David Porcelijn, Rheinland Palatinate State Philharmonic Orchestra - Rontgen, J.: Symphony No. 10 - Symphonietta Humoristica - Old Netherlands Suite (2008)

Tracklist

01. Symphony No. 10 In D Major, "Waltz Symphony"
02. Symphonietta Humoristica: I. Vivace Giocoso
03. Symphonietta Humoristica: II. Con Moto e Con Delicatezza
04. Symphonietta Humoristica: III. Allegro Non Troppo e Marcato
05. Symphonietta Humoristica: IV. Allegro, un Poco Sostenuto - Piu Vivace e Scherzando - Tempo I - Piu Vivace
06. 3 Preludes and Fugues (version for Orchestra): Prelude No. 1: Lento
07. 3 Preludes and Fugues (version for Orchestra): Fugue No. 1: Poco Allegro
08. 3 Preludes and Fugues (version for Orchestra): Prelude No. 2: Andante Tranquillo
09. 3 Preludes and Fugues (version for Orchestra): Fugue No. 2: Vivace Leggiero
10. 3 Preludes and Fugues (version for Orchestra): Prelude No. 3: Lento Solenne
11. 3 Preludes and Fugues (version for Orchestra): Fugue No. 3: Andante un Poco Sostenuto
12. Old Netherlands Suite: I. Janne Moeie, Al Clear, Al Clear
13. Old Netherlands Suite: II. Niet Dan Druk en Lijden Und Is In't Herte Mijn
14. Old Netherlands Suite: III. Contredans
15. Old Netherlands Suite: IV. Heer Halewijn Zong Een Liedekijn

Not all German-speaking composers active in the later nineteenth and earlier twentieth centuries specialized in writing dark and depressing music. Witness Julius Röntgen, one of the most ebullient composers you're likely to encounter as demonstrated in this CPO disc with David Porcelijn leading the Deutsches Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz. Röntgen was a cheerful soul with facile compositional technique, a talent for orchestration, and a melodic gift. The works featured here are delightful and mostly on the lighter side (the exception being the Three Preludes and Fugues). The Symphony surfs on its energetic tempo, the Symphonietta cuts up with sunny humor, the Suite crystallizes high spirits, and the Preludes and Fugues reveal skillful counterpoint and a vein of more serious thought. Each performance is polished and committed, revealing Porcelijn to be an enthusiastic interpreter and the Rheinland orchestra to be thoroughly polished. If some listeners reject Röntgen's smiling music out of hand, it may be that they are too acclimated to Mahler, Strauss, Reger, and Schreker's scowling music to give Röntgen's a fair chance. CPO's digital sound is typically cool, clean, and colorful.

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