RÓZSA Orchestral Works Volume 2
More concert music by a composer rather better known for his film scores
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Miklós Rózsa
Genre:
Orchestral
Label: Chandos
Magazine Review Date: 09/2011
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 66
Mastering:
Stereo
DDD
Catalogue Number: CHAN10674

Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Variations on a Hungarian Peasant Song |
Miklós Rózsa, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra Jennifer Pike, Violin Miklós Rózsa, Composer Rumon Gamba, Conductor |
(The) Vintner's Daughter |
Miklós Rózsa, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra Miklós Rózsa, Composer Rumon Gamba, Conductor |
Hungarian Nocturne |
Miklós Rózsa, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra Miklós Rózsa, Composer Rumon Gamba, Conductor |
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra |
Miklós Rózsa, Composer
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra Miklós Rózsa, Composer Paul Watkins, Cello Rumon Gamba, Conductor |
Author: Ivan March
Rózsa was especially impressive in variations, as the diverse and colourful Variations on a Hungarian Peasant Song demonstrates. It features a concertante solo violin – the seductive Jennifer Pike, who is equally impressive in both the virtuosity and sweet lyricism of her solo role. The Vintner’s Daughter (12 variations on a French folksong) was originally written for solo piano and it was Eugene Ormandy who commissioned the orchestral version, with its imaginative and highly contrasted instrumental colouring and tempi. The Notturno ungherese again features a gentle solo clarinet at its opening but, spiced with a pair of passionate climaxes, it is a truly volatile Hungarian rhapsody.
The disquieting Cello Concerto was inspired by the composer’s meeting with his compatriot, János Starker, who aided its composition. The work is comparatively austere but emotionally gripping. The first movement demands (and receives) passionate virtuosity; the darkly coloured central Lento broods intensely and hauntingly; the dancing, moto perpetuo finale is dissonantly aggressive, with frenzied writing for soloist and orchestra alike, framing a hauntingly mysterious yet tranquil centrepiece. These are four first-rate works by a still neglected composer, marvellously played and recorded.
Discover the world's largest classical music catalogue with Presto Music.

Gramophone Digital Club
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £8.75 / month
Subscribe
Gramophone Full Club
- Print Edition
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £11.00 / month
Subscribe
If you are a library, university or other organisation that would be interested in an institutional subscription to Gramophone please click here for further information.