I
have already had the opportunity to review several discs
devoted to music by
Piet Swerts. To avoid repeating
myself, I suggest referring to some of my earlier reviews
for biographical information (see below). Swerts’ prolific
output includes several concertos, of which
Fantasia
para un Marqués completed
in 2001 and inscribed ‘In memoriam Joaquin Rodrigo’ is
scored for guitar and string orchestra. The Fantasia consists
of a set of variations on the theme by Gaspar Sanz used
by Rodrigo in his celebrated
Fantasia para un Gentilhombre (1954).
This is capped by a lively dance movement
Buleria with
an ashamedly Spanish character.
The
late
Peter Cabus was a prolific composer with a
substantial and varied output in almost every genre, though
his music has still to receive its due in terms of public
performance
and recordings. He was often labelled as a neo-classicist.
In fact, he also ventured into more complex territories
such as bi-tonality and even serialism, while preserving
classical values. This translates into formal clarity,
clear-cut thematic material and lively, if at times angular
rhythms. Harmonically, his music is not without sharper
edges and dissonance, but never at the expense of expressivity.
His
Concerto classico for guitar and strings is
one of his last works. Its three movements possess a clear
dance-like character, albeit at times tinged with nostalgia
and melancholy. Although his music may sometimes be austere,
the
Concerto classico is attractive and often beautiful.
Jozef
van Looy’s name and music
are completely new to me. Jaak van Holen’s concise but
well informed notes mention that besides being an organist,
choir director, teacher at the Lemmensinstituut and the
Antwerp and Maastricht conservatories, he also composed
a substantial output including chamber music, orchestral
works and an opera. His Guitar Concerto is by far the
most substantial work here. It is also the most serious
- dramatic even. It is scored for standard symphony orchestra.
The very opening sets the scene with some tense writing.
The music is not without dissonance and harmonic stringency.
The first movement ends abruptly, unresolved. The slow
movement is based on fragments from his mass
Justus
ut palma annually performed in St. Gummaruskerk where
Van Looy was organist and on a carnival song by Frans
Boogaerts (1888–1950), Van Looy’s predecessor at the
church. After a short meditative introduction played
by the strings, the guitar muses alone giving way to
Boogaerts’ carnival song in the woodwind. Further reflection
from the guitar leads into an aggressive, short-lived
orchestral outburst. The dialogue is then resumed, alternating
meditative fragments over soft string accompaniment and
lively snippets of the carnival song. The final movement
opens with a fierce outburst from the orchestra leading
into some forceful music alternating with calmer or lighter
episodes. Some turbulence, however, remains to disrupt
the flow of the music. Another brief climax is followed
by some pensive music, but the work remains as ambiguous
and undecided as ever. A cadenza eventually leads into
the orchestra’s final outburst, without achieving any
real resolution or reconciliation. I was delighted to
make the acquaintance of Van Looy’s music and I certainly
look forward to hearing more. His Guitar Concerto is
a valuable and most welcome addition to the repertoire.
These
three concertos were composed for and/or dedicated to Wim
Brioen who plays beautifully throughout with superb technique
and remarkable musicality. The Slovak Sinfonietta supports
him with fine playing and endearing commitment in scores
that must have been new to them. The recorded sound is
quite good although one may notice a difference in clarity
in the recording of Van Looy’s concerto, which may be due
to the hall’s acoustics. There’s nothing serious enough
to spoil one’s enjoyment of this very attractive and ultimately
rewarding release.
Hubert
Culot
Reviews of other compositions by Piet Swerts
Droombeelden
- Phaedra 92038
String
quartet 2, Clarinet quintet - Phaedra 92045
Symphony 2 - Phaedra 92052
Wind
music - De Haske 10.015-3
Reviews of other releases in the In Flander's Fields
series
Wim
Brioen (guitar)
