Search - Darius Milhaud, Pinchas Steinberg, Munich Radio Orchestra :: Milhaud: Violinkonzert No. 1 & 2; Concertino de Printemps; Le B?uf sur le toit

Little-known Milhaud

Ralphus | Goyang, Gynggi-Do Korea (South) | 02/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Darius Milhaud is probably best known for "The Creation of the World", his seminal fusion of classical music and jazz, and for one of the works featured on this recording: "Le Boeuf sur le toit". Wind musicians are also familiar with some of his other works - "Scaramouche" (for saxophone & piano/orchestra, later arranged for 2 pianos) or the "Sonatine" for clarinet & piano etc. But, by and large, very few of his very many works are regularly performed. He was incredibly prolific. For example, the 2nd violin concerto, of 1946, is his opus 263! Ravel once remarked, while struggling with his Sonata for Violin and Cello, that Milhaud could have written "...4 symphonies, 5 quartets and several settings of lyric poems by Paul Claudel..." in the same amount of time.



It is true that much of his music has not escaped the ravages of fashion and is generally of uneven quality.

The violin works on this disc (and "Le Boeuf sur le toit") show, however, that he was a fine composer with a penchant for wittiness and lightheartedness. He also had a predilection for poly-tonality, which he believed was capable of great expressiveness.



The first concerto, written while under the influence of Satie and "Le Six", is very brief. The first movement is reminiscent, to me, of the "fiddle" part in Stravinsky's "A Soldier's Tale". The catchy slow movement sounds vaguely like two drunken cowboys dancing a slow waltz. After a likewise brief final movement, the concerto is over in the blink of an eye (or ear?).



The 2nd concerto is more serious. As its composition date would suggest, WWII was still fresh in Milhaud's mind. It has a darkness to it that you may not normally associate with Milhaud.



The "Concertino de printemps", which has occassionally appeared on disc, is another slight work and is, in my opinion, the least interesting piece on the CD.



This performance of "Le Boeuf sur le toit" is an absolute joy: vibrant, energetic and highly polished. It's easily the best performance I've heard of this work. Milhaud's original intention was that this piece should accompany a Charlie Chaplin film. In the end, it became a surreal ballet by Jean Cocteau. The music captures the burlesque fun of the music hall. The Brazilian rhythms are infectious and the guiro player has a ball. Just a thought, I wonder why they didn't include the version for violin and orchestra? Milhaud revels in polytonal 'wrong notes' in that version and it's a hoot! (see: Le Boeuf Sur le Toit)



Arabella Steinbacher is a fine young talent. She deserves great admiration for her committment to these lesser known works. Her virtuosity and musicianship are equally impressive. The Munich Radio Orchestra, with whom I am otherwise unfamiliar, play outstandingly. The recording quality is excellent too. I hear so many details in "Le Boeuf..." that I have never heard before and the balance between the various sections of the orchestra is spot on. Hats off to the trumpeters too, by the way! In fact, the entire orchestra sounds like they're really enjoying themselves.



Highly recommended for those who love French music, the violin or just something different.







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