Used Bin Troll Tweets E.

Ethelbert Nevin

[January 2014.]

André JOLIVET: Symphony No. 3 (1964)¹; Piano Concerto (1949-50)²; Cello Concerto No. 1 (1962)³. Lucette Descaves² (pno), André Navarra³ (vlc), Orchestre National de France^1,3, André Jolivet^1,3 (cond.), Orchestre Radio-Symphonique de Strasbourg², Ernest Bour² (cond.). Solstice SOCD 81 (1 CD) (http://www.solstice-music.com/).

1960s performances capture Jolivet’s vigorous “primitif-chic.” Why has the Varèsian-Mexican Third fallen away? Absent a revival, a big YES.

“Music for Pianos.” François-Bernard MÂCHE: Styx (1984)¹; Areg (1977)²; Mesarthim (1987)³; Léthé (1985)⁴; Nocturne (1981)⁵. Maurice OHANA: Sorôn-Ngô (1969)⁶. Martine Vialatte^1,2,3,4,5,6, Clotilde Ovigne^1,4, Hélène Bellanger^2,4, Christine Chareyron¹, Leonor Lopez Cossani^1,3,4,6 (pno). Naxos 8.557988 (1 CD) (http://www.naxos.com/).

How did I miss these grand, spectral, sometimes minimal, multi-hand, two-piano works from Mâche? Ohana offers a mid-century travelogue. YES.

Raymond SCOTT: Soothing Sounds for Baby: Volume 1, 0 to 6 months (1963). BASTA 30-9064-2 (1 CD) (http://www.bastamusic.com/).

The first of three enduring volumes of sparkling, hypnotic, ambient electronic magic. Slightly perverse, altho completely unique. YES, baby.

Magnus LINDBERG: EXPO (2009); Piano Concerto No. 2 (2011-12)*; Al largo (2009-10). Yefim Bronfman* (pno), New York Philharmonic, Alan Gilbert (cond.). Dacapo 8.226067 (1 CD) (http://www.dacapo-records.dk/en/).

Despite powerful brass blasts, these alternately smooth then rusticated pieces do not captivate. Bronfman finds thunder in the Concerto. NO.

George ONSLOW: String Quartet No. 28, Op. 54 (1834); String Quartet No. 29, Op. 55 (1834); String Quartet No. 30, Op. 56 (1834). Quatuor Diotima: Yun-Peng Zhao, Naaman Sluchin (vln), Franck Chevalier (vla), Pierre Morlet (vlc). Naïve V 5200 (1 CD) (http://www.naive.fr/).

A foursome named for Nono’s quartet explores a forgotten French master. Onslow had been knocked down then inspired by LvB’s late work. YES.

“Extendo.” Ludovico EINAUDI: Due Tramonti (1999)¹. Gaetano GIANI-LUPORINI: Ludo (1998)². Dimitri NICOLAU: Strassenmusik No. 12, Op. 157 (1998)³. Carlo BOCCADORO: Foglio d’Autunno (1999)⁴. Giancarlo CARDINI: Lamento per il Mio Fiore Perduto (1998)⁵. Mauro CASTELLANO: Intermezzi (1994)⁶. Alessandro SOLBIATI: Am Fuß Des Gebirgs II (1999)⁷. Sylvano BUSSOTTI: Solo from La Passion Selon Sade (1966)⁸. Paolo Carlini^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8} (bsn), Donato De Sena^2,4 (trpt), Francesco Dilaghi² (hpsi), Mario Marzi^3,7 (sax), Raffaello Majoni⁴ (cbs), Ludovico Einaudi¹, Folco Vichi⁴, Giancarlo Cardini⁵, Mauro Castellano^6,7,8 (pno). Materiali Sonori MASO CD 90118 (1 CD) (http://www.matson.it/).

Even with help from other instruments and some of the composers, this potentially exciting program promises much but fails to lift off. NO.