Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz, David Porcelijn - Röntgen: Symphony No. 3 / Aus Jotunheim Suite (2006)

Tracklist

01. Symphony No. 3 In C Minor: I. Allegro Molto e Passionato
02. Symphony No. 3 In C Minor: II. Andante, un Poco Sostenuto
03. Symphony No. 3 In C Minor: III. Presto Feroce
04. Symphony No. 3 In C Minor: IV. Largamente - Allegro - Largamente
05. Aus Jotunheim Suite: I. Lento, Ma un Poco Andante
06. Aus Jotunheim Suite: II. Vivo Ed Energico
07. Aus Jotunheim Suite: III. Andante Con Moto
08. Aus Jotunheim Suite: IV. Allegro, Giocoso
09. Aus Jotunheim Suite: V. Lento

How many minor late Romantic symphonies are there? Dozens? Hundreds? Thousands? And do they all merit recordings? More specifically, does the Symphony No. 3 in C minor from 1910 by German-born Dutch composer Julius Röntgen deserve a recording? Who can say? Are its rhetorical gestures, its monumental scoring, its pounding rhythms, and its muscular counterpoint worth reviving? Does Röntgen have the talent to invent striking themes and cogent harmonies plus the skill to hold together a half-hour long, four movement orchestral work through thematic transformation and harmonic modulations? These are questions that can only be answered by listening. Certainly, David Porcelijn and the Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz give Röntgen's Third every chance for success with a strong and confident performance. Surely, coupling the Third with Röntgen's lighter, slighter, and altogether more lyrical five-movement Suite Aus Jotunheim from 1892 presents the work with a truly charming discmate. And absolutely producer Günter Appenheimer grants Röntgen, Porcelijn, and the Staatsphilharmonie big, deep, and clear sound. Whether the result deserves a place on the shelf is up to the listener.

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