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Grieg: Complete Symphonic Works Vol 1 / Aadland, WDR SO Koln

Grieg / Aadland / Wdr Sinfonieorchester Koeln
Release Date: 06/28/2011 
Label:  Audite   Catalog #: 92651   Spars Code: DDD 
Composer:  Edvard Grieg
Conductor:  Eivind Aadland
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Cologne West German Radio Symphony Orchestra
Number of Discs: 1 
Recorded in: Multi 
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Notes and Editorial Reviews



GRIEG Symphonic Dances. Peer Gynt Suites Nos. 1, 2. Funeral March • Eivind Aadland, cond.; WDR SO Cologne • AUDITE 92.651 (SACD: 73:22)


The wonderful regional orchestras of Germany, from Bavaria, Dresden, and in the present case Cologne, broadcast a richness and intensity of expression that is sometimes skirted by the slicker high-voltage bands in Berlin, Vienna, and London. You can certainly hear it here, in these passionate and gutsy Read more performances. It helps that the Cologne forces are led by the charismatic young Norwegian conductor Eivind Aadland, who was a violinist, and one of the last student of Menuhin, before turning his attention to the podium.


This is Volume 1 of Audite’s projected set of five CDs of the complete orchestral music of Grieg, with these same forces, all derived from live broadcasts. I can’t say that there are any revelations in these readings, but they are immensely enjoyable, and the recorded sound is excellent, full-bodied, very even across the frequency spectrum, and very natural. The many solo appearances in the scores allow for demonstrations of the depth of the orchestra’s musicianship in a vivid way. The only times the performances seem lacking vis-à-vis the big boys is in the most virtuosic passages, most notably in the crescendo and accelerando of “Hall of the Mountain King,” but even here I prefer the earthiness of this reading to the slickness of Karajan, Ormandy, et al. This is my new go-to album for these sturdy warhorses.


FANFARE: Peter Burwasser
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Works on This Recording

1.
Symphonic Dances (4), Op. 64 by Edvard Grieg
Conductor:  Eivind Aadland
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Cologne West German Radio Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1896-1897; Norway 
2.
Peer Gynt Suite no 1, Op. 46 by Edvard Grieg
Conductor:  Eivind Aadland
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Cologne West German Radio Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1875/1888; Norway 
3.
Peer Gynt Suite no 2, Op. 55 by Edvard Grieg
Conductor:  Eivind Aadland
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Cologne West German Radio Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1875/1892; Norway 
4.
Funeral March in Memory of Richard Nordraak, EG 107 by Edvard Grieg
Conductor:  Eivind Aadland
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Cologne West German Radio Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: Norway 

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review:  ( 2 Customer Reviews )
 A Great Series January 24, 2014 By James C. (Baton Rouge, LA) See All My Reviews "Collect each release in this series and you'll understand why Grieg was so beloved in his time and respected by other musicians then and since. Superb performances in superb sound - without much competition in most of the repertoire presented." Report Abuse
 Outstanding Performance August 21, 2012 By Richard H. (Glendale, AZ) See All My Reviews "These are very familiar works that anyone who has watched "LooneyTunes" has heard many times. Peer is probably the most borrowed piece of music ever written. This is an excellent performance by Aadland and co. Maybe even the best I've heard which is no small statement when you consider how many I have heard. Heartily recommend this recording to anyone who likes Peer Gynt." Report Abuse
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