Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Douglas Boyd & Steven Copes - George Tsontakis: Violin Concerto No. 2; Clair de Lune; The Past, The Passion (2007)

Composer George Tsontakis possesses a singular ability to integrate themes, fragments, techniques, and aesthetics from across the history of Western art music, dabble in the jazz idiom, and tip his hat to some modern techniques. Though many composers have used models from the past to influence and drive their own compositions, Tsontakis does all of this without it ever seeming as if to rely exclusively on the past or make references so heavy-handed that listeners think he is incapable of original thought. Quite the contrary; Tsontakis' works and musical style are completely his own. Although highly chromatic, rhythmically, and contrapuntally complex, his compositions are generally quite accessible and usually quite emotionally evocative. This album of his award-winning works is no exception. Performed by the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, by whom the Second Violin Concerto and Clair de lune were commissioned, this album is an exceptional introduction to Tsontakis for anyone who has not already had the pleasure. The Violin Concerto, performed by the orchestra's concert master Steven Copes, earned Tsontakis the Grawemeyer Award. Although entitled a concerto, this highly expressive piece is truly more of a rhapsodic dialogue between the solo violin and orchestra rather than a showpiece for the violin. Throughout the album, the SPCO proves its affinity for the composer via highly committed, detailed performances that go well beyond simply playing the notes, instead drawing listeners in and telling a story through Tsontakis' music.

Review by Mike D. Brownell