Description
An innovative recording, re-released on The Wallace Collection label, presenting significant works for lesser known ensemble combinations from Hindemith, Janacek and Vackar.
The titles include scoring for mixed ensembles such as trumpet, percussion and keyboard; piano, brass and harps; and piano (left hand) and wind ensemble.
Playlist:
Vackár
Concerto for trumpet, percussion and keyboard
Hindemith
Concert Music for piano, brass and harps. Op.49
Janecek
Capriccio for piano (left hand) and wind ensemble
Comments from Nimbus (original label):
The outstanding gem in this collection is the Concerto by Dalibor Vackár, a little known Czech composer. It is a brilliant, energetic piece scored for an unusual combination of trumpet, keyboards and percussion. Virtuoso interaction between all the soloists generates and essential driving force which contrasts with plangent tonal colours from trumpet floating over a backcloth of vibraphone and piano. Whilst more conventional, the Hindemith and Janácek explore the full potential of the piano – brass combination providing added variation and excitement to the brass ensemble medium.
Review from S.J., Gramaphone.net:
Dalibor Vackar’s Concerto is a lively, jazzy piece, making surprisingly effective use of its unusual instrumental combination: it does rather pale beside the Janacek and Hindemith though, and while it’s the shortest item on the disc (just over sixteen minutes), it’s the only one that seriously outstays its welcome. I've no complaints about the performances: Kvapil’s gritty determination in the Capriccio reminds one that Janácek’s original working-title for the piece was “Defiance”, and the almost childlike simplicity of the Adagio’s opening melody is as touching as I can remember it; and in the Hindemith Kvapil, Wallace and his team capture well the Leviathanesque serenity of the opening movement and the brassy brilliance of the second.
