suites, Tangos & Waltzes [Hybrid SACD]

The Evergreen 'Jalousie' and More by Jacob Gade

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 01/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jacob Gade (1879 - 1963) was a Danish composer, mostly of light orchestral music with a reputation in his time rather like that of America's Leroy Anderson. Today he is remembered for a single tune, the familiar 'Tango Jalousie', given its première in 1925. It was an instant international hit, was featured in over 100 films, and the royalties from the tune allowed Gade to devote himself to composition full-time for the rest of his life. The royalties now fund a foundation for young musicians. Until I got this CD, however, I had not known who composed 'Jalousie' ('Jealousy') and when I saw it was by Gade I casually assumed it might have been by the more famous earlier Danish composer Niels Gade. But, of course, I was wrong. And that's how one learns more about the inexhaustible treasure of classical music. I was delighted by this disc which starts off with the familiar tango but goes on to include other music of a like sort, although none quite as catchy as that tango.



'Leda and the Swan, Légende d'Amour' (1939) is a lyrical eleven-minute ballet score which, using faintly Near Eastern-sounding melodies, limns the famous Greek legend. It has memorable melodies and evocative orchestration. 'Suite d'Amour' (1940) is a light-hearted three-movement bijou that reminds me at times of Lumbye. 'Rhapsodietta' (1931) is subtitled 'Tibirke', named for Tibirke Mill where Gade had a summer cottage for many years. He also referred to it as his 'Danish Rhapsodietta' and its melodic contours are typical Danish.



'Romanesca' (1935) is another tango. It begins with a torchy virtuosic solo violin cadenza -- Gade himself had been a working violinist in his earlier years -- followed by a brilliantly orchestrated tango proper. It had some international play but was never anywhere near as popular as 'Jalousie.' 'Wedding at Himmelpind' (1937) is a four-movement suite depicting a rustic wedding. Gade said it was inspired by memories of weddings attended in his own rural childhood.



The disc concludes with three waltzes. 'Valse Capriccio' (1943) is a Viennese-inspired waltz for solo violin and, originally, café orchestra; it has been arranged for full orchestra by Ole Høyer. (The solo violinist is not specified in the booklet.) 'Copenhagen Life, Waltz' (1937) is actually subtitled 'Vienna waltz' and first appeared in a theatrical piece called 'Det kære Købnhavn' ('Dear Old Copenhagen'). This delicious waltz does in fact sound very much like either a Strauss or Lumbye waltz. The final selection is 'Douces Secrets, Valse Lente' (1919), the earliest piece here. It was originally by salon orchestras used in cafés and tearooms. It is a dreamy thing and quite a lovely way to end this delightful CD.



This disc was originally issued in plain vanilla stereo ten years ago and has been remastered in rich sound for SACD. The Odense Symphony under Matthias Aeschbacher does itself proud.



Scott Morrison

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