Seattle Symphony, Gerard Schwarz - Howard Hanson: Symphonies Nos. 4 & 5 (2011)

Tracklist

01. Symphony No. 4, Op. 34, "The Requiem": I. Kyrie: Andante inquieto
02. Symphony No. 4, Op. 34, "The Requiem": II. Requiescat: Largo
03. Symphony No. 4, Op. 34, "The Requiem": III. Dies irae: Presto
04. Symphony No. 4, Op. 34, "The Requiem": IV. Lux aeterna: Largo pastorale
05. Symphony No. 5, Op. 43, "Sinfonia sacra"
06. Elegy in Memory of Serge Koussevitsky
07. Dies natalis I: Introduction and Chorale. Maestoso
08. Dies natalis I: Variation 1. Poco piu mosso
09. Dies natalis I: Variation 2. Allegro
10. Dies natalis I: Variation 3. Pesante
11. Dies natalis I: Variation 4. Andante calmo, nel modo Gregoriano
12. Dies natalis I: Variation 5. Allegro feroce
13. Dies natalis I: Variation 6. Larghetto semplice
14. Dies natalis I: Variation 7. Allegro tempestuoso
15. Dies natalis I: Finale. Poco a poco ritardando al tempo giusto

Hanson’s symphonic cycle reached a profound spiritual crux at the time of the Fourth Symphony, which was written, in effect, as a Requiem for his father. It journeys from turbulence to the simplicity of resolution, in a way both characteristic and also deeply moving. The Fifth Symphony also evokes religious imagery in a tautly structured, richly atmospheric canvas. The Lutheran element surfaces too in Dies Natalis, whilst Hanson’s admiration for Serge Koussevitzky is marked by the Elegy he wrote for the conductor. “Schwarz’s commitment to the music is evident in every bar: you really can take the quality, not least of his marvellous orchestra, for granted.” (Gramophone on the original Delos release)

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