Hakan Hardenberger
Trumpet Concerti
* HK GRUBER: Aerial, Concerto for trumpet and orchestra
* EOTVOS: Jet Stream for trumpet and orchestra
* TURNAGE: From the Wreckage, Concerto for trumpet and orchestra
Hakan Hardenberger (trumpet); Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra/Peter Eotvos
DG 00289 477 6750 Total time: 62:27
Summary for the Busy Executive: From the mildly interesting to the
coma-inducing.
Three contemporary trumpet concerti with the Swedish virtuoso
Hardenberger. The most engaging -- and, not coincidentally, the only
one with any sense of humor -- is Gruber's Aerial. Gruber, a Viennese,
began as a dodecaphonist but like many of his generation, opened up
to other, earlier styles, including popular ones. He has a particular
affinity for the stage. People probably know him best for his Frankenstein!!,
a "pandemonium for chansonnier and orchestra." To me, he seems like a
reincarnation of Eisler and Weill, with a bit of Lotte Lenya thrown in
(he has also sung in cabaret). Aerial consists of two movements: the
first is a bit of impressionism, inspired by the Northern Lights; the
second a genial overview of Thirties dance music (guess which one I liked
more). I'm happy to have heard it, but doesn't really stick with me.
Mark-Anthony Turnage's From the Wreckage apparently depicts a bad patch
in the composer's life. I must admit it's a very focused piece, and I
appreciate its jazz allusions. However, I simply couldn't get into the
gloom. I've liked other scores by Turnage more, notably Three Screaming
Popes.
Eotvos's Jet Stream reminds me of a farmyard filled with the Aeolian
harps of rusting machinery and the occasional lowing of a cow. It's
fine for the first ten minutes. Unfortunately, it lasts over twenty.
Hardenberger needs no praise as a trumpeter from me. I salute his
enterprise, particularly since he'll probably not play any of these
concerti that often through the rest of his career.
Steve Schwartz
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