MacDowell: Orchestral Works, Vol. 1

by BBC Philharmonic Orchestra

Overview

The music of Edward MacDowell isn't so often played these days, especially not outside the U.S. However, conductor John Wilson, here leading the BBC Philharmonic, is known for going his own way, and he delivers highly enjoyable performances of some MacDowell works that, except for the evergreen To a Wild Rose from the Ten Woodland Sketches, Op. 51, rarely show up on symphonic programs, even in America. Wilson, who has a varied output, including a good deal of film music, is the right person for the job here. He adds a lot of episodic dramatic impact to the tone poem Lancelot und Elaine (MacDowell spent a good chunk of his career in Germany), with a story drawn from Tennyson and a system of Wagnerian leitmotifs for the two lovers of Arthurian lore. There are several other tone poems, or parts of unfinished ones, all quite rare. The other main draw is pianist Xiayin Wang in MacDowell's Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 15, written when the composer was 21 and dedicated "to the Master Franz Liszt" (who accepted "with sincere thanks"). This work is definitely in the Lisztian mold, and if it has less of a distinct personality than the tone poems, it still packs quite a punch; sample Wang's blistering finale. The BBC Philharmonic fares well in a lot of unfamiliar music, and Chandos contributes spacious MediaCity studio sound that keeps the textures clear. It is probably time to give MacDowell another listen, and here, one has one's best chance. This album made classical best-seller lists in the late autumn of 2024. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	12/06/2024
Label:	CHANDOS
UPC:	0095115230527

Tracks

1. Lancelot und Elaine, Op. 25 for Large Orchestra
2. Concerto No. 1, Op. 15 in A minor for Piano and Orchestra~I. Maestoso - Allegro con fuoco - Un poco meno mosso - [Cadenza.] A piacere - Animato - Piú mosso
3. Concerto No. 1, Op. 15 in A minor for Piano and Orchestra~II. Andante tranquillo
4. Concerto No. 1, Op. 15 in A minor for Piano and Orchestra~III. Presto - Maestoso - Molto piú lento - Quasi Tempo I - Presto - Prestissimo
5. Two Fragments after 'The Song of Roland', Op. 30~Die Sarazenen. Allegretto feroce in B minor
6. Two Fragments after 'The Song of Roland', Op. 30~Die schöne Aldâ. Andantino teneramente in E flat major
7. To a Wild Rose, Op. 51 No. 1 (from Woodland Sketches for Solo Piano)
8. Lamia, Op. 29 in G minor for Large Orchestra

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Xiayin Wang   Primary Artist,Piano
John Wilson   Primary Artist,Conductor
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra   Primary Artist,Orchestra

Technical Credits

Edward MacDowell   Composer
Jonathan Esp   Assistant Engineer
Dan Carney   Piano Technician
John Cole   Assistant Engineer
Brian Pidgeon   Photography,Recording Producer
Stephen Rinker   Engineer
Finn S. Gundersen   Booklet Editor
Dario Acosta   Cover Photo,Photography
Andreas Klatt   Liner Note Translation
Marie-Stella Paris   Liner Note Translation
Yuri Torchinsky   Leader
Sue Shortridge   A&R
Astrid Ackermann   Photography
Tom Parnell   Assistant Engineer
Mike George   Recording Producer
Victor Herbert   Arranger
Cass Cassidy   Design,Typesetting
Alexander James   Editing
Karen Marchlik   A&R
Mervyn Cooke   Liner Notes