Berlin-born Lukas Foss studied music in Paris before settling in Philadelphia in 1937. Though he freely explored diverse compositional styles, three of the works in this recording fall into his early neo-Classical period and exemplify his dictum that “to have a big foot in the future, you’ve got to have a big foot in the past.” Symphony No. 1 in G major is lyrical, bucolic and subtly jazz-influenced, while the Three American Pieces show Aaron Copland’s “open air” influence. Foss’s Ode expresses his feelings about the loss of American lives during the Second World War, and Renaissance Concerto is a “handshake across the centuries” ingeniously spiced with unexpected harmonic twists.
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Reviews
“… Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra are pitch-perfect throughout. First-rate sound, too.”
Guy Rickards – Gramophone magazine – August 2024
“…For the music and the performances this is a richly rewarding and valuable disc… I hope that Naxos will want to explore more of Foss’ output as he proves to be a stimulating and individual musical voice.”
Nick Barnard – Musicwebinternational.com – 23 July 2024
“…The four-movement Symphony No.1, in G-major (1944), is quite a find, including an emotionally intense Adagio, ebullient Scherzo, and a racy, optimistic Finale. These performances cannot be faulted, and the recorded sound is excellent. “
Colin Anderson – Colinscolumn.com – 18 June 2024
“…Foss was 22 when he wrote the Symphony, which shows many influences, such as Aaron Copland, but also offers his own individual voice. The lively and energetic work offers soloistic development opportunities for the winds in particular, but also engages the whole orchestra. JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra approach this youthful and fresh work with verve and charm. In doing so, they illustrate the confidence and pride that the young Foss must have felt when composing it.” ****
Uwe Krusch – Pizzicato.lu – 25 May 2024
Performance **** Recording ****
“… Crisply recorded, the Buffalo Philharmonic … plays with the passion and precision expected of any ensemble fortunate to be conducted by JoAnn Falletta …”
Geoff Brown – BBC Music magazine – July 2024
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