{"product_id":"weber-c-m-von-overtures","title":"Weber, C.M. Von: Overtures","description":"\u003cb\u003eDelicate contrasts of mood and bright clear recording.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e Of particular interest in this collection of Weber’s uplifting overtures are those from \u003ci\u003e Der Beherrscher der Geister\u003c\/i\u003e,  \u003ci\u003eTurandot\u003c\/i\u003e,  \u003ci\u003eJubel\u003c\/i\u003e and  \u003ci\u003eSilvana\u003c\/i\u003e.  \u003ci\u003eDer Freischütz\u003c\/i\u003e,  \u003ci\u003eEuryanthe\u003c\/i\u003e and  \u003ci\u003eOberon \u003c\/i\u003eneed little introduction. \u003cbr\u003e    \u003cbr\u003e Those overtures from the forgotten Weber operas have shed their obscurity in the opera house for favourite status in the concert hall. Following Beethoven and Mozart, Weber’s works for the stage were considered fresh, and seen to carry a blend of strong orchestral craftsmanship, coupled with inspired lyricism and this is evident from the overtures. \u003cbr\u003e   \u003cbr\u003e In the various recordings of popular Weber overtures one is often aware of the presence of either a ‘robustly mechanical’ or ‘sensitive’ reading. Here, the New Zealand orchestra under Wit engage in delicate contrasts of mood coupled with a bright and clear recording. This puts them in the same league as some of the more prestigious recordings. \u003cbr\u003e   \u003cbr\u003e This is the first time I have heard  \u003ci\u003eAbu Hassan\u003c\/i\u003e played with such vitality and speed. This approach certainly adds spice to Weber’s bustling score. The warm wind section in a fine acoustic - against subtly balanced shimmering strings - provides real appeal in their rendering of  \u003ci\u003eDer Freischütz\u003c\/i\u003e. The  \u003ci\u003eTurandot\u003c\/i\u003e music was completely unknown to me. Its simple pipe opening comes across as particularly British yet it was written for Stuttgart in 1809. I find from the notes that the ‘folk music’ opening was Weber’s interpretation of the Chinese idiom! \u003cbr\u003e   \u003cbr\u003e The elegance of  \u003ci\u003ePreciosa\u003c\/i\u003e is charming with contrast provided by the sedate introduction and the energetically dynamic central section with crisply defined first violins. \u003cbr\u003e   \u003cbr\u003e One may be surprised that the  \u003ci\u003eJubel \u003c\/i\u003eOverture ends with the British National Anthem. This work however was composed after the Battle of Waterloo and celebrated the 50 \u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e anniversary of the then King’s accession. Its majestic opening gives the necessary pomp and splendour. \u003cbr\u003e   \u003cbr\u003e Antoni Wit is an accomplished conductor who studied in Krakôw and works with the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra and with Polish Television and Radio. We remember his excellent interpretation of the Prokofiev piano concertos and later of the Messiaen  \u003ci\u003eTurangalila\u003c\/i\u003e symphony in 2002. \u003cbr\u003e   \u003cbr\u003e The notes in English are fairly generous and give more than adequate background to the overtures. \u003cbr\u003e   \u003cbr\u003e  --Raymond J Walker, MusicWeb Intenational \u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Naxos","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":49705641279768,"sku":"747313029679","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0687\/4346\/3192\/files\/1450879.jpg?v=1777576320","url":"https:\/\/hbdirect.com\/products\/weber-c-m-von-overtures","provider":"HBDirect","version":"1.0","type":"link"}