The Scottish Opera - Age of Anxiety: Symphony 2 / Candide Overture - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Part One A - The Prologue introduces the four characters, Quant, a second generation Irish-American, Malin, a medical intelligence officer with the Canadian Air Force, Rosetta, employee at a department store, and Emble, serving in the Navy. After a duo for clarinets, a descending flute scale leads into B - The Seven Ages, where discussion is depicted in seven variants of material already heard. After a tranquil piano solo, soloist and orchestra exchange motifs, then strings have a lyrical theme. A perky scherzo precedes a restless Prokofiev-like idea, before a pensive piano theme and some plaintive woodwind activity. A descending piano sequence leads into C - The Seven Stages, seven further variations representing the four characters as they engage in a variety of relationships. After a stern passacaglia, a waltz section reintroduces the soloist for a syncopated passage, an incisive fugato and an ironic moto perpetuo. The passacaglia theme returns as an orchestral chorale, the piano re-entering to effect a brusque close to the first part. Part Two A - The Dirge relates the four protagonists as they take a taxi-ride to Rosetta's apartment, meanwhile regretting the absence of a spiritual 'father figure' in their lives. Opening with a subdued but intense twelve-note row, the music gradually becomes more impassioned, before leading into B - The Masque, a scintillating scherzo in which the four characters throw an increasingly reckless party, piano accompanied by harp, celesta and percussion. This fades out as C - The Epilogue starts with the four characters leaving their past behind them for something more spiritual, as represented by solo trumpet. The music builds as a slow but implacable chorale, taking in a piano cadenza which reviews earlier themes, and reaching a climax of hard-won triumph. As first performed and recorded, the piano was silent in this climax, but B