COMPOSERS: LisztChizhikVustinKancehliBakshiPelecisDunayevsky
LABELS: DG
ALBUM TITLE: Kremerland
WORKS: Dante Sonata
PERFORMER: Kremerata BalticaGidon Kremer
CATALOGUE NO: 474 8012
Judging by the extraordinary
contents of this CD, Kremerland is
certainly a country that inquisitive
travellers should consider visiting.
The musical terrain is full of
unexpected delights and points of
interest, with surprises guaranteed at
almost every juncture. Prospective
tourists should not be daunted by the
first item that they may encounter on
their journey, for although in many
people’s minds Liszt’s Dante Sonata
could not have been conceived for
any other instrument than the piano,
Sergei Dreznin’s recasting of the
work as a concerto for solo violin and
string orchestra is simply inspired,
the performance and exemplary
recording serving to intensify the
music’s dare-devil virtuosity and
harmonic complexity.
There’s no time to draw breath
after the Liszt before you are taken
on a rollercoaster ride where Mozart
joins forces with Brazilian samba
and classic Jazz (Chizhik) and
familiar dance rhythms of tango and
ragtime are subjected to startling
transformations (Vustin and
Kancheli). Then, there’s a moment
of frustration as you try to make a
connection for your mobile phone
(Bakshi) before you take refuge in
a visit round the capital city with
a friend (Pel?csis). The final riproaring
treat is a visit to the circus
(Dunayevsky) which allows you the
welcome opportunity to let your hair
down before you have to travel back
home. Erik Levi
