Search - Aulis Sallinen, Toru Takemitsu, Krzysztof Penderecki :: 20th Century Music for Flute and Orchestra

Flute concertos by Sallinen, Takemitsu and Penderecki

Crt Sojar Voglar | Ljubljana, Slovenia | 07/31/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When I listened to this compilation where three concertante works for flute and orchestra, two pieces brought my attention: The "Harlekiini" concerto by Sallinen and "Towards the sea II" by Takemitsu.

The Sallinen's concerto is pretty typical for late Sallinen, who loves to write simple and recognisable music, without denying his favourites - string clusters, forced simplicity (third movement) and mystery. The concerto is nice to listen. I think the flutists will love to play it.

The Takemitsu's work is intimate and introvert piece. The composer favoures short phrases and impressionistic glowing of sound. The dark colour of the alto flute is perfect for this composition. I am starting to believe the alto flute is really an 'ocean instrument' (When I wrote the composition 'Ocean', one of the five movements of the piece Sparkles for two flutes, cello and harp, I also used the alto flute).

Penderecki has abandoned the avant-garde style. That's OK. But he just does not have the ability or strength to write good music. The flute concerto (there are also versions for clarinet and chamber orchestra or for clarinet and string trio) is simply a legion of tones, which do not have much energy, real craftmanship and high degree of imagination. Just the name "Penderecki" is not enough guarantee for quality. Penderecki was a good composer. Later works do not prove that."

The beauty of today's composers

Michel Heller | Lausanne Switzerland | 03/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Okko Kamu is a marvellous conductor. In this record he presents three major works of the end of the twentieth century with such taste and feeling that for once recent music is as marvellous and satisfying than Vivaldi, Bach or Schubert. The Soloist is excellent, and so is the recording. This is a wonderful way to become acquainted with Penderecki, Tekemitsu and Sallinen."