Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Dark classical for genuine music lovers..., 3 Jan 2007
Despite the rather inappropriate "painting" by August Macke which somebody felt they had to represent Rathaus' symphonies with by placing on the cover to this CD, this is an otherwise excellent purchase. I somehow feel that such a poor cover will alienate many people from purchasing this CD, which is a tremendous shame. Anyway, feel relieved that the music and its composer have no connection to Macke's painting that I know of, and Rathaus clearly had far greater artistic merit...
This CD is divided into eight tracks: the first four of which constitute the second symphony (composed in 1923), and the remaining four the third symphony (composed between 1942-1943). Both are composed in a style of dark classical, similar to Cyril Scott's third symphony; in other words, the music is dark not in a depressing manner, such as Shostakovich's excellent eighth and later symphonies appeared to be, but in a Romantic and mysterious manner, perhaps suited to an early horror film. Personally, I think both symphonies contained on this CD are equally good, though the one being earlier than the other makes it all the more impressive. The second symphony was not well received in its day, mostly due to expectations of conservative (mainstream) music which many people demanded. However, I feel certain that anyone who enjoys music for its actual content, power and ambience will definitely love the music represented here. Much music, though not all, composed in traditional classical style, such as in imitation of Mozart and Haydn, is merely created with easy recognition and fame in mind, with little actual emotion or quality music being written in such cases. Karol Rathaus, however, seemed to be unmoved by the idea of easy success, and decided to leave us a handful of true classics, instead of hundreds of manufactured pieces.
As a final point, I would add that the recording quality here seems good, but has somehow been mixed in a way that makes it sound a little muffled at times and far older than the recording actually is. I suppose this was done with authenticity and atmosphere in mind? At any rate, the performances seem fine to me, and I hope that more of Rathaus' works are released soon, and given the recognition they deserve.
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(1 customer review)
