Jonathan HARVEY (b. 1939)
Works for Piano – Works for Flute and Piano: Nataraja (1983)
[11:02]; Run Before Lightning (2004) [7:35]; Tombeau de Messiaen (1994) [08:41];
Vers (2000) [02:46]; ff (1995) [02:16]; Homage to Cage, à Chopin (und Ligeti
ist auch dabei) (1998) [01:40]; Haiku (1997) [00:19]; Four Images After Yeats
(1969) [23:30]
Florian Hoelscher (piano); Pirmin Grehl (flute)
rec. 10-11 September 2007 and 23-25 July 2008, MDR Studio, Augustenplatz,
Leipzig, Germany. DDD
NEOS 10828 [58:11]
The disc opens with the explosive piccolo and piano beginning of Nataraja,
a dramatic piece which refers to the four-armed Indian God (also known as
Shiva). The piece uses flute and piccolo, with moments of calm interspersed
with active dance figurations. The influences of both Indian culture and the
bird-song writing of Messiaen are detectable, as well as Harvey’s interest
in electronic music, which can be heard through some of the uses of extended
techniques and textures. Run Before Lightning, Harvey’s most recent
flute work, was composed in 2004 as a competition test-piece. The stormy opening
creates a dark atmosphere, demonstrating Harvey’s imagination for orchestration.
The centre of the piece is calmer and more reflective, but elements of the
storm return before the end. Both these works demonstrate a real understanding
of the instruments for which they are written. They are performed with vigour
and excellence by these players. Primin Grahl’s flute playing is assured,
expressive and controlled, with a dazzling technique and silky tone. I’d like
to hear more from this young, talented player.
Tombeau de Messiaen is perhaps one of Harvey’s most well-known piano
pieces, extending the instrument’s range of sound with an electronics part
of modified piano sounds. The music strays further from the concept of a traditional
piano piece as it develops and the eerie sound of the electronics is allowed
to take over. This is an interesting work which shows with much success one
of the possible approaches to writing for a live instrument and electronics.
Four short pieces follow. Vers is an expressive work which combines
sumptuous harmonies with dramatic dance-like figurations to create a well-formed
and fascinating miniature. ff is a loud and fast work which makes wide
use of the overtone series. The work’s driving energy alternates between syncopated
chords and accented, toccata-like bass sections. The Homage to Cage, à
Chopin (und Ligeti ist auch dabei) is another short work which pays tribute
to some of the leading composers of piano repertoire. Again possessing the
feel of a toccata, Chopin’s music is played in the style of Cage on a prepared
piano, combined with Harvey’s own compositional style. The nineteen second
long Haiku is made up of seventeen notes, which are allowed to combine
to form a chord, in a moment of elegance and poise.
The final work on the disc is Four Images after Yeats for solo piano.
This is a four movement tour-de-force, composed in 1969. Various composers
are quoted through the work, including Bach, Mozart, Scriabin and others.
Harvey incorporates these sounds entirely into his own work, and the influence
of his teacher, Milton Babbitt, is also subtly present. Although complex in
terms of harmony and texture, the music is deeply expressive, and I find the
style fascinating rather than distracting. One never has the sense here that
the music is difficult for academic effect; at the heart lies a sort of romanticism,
with an emotional message to be conveyed.
Florian Hoelscher gives Harvey’s music some wonderfully emotive communication,
finding the poetic nature of the writing and bringing that to the listening
audience. His playing is polished and well controlled, without losing a sense
of naturalness or humanity, and one has the feeling that his excellent technique
serves primarily to enable him to express the essence of the music.
This is a world-class performance of some magnificent repertoire from some
very exciting players. Harvey’s music works on many different levels, from
the intellectual to the emotional, and the music has clearly captured the
imagination of these performers. Their enthusiasm is infectious, creating
an unmissable disc.
Carla Rees