Search - Paul Creston, Gerard Schwarz, Seattle Symphony Orchestra :: Paul Creston: Symphony No. 5; Toccatta; Partita

Contemporary music with a traditional sound.

Hayward H. Siegel | East Meadow, New York United States | 11/27/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Creston was a 20th Century composer, but his music is not modern sounding. He gives preference to traditional music. The Toccata is energetic and dance-like in the opening section, becomes more tranquil as it progresses, and then closes on an energetic note. There are several passages in which various instruments play solo for brief periods, only to be replaced by another solo instrument; this changing of instruments is done quite smoothly. Symphony No. 5 is in 3 movements and well orchestrated. There is a feeling of constant motion in the 1st movement. It starts off gently, but gets more rhythmic and dramatic. Movement 2 is more melodic, with a smooth flow between tranquil and dramatic sections. The 3rd movement is very rhythmic and dance-like. Out of the Cradle is a beautiful piece of music which portrays flight over the sea. There are several passages for solo instruments. You get the feeling, from the music, of ascending and descending during flight, in both calm and stormy weather. Partita is in 5 movements. It is for solo flute, solo violin, and strings. It has the sound of a baroque concerto grosso, and you sometimes listen intently to hear the harpsichord, but then realize there is none playing. Invocation and Dance starts gently, but becomes energetic and chaotic. The music on this recording is quite easy to listen to, but I am constrained to give it only 4 stars, because of the engineering. The volume is low and the music sometimes sounds muffled. It does not affect the passages in which solo instruments play, but you do not get the effect of the full orchestra when it plays loudly, and it is sometimes difficult to hear the music of the very quiet passages. Keep the volume high for this CD."