Miklós RÓZSA (1907 - 1995)
Violin Concerto Op.24 (1953/4) [31:22]
Concerto for String Orchestra Op.17 (1943) [23:55]
Theme, Variations and Finale Op.13 (1933) [19:27]
Jennifer Pike (violin)
BBC Philharmonic/Rumon Gamba
rec. MediaCity UK, Salford, 12 and 14 December 2011, 7 January 2012 (Violin
Concerto) and 12 June 2012
CHANDOS CHAN 10738 [75:08]
Theme, Variations and Finale Op.13 is yet another Rózsa work
structured as a theme and variations. This time the theme is an original one
stated by the oboe at the outset. The melancholy theme came to the composer
when he was leaving Hungary to settle in Paris. He had bidden farewell to
his family and it was the last time he would see his father. “Doubtless
this experience was a key element in the mood of the theme” (Andrew
Knowles). As already remarked in other reviews of Rózsa's music, he
developed a real liking for the variation form as a structural device enabling
him to generate diversity within a work while preserving some unity by way
of the ever present-theme no matter how 'disguised'. The Finale is also based
on or at least another variant of the theme. Thus the Finale is yet another
variation rounding things off with what Knowles aptly describes as “a
powerful and dramatic conclusion”.
The Concerto for String Orchestra Op.17 was composed in New York after
the composer had completed one of his film scores: Korda's Rudyard Kipling's
Jungle Book. The historical circumstances - the world was then at war
- may to a certain explain the abrasive and stringent writing as well as the
vigorous thematic material. If Rózsa's music is often closer to that
of Kodaly than that of Bartók, the Concerto for String Orchestra
Op.17 certainly echoes Bartók's intense moods as heard in near-contemporary
works such as the Divertimento for Strings (1939) and parts of the
Concerto for Orchestra. As already mentioned, the outer movements display
muscular string writing and tense thematic material that the deeply elegiac
slow movement fails to enlighten. In short the whole work is a deeply serious,
honest and sincere piece that should feature in the repertoire of string orchestras
willing to venture into more rarely explored, though rewarding repertoire.
The Violin Concerto Op.24 was composed for Jascha Heifetz in 1953 and
revised in 1954. Once again this substantial work falls into the traditional
pattern and is thus in three movements. The first movement is fairly developed
and includes a first cadenza. The music is again folk-inflected as the opening
statement of the theme by the clarinet, soon imitated by the soloist, shows.
The second movement is a beautiful nocturnal elegy characterised by subtle
and delicate orchestral touches. The final movement is in the spirit of an
energetic dance full of lively rhythms although the music halts momentarily
in a calmer section before resuming its original impetus rushing the music
to its explosive close. At the risk of repeating myself, Rózsa's Violin
Concerto is the perfect example of a superbly crafted piece. It has enjoyed
considerable success and was recorded shortly after its first performance.
It is shamefully neglected in concert halls. As the rest of Rózsa's
concert output, it is just too good to be bluntly ignored.
This release, the third volume in the Chandos Rózsa series is just
as fine as the first two. Performances and recorded are superb. Jennifer Pike
plays superbly throughout with technical assurance and deep commitment. Hers
is the finest reading of the Violin Concerto that I have heard so far. Incidentally
there is another recent recording of the Violin Concerto by Anastasia Khitruk
on Naxos 8.570350 that I found marginally less assured particularly so in
the first minutes of the first movement. That said, this budget priced release
might be for you if you do not know the work and want to hear it before deciding
for Jennifer Pike's reading. Full marks again to Andrew Knowles for his detailed
and well informed insert notes.
This generously filled release will be a must for all Rózsa enthusiasts.
Others with a liking for well crafted and attractive music will also find
much to enjoy here. I cannot wait too long for the forthcoming volumes.
Hubert Culot
Volume 3 in Chandos' Rózsa series on a par with the preceding ones
and a superb reading of the Violin Concerto.
see also review by John France
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