Marius Constant: Orchestral Works
Marius Constant (1925-2004) was born in Romania and began formal music education at the Royal Bucharest Conservatory at the age of 11, also being enrolled in the Lycée Français: he later moved to France where he developed his remarkable career. Best known in musical circles for his ballets, and by the general public for the Twilight Zone theme, he is truly one of the 20th century’s most gifted and inspired composers, and one of the most cruelly overlooked. His orchestral works here are inspired by nature and art and encompass beauty and emotional power in a unique contemporary style.
The Riverside Symphony was founded in 1981 and comprises many of the best of New York’s finest musicians. Acclaimed for its devoted championing of unfamiliar and new works, its annual concert series at Lincoln Center have brought much praise for their innovative programming. Olivier Charlier, soloist in 103 Regards dans l’eau, has been recognised internationally for his superlative playing; he has played with over 50 French orchestras as well as orchestras from around the world.
This album was originally released by Riverside in 2014 but in the USA only. It includes a video with archival clips of the composer and discussions with the orchestra directors (formatted for computer playback).
Track Listing
- Marius Constant (1925-2004):
- Turner - I. Pluie, vapeur et vitesse (4:49)
- Turner - II. Autoportrait (2:53)
- Turner - III. Windsor (5:03)
- Brevissima - I. Adagio - Allegro (2:57)
- Brevissima - II. Scherzo (1:36)
- Brevissima - III. Largo (2:03)
- Brevissima - IV. Passacaglia funèbre (3:35)
- 103 Regards dans l'eau - I. Lent (9:31)
- 103 Regards dans l'eau - II. Agité (6:45)
- 103 Regards dans l'eau - III. Vif (4:41)
- 103 Regards dans l'eau - IV. Lent (9:43)
Reviews
“FIVE STARS:
” —Jeremie Bigorie
We enthusiastically welcome this new release. Three refined scores… Constant has a lyricism very much of his own. Riverside Symphony is diligently conducted by George Rothman.
“A remarkable voice in 20th century music. Fascinating repertoire… some breathtakingly beautiful passages and sonorities. Superbly performed and recorded, this is a gem of a disc. RECOMMENDED.
” —Dominy Clements
“The compositions of Marius Constant breathed a breath of poetry and freedom in the rather dry universe of the avant-garde at the turn of the 1960s. [Turner is] a masterpiece … absolute perfection of the Riverside Symphony… ideal performance of Olivier Charlier.
” —Gérard Condé
“Highly eclectic modernist, tonally sophisticated language… the orchestral sonorities are a highlight. New York’s Riverside Symphony play these works stunningly. The musical standards are matched by the sound quality, which is first rate.
” —Phillip Scott
“The works on this disc are really and truly outstanding. The music [is] gripping and moving, as are the performances of it. This is a desert-island disc.
” —Lynn René Bayley
“Textures and harmonies are often beautiful, mysterious, and atmospheric [with] ever-changing density and degrees of light and shade. This release deserves your support and, more to the point, will reward your time and attention. Sonically excellent, marvelous music. The performances here are excellent… superb work.
” —David Hurwitz
“Constant was a skilled composer who handled orchestration with considerable ability… a fine command of orchestral forces… in a style mixing the impressionistic with the suitably magisterial.
” —Mark J. Estren
“The recording is exemplary and reliably communicates the score’s tensile strength and its exploration of the extremes of dynamic. These three orchestral pieces occupy a flighty avant-garde niche. Messiaen’s influence can be heard, from time to time, affluent in atmospheric effects. There are also some very frank echoes of the orchestral Debussy. Lyrical impulse given treasured expression amongst the thorny conflicts.
” —Rob Barnett
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