Michail Jurowski - Meyerbeer: Music for Festive Occasions (2000)

Born in Berlin, Giacomo Meyerbeer is probably most noted for his French-centered operas Les Hugeunots and Le Prophete. The disk reviewed here shows another side of Meyerbeer's compositional skills-the ability to construct glorious martial music designed for 'festive occasions,' as the title indicates. Under Michail Jurowski's direction, Hannover's excellent Radio Philharmonie of the Northern German Radio plays a powerhouse program of marches, overtures, and dances with exuberant, bombastic panache. Serious music this isn't; thoroughly enjoyable, exhilerating music it most certainly is. If this disk doesn't wake up your neighbors and get your blood flowing, nothing is likely to do so. Recommended for all classical music fans.