Search - Samuel Barber, George Frederick Bristow, Neeme Järvi :: Samuel Barber: Symphony No. 2; Adagio for Strings; George Frederick Bristow: Symphony in F sharp minor

Bristow worth hearing

Eric Stott | Albany, NY USA | 12/11/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this CD for the Bristow symphony and found it well performed. The piece is a fine example of mid 19th century concert music- Bristow employs a large orchestra and creates some fine and sonorous colorings.(Notable is a prominent Harp part.) The slow movement is especialy moving and lyrical, and should be heard more often."

Worthy Barber and Bristow

Daniel G. Berk | West Bloomfield, Michigan | 05/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While the second symphony of Samuel Barber is certainly a fitting addition to one's musical library, it is the symphony of George Frederick Bristow, which is the real selling point of this CD. The symphony is beautiful, lyrical, and expansive; it owes an obvious debt to Mendelssohn.Bristow was a talented string player, and he was a member of the violin section of the New York Philharmonic as of its inception. Her fervent championing of American composers put him on the outs with the orchestra's leadership, and he took leave of the Philharmonic for a year in protest. Ironically, his works are now among those works by American composers, which are sadly and undeservedly neglected. But at least for those who acquire this CD, that neglect can be partially remedied."