Search - Norman Dello Joio, Peter Schickele, Vincent Persichetti :: Music by Norman Dello Joio, Peter Schickele & Vincent Persichetti

Crank up the volume for Schickele's "Pentangle"!

Leonard J. Raham | East Hampton, CT. USA | 02/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I cannot believe this fine cd hasn't found a wider audience, or at least those to comment on it.
Peter Schickele's explosive and lyrical "Pentangle, Five Songs for French Horn and Orchestra" would be worth the price of this cd alone. I think those usually not into classical might especially enjoy it. For some reason, it reminds me of a cross between what the Moody Blues ("Days of the Future Past") and Bernard Herrmann might have done. The horns and the tympani will arouse your slumbering speakers.The other pieces on this cd preceding and following Schickele -"Homage to Haydn" by Norman Dello Joio and "Symphony No. 8" by Vincent Persichetti are a bit more introspective, yet still very likable and approachable. I especially enjoyed the slow, serious openings to both these pieces.
The sound quality, for an ADD, is excellent.
All in all, highly recommended!"

Unsung Heroes of Modern Classical Music

Ramsay Macinnes | Cherry Valley, Ma United States | 04/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If more people were aware of Professor Schickele's "Peter" side rather than just his PDQ material, it would be a whole lot more popular. People just don't realize it's out there to be heard! (Use Amazon to get a list; unfortunately much of his output is difficult to locate, but worth the effort).
"Pentangle" is a melodic masterpiece, one with which you can identify with after hearing it even once. The horn player gets his gig, but the wealth of the music of each individual section is spread over the whole orchestra. It is down-to-earth without being too simplistic, and cleverly harmonious without pretense. It bridges the gap between classical & rock-and-roll. It is much easier to listen to samples and prove it to yourself.
While "Pentangle" is the highlight of this collection, the other 2 offerings by notable Italian-American composers fill out the 70-odd minute concert. Both have contributed excellent concert-band music in their careers.
Again, if more people are acquainted with this type of music, the disc would have a sale rank of much higher than 85-thousand. That dosen't do it justice. Put aside your grand-canyons and elvira-madigans for a while and dig a little deeper."

Schickele saves it

Greg Weeden | Eau Claire, WI USA | 01/23/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If one listens to this CD while skipping over the Schickele horn piece they will most likely be disappointed. Both the Dello Joio and Persichetti pieces are somewhat dull... they aren't necessarily bad, they are merely boorish. Neither of them has any spectacular moments that one will tend to remember throughout the ages... they really just sit on the album and take up space. The Schickele piece however makes up for them. The piece seems to have the feel of being a day in a medieval village... the first movement, "Cottonwood Grove", brings to mind a pastoral scene, perhaps of the morning beginning. It has an incredibly simple melody which helps to bring about its feeling of utter peace. The second movement, "Tom On The Town", is a playful yet grand movement. It feels to me like it portrays a simple peasant out in the village market, overlooked by most, yet carrying himself in his own grand manner, happy and secure with his life. "Noonsong", the third movement, is another peaceful and pastoral piece. It shows much of Peter Schickele's unparalleled creativity, as the piece requires the horn player to sing as he is playing. This creates a very interesting sound and harmonies. The fourth movement, "Ladies and Gentlemen, The Amazing And Amusing Professor Presto", is an uproarious and joyful piece, with much of the typical Schickele syncopated underlying rhythms. The final movement, "The Riddling Knight", tells the story of a knight who will only take as a bride the woman who can answer his riddles. This is made rather obvious by not only the title, but also by the singing of the horn player. Yes, the horn player must sing the story in this movement. Luckily there are apparently some horn players who can sing well..."