Those who perceive Ernö Dohnanyi’s chamber works as skillfully crafted Brahms knock-offs are certain to change their tune after hearing this disc. The three-movement Harp Concertino shimmers with harmonic surprises, not to mention gorgeous, curving woodwind melodies that gently orbit around the harp’s constantly inventive figurations. While the music often sounds lush and robust, the actual orchestral textures are so transparent and clear that you could take dictation from them. Well, at least you could from this astonishingly vivid recording, which seems to place the listener in the middle of the orchestra (side-saddle with the delectable harp soloist Sara Cutler), thereby allowing you to savor the details as you relish fresh gossip. I’d go so far as to say that this is conductor Leon Botstein’s finest recording of orchestral repertoire yet, and I recommend it over Chandos’ less alluringly engineered version.
By contrast, the Sextet’s smaller forces often swell up to symphonic dimensions, progressing from the first movement’s grandiose game plan to the riotous finale that pits feisty Hungarian rumbas (with a little help from Gershwin) against slurpy Viennese waltzes. The score’s virtuosic solo turns and tricky ensemble interplay pose no problems at all for Bridge’s stellar sextet that features some of New York’s best freelancers. They prove formidable competition for both the Spectrum Concerts Berlin musicians on Naxos and the Endymion Ensemble on ASV. I still lean toward the sharper characterization and rhythmic swing that distinguish a 1976 Hungaroton recording with pianist Ernö Szegedi and members of the Tátrai Quartet, and I also hope that Decca will reissue the András Schiff/Radovan Vlatkovic/Takács Quartet traversal. Lastly, the complex and bittersweet Six Pieces Op. 41 come to life through Todd Crow’s sensitive and intelligently phrased performances (when will Bridge release this underrated pianist’s sensational Berlioz/Liszt Symphonie fantastique?). Recommended, especially for the Concertino. [3/31/2005]
