Bart¿¿k: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta; Divertimento for String Orchestra; Dance Suite

by Paavo Jaervi, NHK Symphony Orchestra

Overview

The NHK Symphony Orchestra tends to favor German music, and conductor Paavo Jaervi perhaps pushes the group a little beyond its comfort zone in these 2017 live recordings from Tokyo's Suntory Hall. The group has a burnished string sound that is second to none, but for the obstreperous side of Bartok, that isn't necessarily what's required. The folk dance rhythms of the Dance Suite and the tense atmosphere of the Divertimento for string orchestra, the last thing Bartok wrote before fleeing Hungary, are dutifully but not brilliantly executed, and the joyous quality of the Dance Suite, one of Bartok's few truly upbeat creations. The best is saved for last; the long, sinuous string lines of the outer movements in the Music for strings, percussion, and celesta showcase the orchestra in its sweet spot, and the celesta has just the right hint of mystery. Jaervi keeps things moving here despite unusually slow tempos, and the entire performance has an absorbing, satisfying quality. RCA's engineers favor the strings a bit, but the live recording is clean. This recording of the Music for strings, percussion, and celesta, Bartok's late masterwork, can stand with the classics on the market. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	06/14/2019
Label:	Rca Red Seal
UPC:	4547366404999
Rank:	13535

Tracks

1. Divertimento for String Orchestra, BB 118 / Sz 113~I. Allegro non troppo
2. Divertimento for String Orchestra, BB 118 / Sz 113~II. Molto adagio
3. Divertimento for String Orchestra, BB 118 / Sz 113~III. Allegro assai
4. Dance Suite, BB 86 / Sz 77~I. Moderato - Ritornell
5. Dance Suite, BB 86 / Sz 77~II. Allegro molto - Ritornell
6. Dance Suite, BB 86 / Sz 77~III. Allegro vivace
7. Dance Suite, BB 86 / Sz 77~IV. Molto tranquillo - Ritornell
8. Dance Suite, BB 86 / Sz 77~V. Comodo
9. Dance Suite, BB 86 / Sz 77~VI. Finale: Allegro
10. Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, BB 114 / Sz 106~I. Andante tranquillo
11. Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, BB 114 / Sz 106~II. Allegro
12. Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, BB 114 / Sz 106~III. Adagio
13. Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta, BB 114 / Sz 106~IV. Allegro molto

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Paavo Jaervi   Primary Artist,Conductor
NHK Symphony Orchestra   Primary Artist,Orchestra

Technical Credits

Paavo Jaervi   Liner Notes
Tomoka Sugieda   Art Direction,Design
Masashi Minakawa   Assistant Engineer
Ryusuke Kozawa   A&R
Kaupo Kikkas   Cover Photo
Wolfgang Stahr   Liner Notes
Felix Schoen   Liner Note Translation
Stewart Spencer   Liner Note Translation
Tomoyoshi Ezaki   Recording Director,Balance Engineer
Jean-Claude Poyet   Liner Note Translation
Bela Bartok   Composer
Josee Begaud   Liner Note Translation