Arthur Berger: The Complete Orchestral Music
介质: Audio CD
发行时间: 2003-10-28
唱片数: 1
出版者: New World Records
条形码: 0093228060529
专辑简介
There may come a day when Arthur Berger (b. 1912), with his twin talents as composer and critic, will be regarded as his generation's Robert Schumann, who likewise excelled at both. Their impact on the music and thought of their respective eras is similar. Both composed works of great beauty, while maintaining a keen ear for the musical achievements of othersSchumann instrumental in Brahms' success, Berger championing the work of Ives, Copland and many others.
Berger freely acknowledges beginning his mature career as a neo-classicisttaking the lead from Copland and mid-century Stravinskythen shifting his methods to twelve-tone processes in the mid-fifties, influenced by Schoenberg and Webern. But ferreting out supposed mentors proves nothing more than intellectual name-dropping with a composer like Berger, whose own voice is so distinctive. Berger's synthesis of neo-classical and dodecaphonic approaches marks him as the foremost arbitrator between the two camps. Berger's compositional output is small. These five short works, none longer than fifteen minutesIdeas of Order (1952) Perspectives II (1985) Serenade Concertante (1944, rev. 1951), Prelude, Aria and Waltz (1982), and Polyphony (1956)comprise his entire orchestral effort, and several of these pieces are themselves re-workings of previous settings. These compositions span five decades, yet Berger's language has an unmistakable underlying consistency. Two identifiable ingredients characterize these symphonic works: beautiful surface textures juxtaposed with adventurous rhythmic and harmonic experimentation. The former make each work compelling from the first listen; the latter reward careful study and reveal the depth of Berger's craft.
Of related interest:
80308 Arthur BergerFive Pieces for Piano, Septet
80360 Arthur BergerDuo for Cello and Piano, Quartet for Winds, Trio for Guitar, Violin, and Piano, and other works
80536 Arthur BergerComposition for Piano Four-Hands, Perspectives III, Suite for Piano Four-Hands
曲目
Polyphony (1956)