Search - Ryu, Kim, Podlasie Opera Philharmonic Orchestra :: Ryu: Sinfonia da Requiem; Violin Concerto No. 1

Finally available in the States too!

Wyote | Seoul | 07/31/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This has already been available for several weeks in Korea, so I've been able to listen to it several times. Ryu is evidently a nearly unknown composer - he doesn't even have an article on wikipedia! - but this recording should inspire people to want to hear more of his music.



The "Sinfonia da Requiem" and the violin concerto are both beautiful and moving works. They have a few modernist elements, but they are very well used - they are not "in your face" compositions. The performances are flawless (though I'd love to hear more recordings of this music for comparison!), and the recording has been done



In terms of very recent requiems, my main point of comparison has to be Valentin Silvestrov: Requiem for Larissa, which is considerably more famous and likely to remain so. One could contrast them in a number of ways, but I'd prefer to emphasize the similarities. Both represent recent composers finding ways to express their emotion, connecting with the audience, while also presenting technical challenges to themselves and the musicians. Ryu's music _may_ be a little more challenging for the audience (as well as the performers), but only a little if at all, and I want to emphasize that it is emotionally moving and satisfying.



I'd like to hear the violin concerto a few more times before I say much about it. I can, however, assure you that it is an interesting and exciting piece of music. I may come to believe it's better than the requiem, but for now I only say it's worth hearing.



This disk is one more reason to be thankful for Naxos. They don't do everything perfectly, but they do make a lot of modern music available at unbeatable prices.

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