Here’s one I’m very excited about: an album featuring music by a composer I’d never heard of, performed by an ensemble I’d never heard of. The Amsterdam Bridge Ensemble absolutely carries me away with the music of Dutch composer Hendrik Andriessen (1892-1981). Jacobien Rozemond – Violin, Doris Hochscheid – Cello, and Frans van Ruth – Piano are perfect purveyors of Andriessen’s Sonata for Cello and Piano (1926), Sonata for Violin and Piano (1932), Three Inventions for Violin and Cello (1937), and the Trio for Piano, Violin and Cello (1939). I know what you’re thinking! This is either some syrupy stuff to accompany tea, or some dissonant, angular stuff which sounds like a cat being tortured. No! Andriessen’s music is totally non-syruppy, but it’s also totally accessible! It owes much to the music of Ravel, Debussy, and even Roussel. This is music to really LISTEN to. The recording is exemplary. I love this album!
-
Hendrik Andriessen€16,99 – €28,49
This is dangerous music! –Seriously dramatic, marvelously involving music from South American composers, Piazzolla, Romero, and Passarella. And it is perfectly brought to us by the world’s oldest chamber orchestra, I Musici. I have a warm spot in my heart for I Musici for introducing me to Barber’s famous Adagio, along with Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances. Anyway, back to the album at hand. This album’s dangerous music has the Tango at its roots. The melodies and rhythms are infectious. Trust me, you will make movies in your mind as you listen…
-
Confluencia€16,99 – €20,99
And speaking of dangerous, how about some dangerous Beethoven? NativeDSD is a treasure trove of world class Beethoven symphonies. How can you top Haitink? Ivan Fischer? Honeck? What a selection! But I want to to take a listen to Jan Willem de Vriend conducting The Netherlands Symphony Orchestra in three exciting sets:
-
Symphonies nos. 2 & 3€17,99 – €28,49
-
Symphonies nos. 4 & 6 Vol 1€17,99 – €28,49
And the jewel in the crown:
-
Beethoven Symphony No. 9€17,99 – €28,49
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying these are BETTER than Haitink or Fischer. Better is a word I only apply to my own preferences at any given moment. But I’ll tell you what, these recordings have a “dancing on the edge” quality that I can’t really define. DSD recordings put you in the hall. The Netherlands Symphony Orchestra is world class. There is nothing overtly radical, but this not your old piano teacher’s Beethoven! Besides, you can never have too many different Beethoven Symphonies! Be a little dangerous.
Photo by Benjamin Davies on Unsplash
