Enticed by Fantastic Scherzo, Moved by A Summer Tale
Timothy Kearney | Hull, MA United States | 09/01/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Like many classical music lovers, I was more familiar with Joseph Suk's biography than I was with his music. His happy years as a husband with a famous father-in-law (Antonin Dvorak) and the loss he felt when his wife died is a somewhat well known tale, as is the darkness of his music after he was widowed. Yet with the exception of his march "Toward a New Life" and perhaps his "Serenade for Strings," which is often paired on recordings with his father in law's work of the same title, I did not know any of his music. Then our local classical station, WCRB began playing "Fantastic Scherzo" with some regularity. I mistakenly thought it was a piece by Dvorak until I heard the announcer state the work's title. I decided this work is a must have, and so I purchased the recording.
My primary interest in the recording is "Fantastic Scherzo." Sir Charles Mackerras brings out the entire flavor this sumptuous and dreamy piece has to offer. It surprises me that the work is not a more popular concert piece and is not available on more recordings, yet I cannot imagine that the work would be significantly better handled by any other conductor.
Since I purchased the disc primarily for "Fantastic Scherzo," I was not all that interested in "A Summer Tale," at least at first. One day while driving, I decided to give it a listening to, and was amazed at its beauty and complexity. While "Fantastic Scherzo" is a lighter work, reminiscent of his famous father-in-law, "A Summer Tale" reflects other early twentieth century musical influences, particularly Mahler. Listeners will see a variety in the styles of the various movements. As one can except from a conductor such as Mackerras, he explores the work's nuances and subtleties well and is in complete control of the orchestra.
Recordings such as this show that Suk deserves more attention than he often receives. Since most record labels are somewhat skittish (a mild understatement) about releasing new recordings, we may not find all that many new recordings of Suk's work in the near future, but at least we have this recording to give us a glimpse of what we are missing.
"
Massive and Mahlerian
Bruce Hodges | New York, NY | 07/29/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Josef Suk should be far better known, especially when promoted by terrific recordings like this one. Anyone who admires the vast landscapes of Strauss or Mahler should respond to Suk's equally compelling terrain. The main draw here is "A Summer's Tale," a gigantic tone poem that perfectly harnesses the resources of a huge orchestra -- in this case, the glorious Czech Philharmonic. Sir Charles Mackerras, long an advocate of composers like Janacek and Martinu, here shows that Suk should also be as well-known as either of these. The filler, the "Fantastic Scherzo," is performed with equal commitment and fervor. (To my ears, the piece needs a new title; it's a little more laid-back and congenial than the word "scherzo" normally indicates.)Decca's recording is clear, warm and detailed, and only adds to the impact. This is an exceptional recording of seldom-played repertoire, and can't be recommended highly enough. (NB: For those interested in hearing another outstanding version of "A Summer's Tale," a Virgin recording with Libor Pesek and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is also quite marvelous.)"
Fabulous music in excellent performances and sumptuous sound
G.D. | Norway | 05/28/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a truly marvelous disc. A Summer's Tale was completed in 1909 and is cast in five movements and dressed in a magically shimmering, evocative and almost impressionistic musical language. Suk subtitled it `musical poem', but it is more a (sort of) symphonic suite than a coherent single work. It is none the worse for it, and who can fail to be entranced by the utterly enchanting, almost otherwordly "Noon", containing some of the most inspired and enthralling music I have heard in a long time - or the woeful, dark conversations between instrumental groups (particularly fine use of the cor anglais) in `Blind Musicians'. Overall, this is an extremely appealing work, and - I'd be willing to say - something of an overlooked masterpiece; mysterious and fantastic-sounding and genuinely memorable music of halflights and shadows, often breathtakingly beautiful, but with a surging, smoldering emotional power underneath.
The coupling here, the Fantastic Scherzo from 1903, is another gem, full of life and swagger and with a delightful and memorable second subject. Now, there are apparently alternative versions under Gielen and Pesek (at least), which I have not heard, but this recording under Mackerras is superb. The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra is outstanding, and the textures and colors they create truly marvelous (just listen to the woodwind contributions); lucid and lush and nuanced, and Mackerras' pacing and shaping of this music is no less compelling. The Fantastic Scherzo is performed with élan as well.
Another asset is the superb recorded sound, with a richness and space and perspective rarely matched on record, with a huge dynamic range (a little too much so for some listeners, I'll grudgingly admit). All in all, this is something of a must - urgently recommended."
Track Listings (6) - Disc #1