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 Rózsa: Viola Concerto, Hungarian Serenade / Smolij, Karni, Et Al
Release Date: 12/16/2008 
Label:  Naxos   Catalog #: 8570925   Spars Code: n/a 
Composer:  Miklós Rózsa
Performer:  Gilad Karni
Conductor:  Mariusz Smolij
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Budapest Concert Orchestra

Number of Discs: 1 
Recorded in: Stereo 
Length: 1 Hours 1 Mins. 

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Notes & Reviews   Works on This Recording   Sound Samples   
 Notes & Reviews Back to Top 
Miklós Rózsa's Viola Concerto is a masterpiece, certainly one of the finest solo and orchestra pieces ever conceived for the instrument. Written in four ample movements, richly orchestrated (as you might expect) and just as rich in contrast and tuneful appeal, it's also impressive for Rózsa's sure handling of form in the large (14-minute) initial Moderato assai. Aside from a touch of shaky ensemble in the middle of the finale, the performance here is excellent, with Gilad Karni a splendidly warm and full-throated soloist. He's all the more impressive for being somewhat dryly recorded, but this isn't a serious issue. The Viola Concerto has been recorded previously, most notably for Koch, but this version is every bit as good.

The Hungarian Serenade is a charmer in the form of five "character pieces"--a march, serenata, scherzo, notturno, and final danza. Rózsa never really needed the moniker "Hungarian", since all of his music sounds recognizably ethnic, even his score to Ben Hur. Once again the performance is lovely, relaxed but never rhythmically slack--just allowing us time to savor the work's spicy harmonies and vivid instrumental color. An easy recommendation, this, and a welcome boost to the growing recognition that Rózsa's concert music surely deserves.

--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com

 Works on This Recording Back to Top 
1.  Concerto for Viola, Op. 37 by Miklós Rózsa
Performer:  Gilad Karni (Viola)
Conductor:  Mariusz Smolij
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Budapest Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1979; USA 
2.  Hungarian Serenade, Op. 25 by Miklós Rózsa
Conductor:  Mariusz Smolij
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Budapest Concert Orchestra
Period: 20th Century 
 Sound Samples Back to Top 
Viola Concerto, Op. 37
I. Moderato assai
Viola Concerto, Op. 37
II. Allegro giocoso
Viola Concerto, Op. 37
III. Adagio
Viola Concerto, Op. 37
IV. Allegro con spirito
Hungarian Serenade, Op. 25
I. Marcia
Hungarian Serenade, Op. 25
II. Serenata
Hungarian Serenade, Op. 25
III. Scherzo
Hungarian Serenade, Op. 25
IV. Notturno
Hungarian Serenade, Op. 25
V. Danza
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