Bridge Records; Inc.
2005
The Music of Elliott Carter Vol. 7; Boston Concerto, Cello Concerto, ASKO Concerto, Dialogues
About This Album
The seventh volume in Bridge's comprehensive series of the music of Elliott Carter presents four important concertos, composed in as many years by the dean of American composers, who appears vigorous, sharp-witted, and abundantly creative in his ninth decade. Dialogues for piano and chamber orchestra (2003), performed with crisp articulation and spontaneous energy by pianist Nicolas Hodges and the London Sinfonietta, under the direction of Oliver Knussen, is one of the most transparent of these late works by Carter, whose music in previous years was often noted and criticized for its extreme complexity and density. This piece's textural clarity is aided by the regular alternation of the piano and various subsections of the ensemble, which has rather few overlapping tutti passages. The Boston Concerto for orchestra (2002) is somewhat more elaborately laid out and layered, though much of this work's complexity is diffused over the course of its 13 short, distinctive sections. The BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Knussen, is fastidious in its execution and expressively concentrated in this virtuoso vehicle. Carter's Cello Concerto (2001) is played with a plangent edge by Fred Sherry against the BBCSO's brutal but effective accompaniment, though the ASKO Concerto (2000) receives a more relaxed, conversational treatment by the ensemble for which the piece was composed and named. Both are conducted by the astute Knussen, who has delivered a consistent and evenly balanced album, despite having to divide his energies between three different groups in two venues over four recording sessions. This disc is highly recommended for Carter's devoted followers, but because of its clear layout and comparative comprehensibility, it is also a good introductory album for newcomers to his music. ~ Blair Sanderson, All Music Guide
Track List

Dialogues, for piano & chamber orchestra
1.
Boston Concerto, for orchestra
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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8.
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11.
12.
13.
14.
Cello Concerto
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
Asko Concerto, for orchestra
22.