Neeme J¿¿rvi in Concert: Mozart, Wagner, Brahms, Reger

by Neeme Jaervi, State Choir Latvija, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra

Overview

Conductor Neeme Jaervi's performances in his native Estonia tend to have a relaxed, confident quality, and this group of live recordings is no exception. The marketing for this Chandos release refers to an 85th-birthday concert given by Jaervi in Tallinn in 2022 and even includes a photo of that event, but actually, the material on the album was recorded at a pair of 2019 concerts with the Estonian National Symphony, several months apart. It is not clear why customers don't merit the real thing, but the fact is that these are strong performances, nicely recorded, with music that fits Jaervi well. Wagner's rather bombastic early overture Polonia is not often recorded, but it benefits from Jaervi's restrained melodicism. The real find here is the four-movement Serenade, Op. 95, of Max Reger, which falls squarely in the conductor's late Romantic comfort zone. This light, lithe work is worlds away from Reger's usual heavy counterpoint, and this sparkling performance just might carve out a space for it in the repertory. Jaervi also shows himself a fine manager of the State Choir Latvija in the Brahms Schicksalslied, Op. 54, and especially in Mozart's Ave Verum Corpus, K. 618, which receives a gorgeously warm performance. While this may not be the promised "commemoration" of Jaervi's 2022 concert, it is an attractive release devoted to music that seems close to the conductor's heart. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	01/20/2023
Label:	Chandos
UPC:	0095115226223
Rank:	217887

Tracks

1. Polonia, WWV 39 in C major
2. Serenade, Op. 95 in G major for Orchestra~Allegro moderato
3. Serenade, Op. 95 in G major for Orchestra~Vivace e Burlesca - Meno mosso
4. Serenade, Op. 95 in G major for Orchestra~Andante semplice (Sostenuto) (nie schleppend) - Pi¿¿ lento assai
5. Serenade, Op. 95 in G major for Orchestra~Allegro con spirito (non troppo vivace) - Andantino - Quasi Adagio
6. Schicksalslied, Op. 54 in E flat major for Chorus and Orchestra~Langsam und sehnsuchtsvoll (Ihr wandelt droben im Licht) -
7. Schicksalslied, Op. 54 in E flat major for Chorus and Orchestra~Allegro (Doch uns ist gegeben) -
8. Schicksalslied, Op. 54 in E flat major for Chorus and Orchestra~Adagio
9. Ave verum corpus, KV 618 in D major for Four-part Chorus, Strings, and Basso continuo

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Neeme Jaervi   Primary Artist,Conductor
State Choir Latvija   Primary Artist,Choir/Chorus
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra   Primary Artist,Orchestra

Technical Credits

Max Reger   Composer
Gery Bramall   Text Translation
Stephanie Wollny   Liner Note Translation
Nigel Simeone   Liner Notes
Finn S. Gundersen   Booklet Editor
Arvo Leibur   Leader
Ralph Couzens   Executive Producer
Friedrich Holderlin   Text
Richard Wagner   Composer
Johannes Brahms   Composer
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart   Composer
Raigo Pajula   Cover Photo
Gebrueder Luetzel   Photography
Alexander James   Mastering
Kroot Tarkmeel   Photography
Kaspar Karner   Recording Producer,Engineer,Editing
Cass Cassidy   Typesetting,Design
Sue Shortridge   A&R
Marie-Francoise de Meeus   Liner Note Translation