Search - William Bolcom, Dennis Russell Davies, Sergiu Luca :: William Bolcom - Violin Concerto (Serfiu Luca, violin); Fantasia Concertante; Fifth Symphony - American Composers Orchestra, Dennis Russell Davies (conductor)

Three wonderful Bolcom Masterpieces!!

Darin Tysdal | Bloomington, MN 55420 | 05/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As I bought this recording many years ago after listening to this CD from the public library, I thought, "in a few years, these Argo recordings are going to be out of print", and I was right. I really cherish these CDs that I still have, and kick myself for the ones that I sold. This is my favorite. Bolcom's violin concerto (in D, by the way) is a wonderful work. Bolcom balances atonality and tonality with Jazz and a good sense of entertainment. In other words, this concerto ranks with the masterpieces of Bartok, Berg, Stravinsky, et al. The Fantasia Concertante puts the music of Mozart in a small blender; again, lots of tonality and atonality, but with a playful heart and a respect for the music of Mozart. This includes a viola and violin solo part which is very charming. Sterner stuff comes with the Fifth Symphony. Now Bolcom deals with pain, heartache, stress, strife,and hip-hop music. The first movement is anguished, the second a demonic scherzo, with "Abide with Me" and "Here Comes the Bride" in counterpoing, the third a transcription of one of Bolcom's 12 New Etudes for piano, and the motoric finale, "Machine", which takes on the Rap and Hip-Hop Culture ending energetically but not happily. Sergiu Luca plays his violin with expertise, and Davies keeps his wonderful American Composers Orchestra on top form throughout. Get a copy of this disc! Even if you don't like 20th century music!"

Almost forgotten - but why?

Dr. Juergen Frank | St. Ingbert - Germany | 03/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many years ago i was able to listen to the violon concerto of William Bolcom at the 20th century music festival in Saarbrücken in Germany - performed by the Radio Symphony Orchestra of the Saarländischer Rundfunk conducted by Dennis Russell Davies and with Sergiu Luca as soloist. It was a wonderful concerto and i always wanted to have a recording of it. But only a few days ago i found this CD with the same soloist and conductor but another wonderful orchestra. This great piece of music seems to be forgotten in Germany - but why? I don't know. It can easily stand up with other American concertos by Barber or Piston or whoever. I would love to hear this music more often."