Mormon Howard Hanson (2021)

Felix Draeseke’s works immediately reveal that he was a glowing admirer of Liszt and Wagner and a remarkably gifted creator of expressive harmonic designs and far-ranging melodic lines. Here Draeseke accomplished the feat of combining these powerful expressive means with classical forms. MDG is now rereleasing Draeseke’s Sinfonia Tragica, Piano Concerto, and Symphony No. 1 in a special edition featuring performances by the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra in the historic Wuppertal Hall. The first release marked a discographic milestone.

These rarely heard works offer listeners an introduction to very different aspects of Respighi's orchestral oeuvre. The mighty "Metamorphoseon", a breathtaking symphonic interpretation of Bach's C minor Passacaglia, a suite on themes by Rossini as well as the world premiere recording of an early burlesque are performed by the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra, conducted by George Hanson.

Dani Howard is a British composer and orchestrator who is fast establishing a reputation across Europe for her music. The Times called her Trombone Concerto ‘An instant classic…lush..rivetting’. She has had major commissions from UK orchestras, including the RLPO, and her works have been performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, CBSO, Hallé, BBC Scottish SO, BBC Philharmonic, BBC Concert Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, NCPA Orchestra of China, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, European Union Chamber Orchestra, NYOGB, RLPO (conducted by Domingo Hindoyan).

Frolic and bassoon is not an overly used collocation, but it is an entirely appropriate one in the case of Paul Hanson, whose playing on the bassoon, surely the blackest sheep of jazz instruments, is exuberant, playful, energetic and joyous, and it has to be said quite breathtaking throughout Frolic in the Land of Plenty. Propelled by drummer Dennis Chambers, (who shares the drum stool with Paul Van Wageningen) "Emerald Mile" shifts through the gears and transports Hanson's bassoon-playing to a place where comparisons with violinist Jerry Goodman are not out of place at all.

The Grammy Award-winning, multiple Emmy Award winning, all-volunteer Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of 360 men and women who join their talents to create their trademark, instantly recognizable sound. They are accompanied by the Orchestra at Temple Square, a 150-member symphony, and the Bells on Temple Square, a 32-member handbell choir that are both likewise all volunteer. Hugh Bonneville is best known to American audiences for his role as Robert, Earl of Grantham, in ITV/PBS Masterpiece's global hit Downton Abbey, for which he received a Golden Globe. His many film credits include Notting Hill, Iris, The Monuments Men, and the two Paddington movies. One of Broadway's most accomplished performers, Sutton Foster has starred in 11 Broadway shows including her Tony-winning roles in Anything Goes and Thoroughly Modern Millie, as well as originating roles in The Drowsy Chaperone, Young Frankenstein, and Shrek the Musical. On TV, Foster stars as Liza in the critically-acclaimed TV Land comedy series Younger, and previously starred in Bunheads.

Ottorino Respighi - Orchestral Works
Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra / George Hanson
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 263 MB | Full Artwork: 78 MB | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: MDG "Gold" # 335 1030-2 | Country/Year: Germany 2001
Genre: Classical | Style: Early 20th Century

"…George Hanson, who is musical director of the Wuppertal Symphony Orchestra (whose history goes back for more than 130 years) conducts these often difficult works well. The recording produces a very natural rounded sound. Overall this is an interesting disc which forms a good introduction to some of Respighi's less familiar orchestral works." ~musicweg-international