Search - Alexandre Tansman, Marcin Naleçz-Niesiolowski, Symphony Orchestra of the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic :: Tansman: Works for Orchestra

Most popular Tansman work for orchestra?

AndrewCF | Brockton, MA USA | 08/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tansman: Bric à Brac/Symphony No. 4Tansman: Symphonies, Vol. 1 [Hybrid SACD]

Tansman's Symphony No. 4 is currently represented by a few recordings. The consensus seems to be that this is his finest work for orchestra. It is a work of sensuality and vision. It was written at a time when Stravinsky's influence on the composer had not become all-encompassing, nor does it have the neo-Classic element which was to become pervasive. Of the three recordings listed here, this release on the Polish label Dux is the finest. While the recording does not nearly match the Chandos disk (even though that recording could be more resonant), it allows all the sophisticated writing to be clearly discerned. Conductor Marcin Nalecz-Nieslotowski does a fine job coaxing the sensuous, somewhat expressionist sounds from the Symphony Orchestra of the Polish Opera. The recording also features wonderful playing in the Variations on a Theme of Frescobaldi for strings and the Four Polish Dances. A most worthwhile disk although it is just under an hour in playing time. You may wish to consider the superb version conducted by Israel Yinon (why hasn't this gifted conductor been seen in the USA?) which also contains the charming and amusing ballet score Bric-A-Brac; although it is OOP, it is regularly available from the Amazon Marketplace. The Chandos is the first of a series covering the complete symphonies of Tansman. While conductor Caetani has no special affinity with Tansman, he does a fine job, and this series is extremely important in getting the word out on Tansman. I have no doubt that in time, he will be recognized as the greatest Polish composer after Szymanowski and before Lutoslawski."