Adler, S - Orchestral Works [CD]

There's no denying that Samuel Adler is one of the champions of contemporary American music, both Jewish and otherwise. His father was was a highly respected cantor and composer in pre-war Mannheim, and in 1939 the Adler family came to the US because of the persecution of the Jews of Europe. Adler studied composition with Aaron Copland, Paul Hindemith, Walter Piston and Randall Thompson and studied conducting with Serge Koussevitzky. His compositions and his awards are many. Amazon.com lists a dozen or so recordings featuring his works.

My favorite selection on this recording is FIVE SEPHARDIC CHORUSES for six soloists, mixed choir and piano accompaniment. They are cheery, upbeat, joyful, and in my opinion should be included in the repertoire of professional and collegiate choruses everywhere. I'd enjoy singing them if I were a chorus member.

It's unfortunate that only a few Reform synagogues have the resources to perform large-scale works such as Adler's High Holy Day suite "Hinei Yom Hadin" and "Shiru Ladonai," his complete Sabbath evening service. And since we don't have complete recordings of those works, these SELECTED LITURGICAL WORKS will have to suffice. Masterfully performed by the Rochester Singers and Cantors Alberto Mizrahi and Roslyn Jhunever Barak (gorgeous voice), and organist Barbara Harbach. The composer conducts. Lovely music, beautiful singing. Worth the price of this disc.

The rest of the pieces on the disc - NUPTIAL SCENE, EXCERPTS FROM THE BINDING, and SYMPHONY NO. 5: WE ARE ECHOES - fail to engage me emotionally. Nevertheless, I can, and do, appreciate the craftsmanship of the composer and the artistry of the performers. Listening to soprano Phyllis Bryn-Julson navigate the impossibly difficult vocal part on Symphony No. 5 is an "awesome" experience. (". . . the purity of her voice, a three-octave range, and perfect pitch have made her internationally renowned as an interpreter of 20th century music.") However, I need music that appeals to my emotions as well as to my intellect, so I don't think I'll be listening to these three pieces with any regularity in the future. You, however, may feel differently.

Music lovers should be grateful to Milken Archive not only for exposing us to new music and to little-known composers, but also for giving us the opportunity to hear so many excellent musicians. This disc alone features twelve outstanding soloists as well as the Kirkpatrick Choir of Rutgers University, the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, and The Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra. All are worthy of our praise and appreciation, as are Lowell Milken and Neil W. Levin of the Milken Archive. I sincerely hope this series is a huge financial AND artistic success.