Hymn to Aphrodite |
Friedrich Lips, Bayan |
As always, the famed Friedrich Lips brings his artistic sense of what is important to the future of the bayan repertoire to bear in these particular compositions. The first piece, “Hymn to Aphrodite” for bayan and chamber orchestra (2013) by Konstantin Yaskov, Belarusian composer, (b. 1981) is perhaps not easy to appreciate upon first hearing. Upon reflection and subsequent playing, however, one will begin to recognize how this composition is another addition to the serious ranks of orchestral pieces using the bayan as a contributor to the inherit sound and feel of the music.
Whether soft, almost unheard in fact, or very loud, one becomes ever more aware of the significance of the instrument to the overall effectiveness of the composition. Lips has given us brief but very informative descriptions of this music on the CD booklet notes. This composition is performed by the State Chamber Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus – Evgeny Bushkov, chief conductor and artistic director and recorded at the Great Concert Hall of the Belarusian State Philharmonic Society on February 12, 2014.
The second piece, “I’m floating on the waves of love” for bayan and chamber orchestra by Mikhail Bronner, (b. 1952) is totally charming; one will like it immediately. The lyric Eight Sonnets as explained by the composer, “The movement of life appears in a cycle of eight pieces: lyric (“I love” - “Cupid” - “First date” - “Spring”,) and tragic (“Declaration of love”, “Time” - “I’m floating on the waves of love”). The last piece – “Oh, music” – is the realization of the eternity of being. Most of the names, including the very name of the cycle, are taken from the sonnets of William Shakespeare and Pierre de Ronsard, French poet of the 16th century.”
The music depicts very well, with some imagination, these titles, with strong proclamations (of love), the flitting of cupid perhaps, sometimes light and active, becoming larger and more encompassing during life, the excitement of first being together, tenderness and beauty, melodic freshness with sweet punctuations and, yes, great happiness, but yet not without concerns or problems in the totality of life. It is performed by the Moscow Schnittke Chamber Orchestra – Igor Gromov, conductor.
The last two selections on this CD are two truly popular and well-known tangos, the first “Tanguango” by Astor Piazzolla (1921 – 1992) and “La Cumparsita” by Gerardo Matos Rodriguez (1897 – 1948). These were performed by the Symphony Orchestra of the Russian Gnesin Academy of music, Alexander Solovyov, conductor, and recorded in the Concert Hall of the Russian Gnesin Academy of Music on December 13, 2013.
Both pieces are given outstanding performances with soaring strings, piano work of the very highest quality, and with Friedrich Lips active throughout and contributing once again with the extreme artistry that he gives to any piece of music he performs, regardless of origin or style. These are absolutely exciting and full of the most utmost passion expected and so incredibly given!
The sound production throughout the CD is excellent. Lips CD 028 Producers: Dr. Herbert Scheibenreif and Johannes Scheibenreif.
Reviewed by Joan Cochran Sommers – January, 2019. Highly recommended!
Available online at: http://www.musicforaccordion.com/Boutique/inform/lips/CD028.htm
|
