Rued LANGGAARD (1893-1952)
Piano Music
Blumenvignetten (1913)
Stambogsblad (1909)
Sommerferie i Blekinge (1918)
Gitanjali-Hymner (1918)
Flammekamrene (1937)
Smaa Sommerminder (1940)
Piano Sonata No. 3 Minder fra Høstens Tid (1941)
Skyggeliv (1914/1945)
Blomstervignetten (1951)
Peter Froundjian (piano)
rec June 1995, Berlin. DDD
DANACORD DACOCD 430
[72.05]
Peter Froundjian's 1995 selection from the shoals of Langgaard piano works
overlaps with the same company's Johnsson disc (DACOCD 369) in Smaa
Sommerminder (only the Engang movement), Blomstervignetter,
Flammekamrene and Skyggeliv representing about half an hour
of the playing time. Movements from Gitanjali-Hymner are on both discs:
Nos 3 and 9 on Johnsson's and 7 on Froundjian's.
Langgaard remains a disconcerting musical sprite. He can write music of
shuddering horror and violence (as in Afgrundsmusik) or glistening
tenderness (as in Sinfonia Interna and Sfærernesmusik).
At the same time he throws himself, heart and soul, into music that might
almost be pastiche-Schumann though he leaves no aftertaste of showmanship
or mere cleverness.
Blumenvignetten and Blomstervignetten are the floral overture
and peroration to Froundjian's recital. In the first the range is from Macdowell
(To a Wild Rose) to the lunar poise of Beethoven and Chopin and
Stambogslad is in a related regretful mood. Froundjian's glycerine-soft
misty arpeggiation is a joy to hear. Schumann is a constant presence as also
in the Smaa Sommerminder: charmers every one; lissom and not outstaying
their welcome. Schumann also casts a fluent spell over the five movement
Piano Sonata No 3. More than once Langgaard rises to major climactic statements
crossing the divide into Rachmaninov territory. In the Ved Hotel
movement one quiet chord rings sombrely - heavy with meaning. Both in
this movement and the fifth Langgaard shows himself the master of the felicitous
fall, of great tenderness and a sense of basking in the light recalling Delian
Summer Gardens.
If this disc has a weakness it is in its concentration on the feminine side
of Langgaard's muse. The variety, contrast and generosity of the Johnsson
disc is to be preferred. Johnsson set down his versions on analogue tape
but the sound is very good indeed.
Rob Barnett
If in difficulty by all means contact the UK distributors:
Discovery Records Ltd
discovery.records@virgin.net
phone 01672 563931
fax 01672 563934
or Danacord via their website at
www.danacord.dk
