Rosner was fascinated with Medieval and Renaissance music and often used pre-Baroque voice-leading and modal harmonies in his work.
The 1978 Nocture is one such example. Inspired by the cosmos, Rosner creates a dark, unsettling soundscape. Big, expansive chords punctuate the work, suggesting the vastness space.
Tempus Perfectum refers to the work's 9/8 meter. In the Middle Ages, three was the perfect number (representing the Trinity). So having three beats per measure, each subdivided into thirds was the perfect tempo.
Rosner's Tempus Perfectum uses that meter as the basis for a Neo-Renaissance canzona. It does Resphigi's "Ancient Aires" one better, as Rosner's material is completely original and conceived for the instruments that play it.
In the liner notes, Walter Simmons writes that the 1976 Symphony No. 6 contains "the most ferocious and explosive music Rosner ever composed." I agree.
This turbulent three-movement work is generated from a small set of motifs. Rosner continually revisits and transforms them throughout the work with increasing urgency. They give the entire 38-minute symphony a tight-knit cohesion that works -- and works well.
Rosner's Sixth Symphony has a terrifying strength to it. But it's one that's greatly dependent on the performance. This performance is first-rate. And I was completely engaged from start to finish. Nick Palmer and the London Philharmonic Orchestra has the power -- and the musicianship -- to deliver the drama and majesty of this work.
Will there be a volume four? I hope so.
Arnold Rosner: Orchestral Music, Volume Three
Nocturne, Op. 68; Tempus Perfectum: A Concert Overture, Op. 109; Symphony No. 6, Op. 64
London Philharmonic Orchestra; Nick Palmer, conductor
Toccata Classics TOCC 0469
As the producer of the Rosner disc on which you commented, I am pleased by your heartily favorable reaction. However, I must correct one error. There was never a prior performance of this work by anyone anywhere. There weren't even any performance materials for it until we scheduled this recording. I believe that you heard a community orchestra live-performance tape of the 5th Symphony, which was premiered in Colorado during the mid 1970s. And you may be pleased to know that there is more Rosner on the way.
ReplyDeleteWalter Simmons
That was probably the recording I heard. I couldn't find the cassette before I wrote the review, but as I recall it only had the composer and the works written on it. live-performance tape I heard. When I worked at Nimbus Records I was in conversation with Mr. Rosner. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the powers-that-be interested. I'll revise that paragraph. Thank you for the additional information -- and your dedication to this project.
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