Estonian National Symphony Orchestra Gerts Poll - Works for Piano & Orchestra - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Eduard Tubin stands among the most significant symphonic voices of the twentieth century, a composer whose music draws deeply on Nordic landscape, folklore and myth while speaking with a powerful modern voice. This recording with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra and conductor Mihhail Gerts explores the formative years of Tubin's creative life. At it's centre is the Symphony No. 2, InchLegendaryInch (1937), a work that established Tubin's distinctive voice, moving from a mysterious opening through sombre reflection to a fiercely driven finale. Alongside it appears the Suite on Estonian Motifs, his first major orchestral composition, presented here in it's first recording. Completing the program are two early Piano Preludes from 1926, performed by Mihhail Gerts, offering a glimpse of Tubin at the very beginning of his compositional journey. Together these works trace the emergence of a composer who would go on to become one of Estonia's most important musical figures.

In his latest recording for Chandos with his Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi explores pieces by three of Estonia's earliest composers. The bulk of the works in the programme were composed in the first decade of the twentieth century and are all excellent representations of the birth of Estonian Music, as Estonia transitioned from a territory in the Russian Empire to independent Nation State. As was the norm at the end of the 19thcentury, these composers studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatoire, and Estonian symphonic music certainly has it's roots in the Russian Nationalist style. Like so many other European Musics of this era, ethnic identity is emphasized by the inclusion of native folk tunes and the 'Nordic' style of Greig and others is certainly an influence. Kapp's 4thSymphony, however, was written after WWII, when Estonia and the other Baltic States were occupied by the Soviet Union. Dedicated to the 30thAnniversary of the All-Union Leninist Young Communist League (although probably not by choice) Kapp also subtitled it 'Classical Symphony' and it's compact form and light textures deliver a more concentrated distillation of the Estonian style.

The breadth of Anton Rubinstein's contribution to the development of Russian culture in the 19th century cannot be overstated. His multifaceted genius can be divided into three areas Rubinstein the composer, the pianist, and the educator. This third in the series of recordings of his works for piano and orchestra focuses on Rubinstein's role as a pianist. Hailed by The New York Times as a pianist of a fiery sensibility and warm touch, Anna Shelest is an international award-winning pianist who has thrilled audiences throughout the world. Champion of esoteric repertoire, Anna's collaboration with the legendary conductor Neeme Järvi on a project of recording the complete works for piano and orchestra by Anton Rubinstein has been praised by Gramophone Magazine for Inch... power and agility... effortless effect... nuanced and incisive all around.Inch