Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Music of Ukraine-Kolessa & Skoryk

Here's a few rarities from Ukraine; whether it was British composers or esoterica, ASV was always one of my favorite labels! Enjoy




Kolessa writes flowingly and with a kindly Tchaikovskian grace (Third Suite). The 'pay-off' to the big tune of the first movement suggests (an unlikely) acquaintance with Vaughan Williams' Sixth Symphony. The second movement's allegro vivace has much in common with Korngold's care-free Robin Hood music (and indeed the symphony). Into this stream flows the tense expectancy of Beethoven 5 and 7 and some sunlit Delian moments (3.10). The Largo basks amid blue skies and cuckoo calls - an idyll of the heights - complete with horn solo in authentic 'warbling' style. This has a touch of Szymanowski's Harnasie about it. In the festive finale Kolessa celebrates with the best. Borodin is the model. I thought this symphony well worth while and something you will want to return to. Don't let the Soviet Realist movement titles distract you from enjoying a joyous piece of musicmaking. Let's have the Second Symphony now!

Skoryk's Hutsul Triptych is drawn from music for Paradzhanov's film 'Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors'. Panel 1 is swift, lively, folksy and of a type one can imagine Carmen Dragon taking up. Ivan and Marichka is a dream dance woven around the mystery of The Firebird and the Alan Hovhaness's simpler utterances. Ivan's Death has barbarous elements and strange sounds linking with the symphonies of Avet Terteryan.

The Carpathian Concerto has a folk 'skirl' comparable to a Scottish 'snap' and a yearning lyrical line typical of Constant Lambert in Summer's Last Will and Music for Orchestra. The cimbalom is cross-cut with the wildness of Grainger's Warriors. The woodwind are brilliantly active and a little dance suggests the opening and finale of Walter Piston's Symphony No. 2. The horns are splendidly blatant. As the Concerto closes the sentimental 'Highlands' theme is treated (none too gently) to the avant-garde process and the cimbalom puts in a welcome appearance.
Whether it is in the gorgeous (almost Hungarian) barbarity of Skoryk or radiance of Kolessa turn to this disc for reassurance that there are new and satisfying things that can be done with the orchestra. It delivers an excitement given to very few CDs.

Mykola Kolessa 
1. Sym No.1: First Movt: Orchards Blooming In The Carpathians (Allegro Moderato)
2. Sym No.1: Second Movt: Reminiscence Of Opryshki-Avengers Of The Populace (Allegro Vivace)
3. Sym No.1: Third Movt: On The High Meadow (Largo Ma Non Troppo)
4. Sym No.1: Fourth Movt: Festivity Of The Populace (Allegro Non Troppo)
Myroslav Skoryk
5. Hutsul Tryptich: I. Childhood
6. Hutsul Tryptich: II. Ivan And Marichka
7. Hutsul Tryptich: III. Ivan's Death
8. Carpathian Concerto
http://www37.zippyshare.com/v/83976318/file.html

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Very interesting disc! Thank you sir!!

Aggelos said...

Many thanks!!!

Same here! ASV is still on of my favourite labels.
I am particularly fond of the Loris Tjeknavorian recordings for that label (various were posted on odeonmusic.blogspot) . I wish there were more of him. I truly wanted to hear more orchestral music from Alexander Spendiarov (Spendiarian) and Grigor Yeghiazarian. In general recordings that involve exotic orchestral orientalism by Russian and Soviet composers is full of win!!!

Better yet, any recording that involves Russian and Soviet composers is very interesting and enticing. The ASV label gave us a slew on this matter.

Tzadik said...

Aggelos you are very welcome :) I agree about Tjeknavorian's recordings; I have them all, in storage I think but they will make there way on the blog at some point. -You will likely enjoy the disc of music by Lev Knipper that I just added... Kind regards

Tzadik said...

Aggelos you are very welcome :) I agree about Tjeknavorian's recordings; I have them all, in storage I think but they will make there way on the blog at some point. -You will likely enjoy the disc of music by Lev Knipper that I just added... Kind regards

Aggelos said...

Yes friend. The combination Tjeknavorian+ASV is a splendid one.
http://odeonmusic.blogspot.com/search/label/Loris%20Tjeknavorian
Would it be possible to have some Edgar Hovhannessian?
http://www.allmusic.com/album/hovhannessianmarmar-symphony-no3-mw0001537440

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2000/oct00/gliere.htm
As they reviewer puts it nicely
"ASV's list of recordings has shown pioneering spirit and risk-taking from its earliest years. Its Soviet and Slav catalogue breaks much new ground and does so with flair using local orchestras and conductors."
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2000/oct00/kolessa.htm

Northern Flowers is a very respected label! It's one we should look out for.
Labels such as Russian Disc and the combination Melodiya-Olympia & Melodiya-BMG were fantastic into the bargain!
http://odeonmusic.blogspot.com/search/label/Olympia


Cheers!!

Tzadik said...

Hi Aggelos.

I will be happy to post the Hovhannessian that I have when I can find it (I have 1000's of cds..many in storage!) Are you a fan of Avet Terterian? He is imo the greatest Armenian composer of the later 20th century. His music too is recorded on ASV with the same forces.. Yes Northern Flowers is a godsend. And same goes for Russian Disc, Olympia and the legendary Melodiya. I have a ton of stuff on these labels :) Truly treasure for a collector. Cheers!

Miguel said...

Thanks a lot!

Nice new blog : )

Tzadik said...

Hey Miguel you are very welcome. And thanks for the compliment :D

cvarela said...

Estimado: Tzadik

Este disco es fantástico y he aprendido a leer con mayor entusiasmo a Skoryk en especial.
Preparo algo de Arnold Rosner para mi blog.
saludos

Dear:

This album is fantastic and I learned to read with greater enthusiasm Skoryk s special.
Arnold Rosner prepare something for my blog.

saludos
best regards

Carlos Varela

Tzadik said...

Hi Carlos thanks for visiting the blog, I'm happy I mentioned the Skoryk on your blog :) About Rosner, I have all of his stuff and will be posting the rest soon. Saludos!

Mariusz said...

Hi, is there any chance of this CD being uploaded? Thank you

Tobias said...

Hola, es posible resubir este disco?... gracias