Pianistimo's "Kimmel Center"

[cmg]

It's not often that a recording of standard repertoire makes me sit up and hoot and holler, but The Philadelpia Orchestra under Christoph Eschenbach has released a recording on the Ondine label of its inaugural concerts of the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia.  This is now the largest concert hall organ in the US and, as Pianistimo has mentioned, it's a beauty!

The program on this live recording disc, with the incredible organist Olivier Latry of the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, is Barber's "Toccata Festiva," Poulenc's "Organ Concerto," and Saint-Saens "Symphony No. 3."  This SACD is of demonstration quality, but that's only the half of it.  I've never heard better performances of these great pieces anywhere.

The Barber has few recordings (I only know of two myself) but this performance is a benchmark.  A terrific piece that deserves more performances.

The Poulenc -- and he's one of P's favorite composers -- is particularly spectacular.  Personally, I think it's one of the truly great works of the last century and this performance proves it.  Olivier Latry's partnership with the orchestra is astonishing.  Beautiful give and take.  As expressive as anyone could wish.  Very, very moving. 

The Saint-Saens is staggering!  Eschenbach brings a Mahlerian sensibility to this piece, especially the second movement, that heightens the beauty of the themes (French, in the best sense of the word) with some real German, gut-wrenching depth of expression.  Never heard anything like it in my life.  The Scherzo flies at a breakneck speed, totally under control with not one expressive moment glossed over because of the quick tempo.  The last movement is so thrilling, the audience is screaming before the majestic coda ends.

I highly recommend this recording and owe thanks to Pianistimo for alerting me to this new and great cultural resource here in the US . . . and right in her own backyard.

Pianistimo, make sure you get those Mahler Eighth tickets before they sell out!!  I'm going to try to get two myself today.  See you at the Kimmel Center.

(Editor's Note:  this mini-review is brought to all of you by those of us who would like to see some peace restored to this Forum.  Thank you for your patronage!)

(Addendum to Editor's Note:  interestingly for the "City of Brotherly Love," all composers featured on this recording are gay.  Sorry, couldn't resist it.      

[pianistimo]

agreed, of course!  the center itself is quite beautiful too.  must go buy those mahler eighth tickets asap.

can i make a new advertisement for west chester university as well?  all new music building (shaped like a grand piano).  julliard trained faculty - and yet the tuition is good comparatively to those prestigious places (although aren't julliard students now funded by grants or something?)  and, it is an all-steinway school.  that means steinways in every practice room.  amazing, huh!  oh.  i forgot to say - they have a really amazing organ teacher there, too!  should have taken a few lessons. 

another location in philly that you have to see is 'longwood gardens.'  it is the ideal idyllic location for some recitals - for those that want to perform.  all you have to do is get yourself booked.

cmg, i was correct after all about the 'messiah' being performed by ursinus college, too, soon.  the concert last december was cancelled due to some structural work going on at the college - and now, the organ and the choir are massively coming together.  have to look up the dates.  if you met me at that concert - i might have a chance to meet you in person.  they have a really great organ, too (and world class organist).  susan

ps i found out that it is tommorrow night (April 14).  this might be too short of notice - but if you want to go - i'll buy ticket/s for you, too.  this is for handel's messiah.  john french conducting the ursinus college choir.  it's in the bomberger auditorium at 7:30 pm. and, will be $15. tickets.  i'm not sure if they are sold at the door - so i might try to go get some today.  if you want to go - reply to this message asap. 

[cmg]

P, check your PM box.  And thanks!