Naxos are to be heartily
congratulated for re-releasing these
three works by David Diamond on their
successful American Classics series
which were originally available on Delos
DE 3101 to considerable critical acclaim.
The Symphonic Suite: Romeo &
Juliet (1947) which was contained
on the Delos release is not included
here.
David Diamond was born
in 1915 and together with his elder
contemporary Elliott Carter is one of
the two remaining giants among American
composers who came to prominence between
the two World Wars. The composer of
eleven symphonies, Diamond has also
composed most notably a Sinfonietta,
the Ballet Tom, the Elegy
in memory of Ravel
for brass, harp and percussion, Rounds
for string orchestra, a Piano Concerto,
3 Violin Concertos, a Cello Concerto,
the Symphonic Suite Romeo and Juliet,
the Psalm for Orchestra and much
high-quality vocal music.
Like Carter, Diamond
studied with the eminent Nadia Boulanger
in Paris. A close and productive friendship
developed with Leonard
Bernstein who premiered many of
his works. Diamond has been the recipient
of several prestigious honours, arguably
the most notable of which has been the
special citation he received from the
New York Music Circle for his most celebrated
work Rounds, for string orchestra
(1944).
Based on Stravinsky's
appraisal Diamond made a few revisions
the Psalm, for orchestra (1936)
and won the 1937 Juilliard Publication
Award. Psalm was among the compositions
which undoubtedly influenced his receipt
of a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1938.
After the San Francisco premiere of
Psalm under Pierre Monteux, influential
critic Alfred Frankenstein wrote, "On
first hearing, the outstanding qualities
of this work seem to be its fine, granitic
seriousness, its significant compression
of a large idea into a small space,
and its spare, telling use of the large
orchestra." Maestro Schwarz directs
a sensitive and expressive performance
of the Psalm which is a short
and peaceful score that doesn't have
to bellow to make its intensity felt.
Composed in 1987 for
the soloist Yo-yo Ma, Diamond’s Kaddish
for Cello and Orchestra is a welcome
addition to the Jewish inspired rhapsodies
for cello and orchestra, most notably
headed by Bloch's Schelomo and
Bruch's Kol Nidrei. The eminent
Hungarian born virtuoso cellist Janos
Starker provides a splendid performance
of high intensity and considerable lyrical
feeling.
Composed in 1945 Diamond’s
Symphony No. 3 had to wait another five
years for its première. Diamond
had bumped into distinguished conductor
Charles Munch in Paris, explained the
difficulties that he was experiencing
in getting the symphony performed and
showed him the score. Munch stated,
"But this is ridiculous. We must have
it performed. I will do it next season."
Maestro Munch lived up to his promise
and gave the first performance of the
work with his Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Gerard Schwarz and
his Seattle Symphony Orchestra provide
a most eminently convincing interpretation
of the work. Ardently performed with
considerable characterisation and appropriate
impetus and vigour in the opening movement
Allegro and the third movement
Scherzo.
This Naxos disc at
super budget price will undoubtedly
win Diamond many new admirers.
Michael Cookson
see also review
by Rob Barnett
Janos Starker (cello)*