Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra

by Karina Canellakis, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra

Overview

Conductor Karina Canellakis was surrounded by a good deal of buzz when this live recording, her debut on the PentaTone label, was made in the summer of 2022, and the album is only going to increase the volume; it landed on classical best-seller charts in the spring of 2023. Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra was the ubiquitous modern music concert closer until fairly recently; now, the repertory is broader, but there are still plenty of alternatives for listeners wanting to hear this classic crowd-pleaser. Canellakis contributes something new to the dialogue, holding the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra together through a fast, urgent performance. Sample the second movement of the Concerto for Orchestra, which will be a good deal faster than what listeners may be used to. There is evidence that this is how Bartok wanted it, however, and Canellakis proceeds confidently. The high speeds continue in the fourth movement, where the big melody has perhaps a bit too much tension, and through an exciting, high-intensity finale. It is a fresh, bold approach to the work that is well worth hearing and bodes well for Canellakis' time with this orchestra. The curtain-raiser is the set of Four Orchestral Pieces from the early period of Bartok's Bluebeard's Castle, a bit less distinctive but again showing excellent handling of Canellakis' new orchestra. PentaTone's live sound is clean and showcases the fine instrumental work on display here throughout. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	04/28/2023
Label:	Pentatone Classics
UPC:	8717306260275
Rank:	61288

Tracks

1. 4 Orchestral Pieces, SZ 51 (Op. 12)~Preludio. Moderato
2. 4 Orchestral Pieces, SZ 51 (Op. 12)~Scherzo. Allegro
3. 4 Orchestral Pieces, SZ 51 (Op. 12)~Intermezzo. Moderato
4. 4 Orchestral Pieces, SZ 51 (Op. 12)~Marcia funebre. Maestoso
5. Concerto for Orchestra, SZ 116~Introduzione. Andante non troppo - Allegro vivace - Tempo I
6. Concerto for Orchestra, SZ 116~Presentando le coppie. Allegretto scherzando
7. Concerto for Orchestra, SZ 116~Elegia. Andante, non troppo
8. Concerto for Orchestra, SZ 116~Intermezzo interrotto. Allegretto
9. Concerto for Orchestra, SZ 116~Finale. Pesante - Presto

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Karina Canellakis   Primary Artist,Conductor
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra   Primary Artist,Orchestra

Technical Credits

Renaud Loranger   A&R,Executive Producer
Mathias Bothor   Cover Photo
Sean Hickey   Managing Director
Francesca Mariani   Product Manager,Cover Design,Design
Reinis Bagats   Assistant Engineer
Wirre de Vries   Assistant Engineer
Marjolein Coenrady   Cover Design
Bela Bartok   Composer
Karina Canellakis   Liner Notes
Everett Porter   Balance Engineer,Producer,Editing,Mixing
Marco Borggreve   Photography
Kasper van Kooten   Product Manager,Design
Silvia Pietrosanti   Marketing