These three works for violin and orchestra clearly demonstrate both the richness and diversity of styles among American composers, and Gidon Kremer’s advocacy of the music of our time. With its intense lyricism, fascinating colors, and restless rhythmic drive, Philip Glass’ 1987 Violin Concerto is arguably one of his best works. Strangely enough for a composer who dedicated so much attention to theater, this is absolute music of the most expressive kind. Kremer and his prestigious partners play with total commitment, but their fine performance is not quite as incandescent as Robert McDuffie’s recording with the Houston Symphony under Eschenbach. Both the Ned Rorem Concerto and Bernstein Serenade rely on descriptive programs. The former takes the listener through a richly articulated, eventful journey from twilight to dawn, while the latter evokes the different characters of Plato’s Symposium in a highly colored neo-classical idiom. Thanks to Bernstein’s explosive conducting, both works sound gripping and convincing in these live performances. Kremer plays with his usual virtuosity, despite a grainy tone that some listeners will find unpleasant. The difference of recording sources and venues is not a problem, as Deutsche Grammophon’s engineers manage to provide detailed and homogeneous sound for all three works. These reissues are warmly welcomed. [11/4/1999]
