Search - Enescu, Andreescu, Romanian Radio Orchestra :: Enescu: Complete Orchestral Works Vol. 3

Two remarkable & very different works

chefdevergue | Spokane, WA United States | 10/13/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Once again, the Olympia series successfully couples a youthful Enescu composition with one of his more mature works. The Romanian Poem, composed when he was 15, and the first work to which he affixed an opus number, is featured on this CD with his 3rd Symphony, composed in 1918.Both are remarkable works, but for different reasons entirely. The Romanian Poem, just a few minutes shy of half an hour, is an impressive achievement for a composer of that age. Overflowing with nationalism & folk melodies, this piece reaches lyrical peaks at points which are just amazing, and would be for a composer at any age. The first half of the piece is idyllic and tranquil, while the second half features boisterous folk music that will appear again in the famous Romanian Rhapsodies. The piece is marred somewhat in the last couple of minutes by a somewhat banal finale, but the composer can be forgiven for this youthful indiscretion.The 3rd Symphony is light years away from the Romanian Poem, and is in fact significantly different from the first two symphonies. Of particular distinction is the 2nd movement Scherzo, which is one of the most disturbing movements of all of Enescu's symphonies. It is thoroughly sinister throughout, and flirts with dissonace more than is usually seen with Enescu. Just as things seem to be as troubling as they can be, an ethereal 3rd movement takes over, sounding at times very much like the work of a Balkan Ravel.The 3rd symphony is a complex work which requires a very large orchestra. The chances are that your local orchestra will not be playing any time soon, so the only way you can enjoy it is on your stereo. This CD offers as good a performance of the 3rd symphony as you will be likely to find."