Search - Frank Peter Zimmermann, Desjardins :: Matthias Pintscher: En Sourdine; Tenebrae; Reflections on Narcissus

Fine mysterious music, three inward voyages

R. Hutchinson | a world ruled by fossil fuels and fossil minds | 05/04/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This set of string concertos, one each for violin, viola and cello, does not reach out and grab the listener. So depending on your mood it might seem either rich, deep and entrancing or simply vague and meandering. But I am convinced on repeated listening that it is a superb representation of one of the best of the younger generation of composers, those just making their mark in the new millennium. Not only are the compositions of high quality, but the 2006 performances and recordings for Kairos are equally fine.



Frank Peter Zimmerman plays violin on "en sourdine" (2002 -- 26'33), with Pintscher leading the NDR Sinfonieorchester of Hamburg. The piece features "bright altitude," a reaching up toward the light, punctuated finally by fortissimo tutti only at the culmination. In contrast, the darker tones of Christophe Desjardins's viola on "tenebrae" (2000/01 -- 15'58), with Pintscher leading the Ensemble Intercontemporain with subtle electronics, explore a more mysterious, shadowy realm. Both of these pieces require concentration in order to appreciate as there is no forward momentum, no melody, and little dynamic contrast, especially in "tenebrae." They will try the patience of traditional classical music listeners, and for avant-garde afficionados, keep in mind that just as you probably don't want to listen to Feldman's long, late pieces under all circumstances, likewise these works will reveal themselves only if you reach toward them and penetrate their somewhat oblique surface.



"Reflections for Narcissus" (2004/05 -- 35'21) is altogether more engaging, with more dynamic and more emotional lines, played by Truls Mork, over a periodically loud and menacing NDR Sinfonieorchester, led again by the composer. After the inward modernism of the first two pieces, "Narcissus" marks a striking synthesis of the modern and Romantic sensibilities. This is certainly one of the best cello concertos of recent years, and I would say one of the best compositions so far in the young new millennium. While not program music per se, the title and the work's progression are certainly suggestive of some sort of internal crisis being worked through -- some sort of character development.



This disc overall and "Narcissus" in particular are strong statements from Pintscher, born in 1971 in Marl, Germany, and based as of this writing (January, 2010) in New York City. I look forward to hearing more from him in years to come.



(verified purchase from ArkivMusic)

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