(kanász-nótz/'Swineherd's Song') Allegro - Più allegro (alla breve) - Ancora più allegro (presto) -
4:28
Divertimento No.3, Op.25 (1949) *
in A mjaor • in A-Dur • en la majeur
(Impressioni ungheresi)
(Hungarian Impressions)
for Orchestra
Al Signore László Somogyi
14.
1
(duda-nóta/'Bagpipe Song') Allegretto (poco andantino) - Allegro giocoso - Tempo I, meno mosso, allegretto
3:43
15.
2
(kesergö/'Tearful') Moderato (quasi andante)
1:30
16.
3
(juhász-tréfa/'Shepherd's Joke') Allegretto ben moderato - Poco pesante - Tranquillo - A tempo (allegretto) - Allegro
2:07
17.
4
(ballada) Andante (poco mosso) - (Poco più largo) - Tempo I
3:09
18.
5
(maskara-nóta/'Masquerade Song') Allegro
2:49
Divertimento No.4, Op.38 (1951) *
in G major • in G-Dur • en sol majeur
for Orchestra
19.
I
Régi Csárdás (Old Csárdás). Módosan (Moderato)
1:16
20.
II
Marosszéki Forgatós (Turn-dance from Marosszék). Allegretto vivo (quasi allegro)
1:31
21.
III
Búsuló Juhász (The Sorrowful Shepherd). Andante
1:46
22.
IV
Gábor Ignác Nótája (The Song of Ignác Gábor). Risoluto (ízesen, feszes csárdás-tempóban) - [ ] - Risoluto
2:33
23.
V
Változatok (Variations). Vivace -
2:23
Tema - Variazione 1 - Variazione 2 - Variazione 3. Poco meno vivace ma con moto - Variazione 4. Vivace
Divertimento No.5, Op.39 (1951) *
(Impressioni ungheresi)
(Hungarian Impressions)
for Orchestra
24.
1
Peregi verbunk (Verbunk from Pereg). Tempo di csárdás - Cadenza - Poco meno mosso (quasi andante)
7:00
25.
2
Tréfálkozás (Joking). Allegreto ben moderato
0:43
26.
3
Betrárdal (Tramp's Song). Allegro - Meno mosso - Allegro - Meno mosso
1:39
27.
4
Szerelmes nóta (Love Song). Mosso moderato
1:04
28.
5
Nógrádi dudás (Bagpiper from Nógrád). Allegretto vivo - Vivace (quasi presto) - Allegretto - Tempo I - Vivace
4:02
TT:: 83:05
Orchestra: Estonian National Symphony Orchestra
Triin Ruubel * • Arvo Leibur † - leaders
Conductor:Neeme Järvi
(taken from live performances); 9 and 10 November 2015 (Serenade, Divertimentos Nos 3 and 4),
24 March 2016 (Divertimento No.5), and 27-29 June 2016 (Divertimentos Nos 1 and 2)
Notes
Within his extended discography, Neeme Järvi has explored the work of some magnificent Eastern European composers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, recently including Suchoň and Scharwenka.
He here reveals the delightful, witty Hungarian style of Leó Weiner, who found inspiration in the music of Bartók, his near contemporary, and taught such great figures of the Hungarian musical scene as Solti and Doráti, but also Kurtág.
While ‘Hungarian style’ had been defined by Brahms and Liszt, Weiner gave it a personal slant with his clarity of scoring, featuring characterful solos for woodwinds and trumpet that have led commentators to register the influence of Bizet.
Throughout these recordings of the five Divertimentos and the Serenade, some of the works new to the catalogue, the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra and their chief conductor encapsulate the freshness and fluidity of engaging, yet too rarely performed compositions.
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Reviews
“… This is music of real beauty, and it’s the sort of thing at which Neeme Järvi seems to excel. Anyone with a taste for the musical paprikash served up by Léo Weiner in these works is sure to enjoy many memorable meals from this release. Strongly recommended.” Jerry Dubins
“…. He [Weiner] mixes wit and sentiment with a creative use of contrapuntal devices, and memorable thematic interest. He creates light, memorable classical music without dumbing down the result. Neeme Järvi is on his best behavior here, phrasing with great care. The Estonian NSO in turn provides excellent blend between the sections, and a velvety warmth to the strings in such movements as the Second Divertimento’s andante sostenuto that could rival any other orchestra …The sound is crisp and transparent, conveying all the color Weiner provides and Järvi puts on display. Recommended.” Barry Brenesal
Fanfare - March/April 2018
“… Performances are excellent, with deep, rich string tone. Whenever I see eight basses in an orchestra’s photo, I already feel better. Jarvi directs this pleasurable music with a light hand and no end of wit. Chandos’s sound backs him through every bar.”
Don O’Connor – American Record Guide – March/April 2018
“A revelation and great fun!.. Imagine a cross between Dvorak, Smetana, Holst and Vaughan Williams and you might get close to this delightful CD of an early 20th Century composer who deserves to be resurrected. You can start here!
Edmund Whitehouse – The Light Music Society magazine – Spring 2018
“...they are all highly listenable pieces, each is very pleasant ... Neeme Järvi has a long history of producing impressive recordings for Chandos, and the technical quality here is never in question. The orchestra (of which he is Artistic Director), plays beautifully, with fetching solos when required, and the recording is set in a natural acoustic with plenty of bloom to the sound. The booklet is up to the house standard, giving a quite detailed description of each work."
Jim Westhead – MusicWeb-International.com
**** Excellent Album **** Exceptional Sound
Stephane Friederich - Classica magazine (France) - December 2017-January 2018
“... well worth seeking out for an entertaining listen.”
Mark Pullinger - Gramophone magazine - November 2017
A near contemporary of Bartók, Weiner’s charming Serenade for small orchestra and lively five divertimentos, which date from 1933 to 1951, are given winning performances here.” ****
Rebecca Franks - BBC Music magazine (Brief Notes section) - December 2017
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