CRI, founded in 1954,
has an enviably massive archive of recordings
issued since the early days of the LP.
Gradually they are finding their way
onto CD in generously timed compilations.
The American masters series is notable
for its span and its successes of which
there are many.
Jacobi is almost completely
unknown but on the proof of this disc
that neglect is not warranted. He was
a native of San Francisco and his tutors
were Bloch, Juon and Rubin Goldmark.
He numbered Robert Ward, Alexei Haieff,
and Robert Starer among his pupils.
His works include two symphonies and
concertos for violin and piano - all
of which I would dearly loved to hear.
Until then here is CRI's
compilation which cuts across all media
apart from vocal. The compact Cello
Concerto (rather similar in scale to
the Pfitzner works) is a work alternating
rhapsodic introspection, Old Testament
reverence, a grave sensuality and
bush-fire blazes of passion. Bloch's
Schelomo may well have been an influence.
In the lengthier Hagiographa for piano
and string quartet the three movements
centre on the biblical characters of
Job (highly charged, even in spectral
quietude), Ruth (Idyllically
pastoral - echoes of Grieg and pointillism)
and Joshua (splendidly spirited).
The wartime Ballad reeks
of Hungarian gypsy atmosphere, cantorial
chants and Kodaly. The String Quartet
of three years later has clear and clean
lines and no lack of Bloch-like passion.
There is a lightly fleet third movement
and the finale has a creepy fervour.
While not totally compelling it has
considerable melodic interest.
The notes are as good
as ever providing plenty of much-needed
background. The highlights are Hagiographa
and the concerto. Now will someone please
look out the symphonies and the other
two concertos?
Reviewer
Rob Barnett
CRI AMERICAN MASTERS CD703 [76.32]