Search - Victor De Sabata, Aldo Ceccato, London Philharmonic Orchestra :: Victor de Sabata: La notte di Plàton; Gethsemani Juventus

Don Juan, move over!

Jeff Dunn | Alameda, California United States | 07/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The 20th century was such a murderous embarrassment to the human race, it's no wonder so many angry, angsty, or nasty--but great--pieces of music were written during the period.De Sabata's "Juventus" is one of the far fewer great 20th-century works for the positive side of the human coin. Here we have a surging, yearning, flamboyant, let-it-all-hang-out saga of youthful ambition, brilliantly conceived and orchestrated by a conductor who chose the more financially reliable path of performance over that of posthumous fame for composition.There were many great orchestrators in the 20th century, but fewer who wrote great melodies as well. "Juventus" has such a melody, its second theme or "love" theme. Some may not catch it the first time around, but once you DO catch it, your heart will fly every time you hear it.The piece is similar in spirit to Strauss's "Don Juan" or the drama of a Korngold film score. It is for listeners who like to soar like Tchaikovsky, but eventually find the Russian master too repetitive.The other works are very fine as well, but less distinctive, less overtly passionate.Buy the CD, and be young again! Or continue to listen to Britten's War Requiem. The choice is yours."