Elliott Carter: Symphonia: Sum Fluxae Pretium Spei (1993-96) / Clarinet Concerto (1996) (20/21 series) - Oliver Knussen

Elliott Carter: Symphonia: Sum Fluxae Pretium Spei (1993-96) / Clarinet Concerto (1996) (20/21 series) - Oliver Knussen

Elliott Carter: Symphonia: Sum Fluxae Pretium Spei (1993-96) / Clarinet Concerto (1996) (20/21 series) - Oliver Knussen
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Music CD Cover

Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2000-01-11
Music Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Soundtracks:
  1. Clarinet Concerto: Scherzando
  2. Clarinet Concerto: Deciso
  3. Clarinet Concerto: Tranquillo
  4. Clarinet Concerto: Presto
  5. Clarinet Concerto: Largo
  6. Clarinet Concerto: Giocoso
  7. Clarinet Concerto: Agitato
  8. Symphonia: Sum Fluxae Pretium Spei: I. Partita
  9. Symphonia: Sum Fluxae Pretium Spei: II. Adagio tenebroso
  10. Symphonia: Sum Fluxae Pretium Spei: III. Allegro scorrevole

Free Music Notes for Elliott Carter: Symphonia: Sum Fluxae Pretium Spei (1993-96) / Clarinet Concerto (1996) (20/21 series) - Oliver Knussen

Free Music Review: Carter at the Apex
Hit: 5 Stars

At an age where most composers have stopped (or died), Elliott Carter has reached yet another apex in a long and fruitful career. This disk contains a pair of substantive works, one brief and one quite lengthy.

The "Clarinet Concerto" in its seven miniature and connected movements, clearly shows the sunny aspect that underlies much of Carter's music. The writing is both humorous and treacherous for the soloist. The orchestration is brilliant: colorful but never overwhelming the clarinet. Not that this piece is easy to perform, but the balances are natural and unforced. So many people are afraid of Elliott Carter, but this piece is fun to hear.

A striking aspect of the "Symphonia" is its classicism. Except for the addition of mallets in the percussion, this could easily be a late 19th-century orchestra. Carter doesn't use extended techniques (plucking the piano, bowing the cymbals, etc) as part of his sound-palette. In its three movements, "Symphonia" follows the classical pattern of fast/slow/fast. The first movement is complex, contrasting and vividly dramatic--characteristics that might be found in Brahms. The second is lyrical, rising to one great climax before quietly yielding to the final movement. The last movement is fast and flowing with the wonderful contrast of lyrical strings over rapid bursts from the woodwinds. But with all of these similarities to more classical music, why does Carter sound so different? He is perhaps not so interested in establishing a long distinguishable line that is then developed. It is sometimes a little difficult to determine exactly what his underlying material IS. But with repeated and focused listening, more and more becomes clear, and his connection with the great classical tradition is solidly established.

This is not music for playing in the background. It requires time and concentration. But Oliver Knusson's skilled conducting lays the piece out so that wonderful music can be heard by those willing to listen.

Elliott Carter: Symphonia: Sum Fluxae Pretium Spei (1993-96) / Clarinet Concerto (1996) (20/21 series) - Oliver Knussen Poster

Composed by Elliott Carter at the ripe old age of 84 and debuted in 1998 (a time when the composer was more prolific than ever), Symphonia could be one of the contemporary music maverick's grandest works to date. In about 45 minutes, the piece--inspired by the 17th-century poem Bulla by Richard Crenshaw--sonically mimics an airborne bubble, bouncing from one environment to the next until--you guessed it--it's gone for good. The opening movement, Partita, swings between atmospheric string passages and sharp clusters of percussion and brass. The second, Adagio tenebroso, is a melancholy cauldron (and the composition's darkest moment), and Allegro scorrevole, the finale, is where the composer pulls out all the stops and creates even more sharp contrasts, which gradually make the bubble (one can assume) explode. Even in its atonal and ragged state, there's a gorgeous poetry at work here. 1996's Clarinet Concerto is an added bonus, a composition where the lone clarinet part threads its way through various instrumentations (and themes), creating an unexpected, but delightful ending. Throughout these atmospheric and challenging works, the London Sinfonietta and the BBC Symphony Orchestra deliver remarkable performances. A great pairing of world premieres. --Jason Verlinde

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