Over the last few months,
I reviewed several recordings of works
by Larry Bell. At that time, I remarked
that this composer’s music was the direct
heir of Copland and, as such, presented
a sort of present-day Americana. None
worst for that, I must say, for he is
a composer who wants to communicate
in direct terms, regardless of any current
trends and fashions. Though fairly traditional,
his music approaches the American symphonic
tradition in a most refreshing way,
which is to my mind his most endearing
quality. The four orchestral works here
are all fairly recent, and were composed
over the years 1996-1999. They confirmed
my first impression, although listening
to his Second Symphony also brings Virgil
Thomson and his popular Symphony
on a Hymn Tune to mind. Indeed,
Bell’s Symphony No.2 "Idumea"
Op.40 is based on a Southern
hymn tune which runs throughout the
symphony, albeit in hugely varied guise.
The first movement, a "monothematic
sonata form" (the composer’s words)
mostly based on the hymn tune, is followed
by a perky Scherzo. The slow movement
Double Variations alternates
an original tune and the basic hymn
tune, whereas the final movement is
a lively rondo.
Song and Dance
Op.44, subtitled Divertimento
for Chamber Orchestra, is a more
relaxed and lighter work indulging in
popular dance music. A delightful, unpretentious
work to be enjoyed for what it is worth,
that could (should) become a popular
concert opener.
The very title of the
Short Symphony for Band Op.47
obliquely pays some tribute to two works
that Bell admittedly admires, viz. Copland’s
Short Symphony and Persichetti’s
Symphony No.6 Op.69 for
band. (Persichetti was one of Bell’s
teachers, Roger Sessions was another.)
Again in four short movements, based
this time on five madrigals composed
in 1996 to texts by Wallace Stevens,
this is quite appealing.
The Sentimental
Muse Op.45 was commissioned
by Kathryn Sleeper who gave the first
performance in 1998. The composer tells
us that it is mostly based on two melodies.
One of them appeared in Bell’s set of
twelve preludes and fugues for piano
Reminiscences and Reflections
Op.46 (available on North/South
N/S R 1032, to be reviewed shortly)
whereas the second is "a little
sentimental tune". The first movement,
roughly in sonata form, makes play of
these tunes, as does the third movement
which also briefly glances back at the
"sentimental tune". There
are not that many successful bassoon
concertos around, so Bell’s essay is
a most welcome addition to the repertoire.
These attractive and
enjoyable pieces are all well served
by very fine performances and recording.
If you are in tune with the American
symphonic tradition of Copland, Piston
or Thomson, then Larry Bell’s superbly
crafted music is for you. Anyway, this
beautifully produced release is the
best possible introduction to his music
and may safely be recommended.
Hubert Culot
see also
Larry
BELL (born
1952) The
Black Cat Op.28 (1987)a Caprice
for Solo Cello Op.12 (1978)b
Fantasia on an Imaginary Hymn Op.17
(1983/4)c River of Ponds
Op.5 (1986)d 
Robert J. Lurtsema (narrator)a;
Sarah Clarke (viola)c; Eric
Bartlett (cello)abcd; Larry
Bell (piano)ad Recorded:
WGBH-FM Radio, Boston, April 1998 (The
Black Cat); Unitarian Church, Montclair,
NJ, May 1998 (Caprice, Fantasia);
SUNY Purchase Recital Hall, Purchase,
NJ, May 1998 (River of Ponds)
NORTH/SOUTH RECORDINGS R 1018 [69:20]
[HC]
Contemporary,
though very tuneful and warmly lyrical,
and very accessible. A very fine, enjoyable
release on all counts.... see Full
Review
MUSIC
FROM SIX CONTINENTS –
1992 SERIES - Paul
MORAVEC (born 1957) Spiritdance
(1989) - Ann
SILSBEE (born 1930) Sanctuary
(1991) - Jerré
TANNER (born 1939) Suite
from The Singing Snails (1986)
- Larry BELL
(born 1952) Sacred Symphonies Op.23
(1985)
Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra of Bratislava/Szymon
Kawalla - Recorded: no date, published
1992
VIENNA MODERN MASTERS VMM 3016 [71:29]
[HC]
A
most enjoyable disc well worth investigating.
… see
Full Review
MUSIC
FROM SIX CONTINENTS – 1996
SERIES - Thomas
M. SLEEPER (born 1956) Concerto
for Bassoon and Orchestra (1992)a
- Margaret
Shelton MEIER (born 1936) The
Dawning (1994)b - Haydn
REEDER (born 1944) Lark 2
(1996) - Larry
BELL (born 1952) Piano Concerto
Op.33 (1989)c
Kathryn Sleeper (bassoon)a;
Bozhena Petrova (celesta)b;
Larry Bell (piano)c; The
Ruse Philharmonic Orchestra, Bulgaria;
Tsanko Delibozov, Thomas Sleeper - Recorded:
no information available, published
1996
VIENNA MODERN MASTERS VMM 3037 [64:39]
[HC]
An
interesting disc with two substantial,
if uneven works and two shorter, attractive
pieces, all in fine performances … see
Full
Review
American
Breath - Music for Saxophone: David
MASLANKA (born
1943) Sonata
for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1988)a
- Larry BELL
(born 1952) Mahler
in Blue Light Op.43 (1996)b
- Russell PETERSON
(born 1969) Concerto
for Alto Saxophone and Percussion Orchestra
(2000)c
Russell Peterson (alto saxophone); Diane
Tremaine (cello)b;
Douglas Schneider (piano)ab;
Tri-College Percussion Ensemblec;
David Eylerc - Recorded:
Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, July 1999 and October 2000
BARKING DOG RECORDS BDR 2181 [71:40] [HC]
A fairly unusual,
though very attractive selection.
… see Full
Review
