Weinberg: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 7; Flute Concerto No. 1

by Grazinyte-Tyla, Kirill Gerstein, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, Marie-Christine Zupancic

Overview

Following her 2019 debut on the Deutsche Grammophon label, conductor Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla continues her cause to champion the music of composer Mieczyslaw Weinberg. The works presented here have all been recorded previously -- rarely in each case -- and these readings will certainly help to expand the knowledge of Weinberg's music. While much is made about Weinberg's association with Shostakovich, often detrimental to Weinberg's abilities as a composer, his music is not derivative of Shostakovich, though they often share characteristics and an expressive nature in their writing. Written shortly after the end of World War II, the Symphony No. 3 in B minor, Op. 45 displays the composer's range of emotional writing. Devastation was brought upon Weinberg's family by the Nazis, and listeners are taken on a journey of highs and lows, with sounds of despair and triumph and hope. The Flute Concerto No. 1, Op. 75, from 1961, is a wonderful work of mid-20th century writing and gets a good showing here from Marie-Christine Zupancic. This is a fairly advanced piece harmonically that should see an increase in popularity as Weinberg's music gains more traction; challenges throughout for the orchestra and soloist should make this attractive to university students. Grazinyte-Tyla leads her City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in the Flute Concerto No. 1 and the Symphony No. 3, and the orchestra and its music director appear to be establishing a solid rapport. She leads the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen in the Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 81, written for harpsichord and string orchestra, with Kirill Gerstein on harpsichord. At times, it has the feel of a 20th century harpsichord concerto, but it is more often a creative timbre added to modern harmonic treatments. Grazinyte-Tyla is fairly deliberate with her tempos, which gives the listener a good chance to appreciate the depths of this music. It represents another welcome addition to the growing awareness of this composer. ~ Keith Finke

Product Details

Release Date:	10/28/2022
Label:	Deutsche Grammophon
UPC:	0028948624027
Rank:	134326

Tracks

1. Symphony No. 7, Op. 81 for String Orchestra and Harpsichord~1. Adagio sostenuto - attacca
2. Symphony No. 7, Op. 81 for String Orchestra and Harpsichord~2. Allegro - attacca
3. Symphony No. 7, Op. 81 for String Orchestra and Harpsichord~3. Andante - attacca
4. Symphony No. 7, Op. 81 for String Orchestra and Harpsichord~4. Adagio sostenuto - attacca
5. Symphony No. 7, Op. 81 for String Orchestra and Harpsichord~5. Allegro
6. Concerto for Flute and Orchestra No. 1 Op. 75~Allegro molto
7. Concerto for Flute and Orchestra No. 1 Op. 75~Largo - attacca
8. Concerto for Flute and Orchestra No. 1 Op. 75~Allegro comodo
9. Symphony No. 3 Op. 45 for Large Orchestra~1. Allegro
10. Symphony No. 3 Op. 45 for Large Orchestra~2. Allegro giocoso
11. Symphony No. 3 Op. 45 for Large Orchestra~3. Adagio
12. Symphony No. 3 Op. 45 for Large Orchestra~4. Allegro vivace

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla   Primary Artist,Conductor
Kirill Gerstein   Primary Artist,Harpsichord
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra   Primary Artist,Orchestra
Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen   Primary Artist,Orchestra
Marie-Christine Zupancic   Primary Artist,Flute

Technical Credits

Vilius Keras   Editing,Producer,Mastering Engineer,Recording Producer,Mixing
Florian Karg   Design
Jamie Hickey   Engineer,Recording
Malene Hill   A&R
Philipp Zinniker   Photography
Andy Guthrie   Mixing,Editing,Producer,Mastering Engineer,Recording Producer
Ian Barfoot   Engineer,Recording
Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis   Cover Painting
Tim Wood   Assistant Engineer
Marcus Herzog   Engineer,Recording
Matthias Koch   Product Manager
Mieczyslaw Weinberg   Composer
Sid McLauchlan   Producer,Recording Producer
Aleksandra Keriene   Mastering Engineer
Verena Mogl   Liner Notes
Dorothea Schlegel   Executive Producer
Jack Lovell-Huckle   Producer,Assistant Producer
Mike Taylor   Assistant Engineer
Evelina Bajoriniene   Editing
Misha Aster   Executive Producer
Jochen Rudelt   Booklet Editor
Jay L. Clendenin   Photography