Vasily Petrenko - Sym 14 - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767) was renowned for his modern zeitgeist, which enabled him to embrace the evolving musical tastes of his time and the preferences of his audience. His compositional output encompasses influences and musical fashions from many European counties, melting them into the so-called mixed style, the goût réuni. This mix of styles is an especially prominent feature in his XII Fantasie per il Flauto senza Basso (c. 1733, Hamburg). These Fantasias for an unaccompanied flute juxtapose German counterpoint with Italian virtuosity, French and English dance movements with Polish folk infused dances. Perhaps this is what Telemann's choice of title, 'Fantasie', refers to a fanciful, imaginative, daring, and fantastic line-up of musical languages. This invites the idea of exploring the continuing relevance of these ingenious pieces by adding the 21st century to the mosaic of compositional styles. On the occasion of Telemann's 250th anniversary of death in 2017 the City Music Foundation and Tabea Debus have commissioned twelve contemporary pieces based on each of the Fantasias. All of these freshly-penned pieces are reflections on thematic, harmonic or rhythmic material taken from the Fantasias, a (re-) interpretation of musical ideas, a reply to Telemann's musical thoughts. This recording aims not only at documenting the ever expanding repertoire for solo recorder, but also at showcasing so-far Inchunheard ofInch ways of listening to seemingly 'oldInch music. It strives to reveal the continuous relevance of Telemann's music in general and his twelve Fantasias for solo flute in particular.

Shostakovich' First Symphony propelled the teenage composer to international prominence, it's emotional range and innovative orchestration marking him as a daring and precocious talent on the scene.

These two hugely contrasting symphonies come from the opposite ends of Shostakovich's life and career. The Second Symphony was written to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Bolshevik October Revolution. It's advanced idiom of experimental textures and abstract effects can perhaps be best described as organized musical chaos. The Fifteenth was Shostakovich's last symphony and is filled with remarkable contrasts, from the rollicking quotes from Rossini's William Tell Overture and eerie references to Wagner's Gotterdammerung and Tristan und Isolde, to the last and perhaps most imaginative of the composer's symphonic passacaglias. Vasily Petrenko became Chief Conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in September 2009, and in 2013 will become Chief Conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. He was the Classical BRIT Awards Male Artist of the Year 2010 and the Classic FM/Gramophone Young Artist of the Year 2007. In 2009 he was awarded Honorary Doctorates by the University of Liverpool and Liverpool Hope University.