Spectacular, evocative music to thrilll
Brendan Townsend | Laredo, TX USA | 02/23/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I became aware of this music through my professional interaction with music publishers. I heard just a snippet of Seven Passages and knew that I wanted to hear more. The whole of Seven Passages thrilled me completely. It is full of vibrant colors, bright melody, energy and brilliant orchestration. Going beyond this first exposure to the work I got this recording of the complete trilogy and have enjoyed listening to it many times.
The recording by Joann Falletta and he London Symphony Orchestra is superb. The clarity of the recording brings to life the many subtle shades and sounds that are hidden throughout the score. The daring and imaginative orchestrations throughout and the internal character of each section of these wonderful stories are brought to life, are captured by the meticulous attention to the details of the score.
Each of the three works that make up this trilogy, while all finding inspiration in the great Persian epic poem "Shahnameh" are somewhat different in their character - perhaps representing the evolution of the composer over the 11 years that he was writing them. Seemorgh was the first to be written in 1989, followed by "The Blood of Seyavash" as a ballet in 1994, and Seven Passages in 1999 / 2000.
Seemorgh - in three movements - captures the beauty of the poem in very descriptive fashion. The orchestration reminds me of a cross between Rimsky-Korsakov and Ferde Grofe particularly in the Moonlight movement.
The Blood of Seyavash is a quite complex and more intellectual work. The program notes outline clearly how the composer used a style of thematic transformation to show how the story unfolds. The drama of the story can be heard throughout, and all I can say is that I wish I could see the ballet sometime!
Seven Passages is still my favorite, but I think that is because it was my first exposure to this music. The vibrancy and the energy and the brilliant orchestration are summation of everything that came before in the evolution of the composer and this trilogy.
I conducted Seven Passages with the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra recently and the audience reaction was exactly what mine had been on first hearing this music - sheer joy and enthusiasm!
If you enjoy exciting and evocative music that tells a story, you will love this recording of the Persian Trilogy.
Brendan Townsend
Music Director, Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra"
A must have
T. Shade | Reading, PA USA | 01/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Outstanding work. Very Sheharazade-like. Great performance. I first heard this piece played live with the composer in attendance. It is a wonderful experience."
Persian Trilogy is Vibrant and Exhilarating
William Lozier | Langhorne, PA, USA | 03/29/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"All eleven movements in the Trilogy are full of livey passages. It's exciting to listen to and share. A true master work of a new age in "classical" music. I hight recommend it."
Track Listings (1) - Disc #1