To this program’s previous release on Albany containing Symphonies Nos. 5, 7, and 8, First Edition adds a gutsy, very well recorded (in mono) version of the zippy Serenata for Orchestra. Piston fans (and there should be more of them than there are) have no alternative for these three symphonies, and fortunately the performances are all very good ones. Aside from a touch of strain in the violins during the wilder moments of Symphony No. 7’s finale, The Louisville Orchestra plays all of this music with infectious enthusiasm, good rhythm, and all-around solid musicianship under both Robert Whitney and Jorge Mester.
Symphonies Nos. 5 and 7 certainly deserve to be as well known as the more commonly played Nos. 4 and 6. Aside from a being a bit tricky rhythmically in their outer movements, both have three movements and only last about 20 minutes, and so would make terrific concert openers. They are wholly characteristic of Piston’s best work and most listeners would find them immediately appealing. The Eighth Symphony is a tougher nut, its chromatic melodies generating an overall impression of atonality–but this piece also includes some of Piston’s most evocative scoring. Play the nocturnal opening for a musically knowledgeable friend and see if he doesn’t think it some exotic lost work of Szymanowski! The three stereo recordings, which date from 1964-1975, capture the orchestra faithfully, and as with all of the productions from this source feature especially warm and present bass. Welcome back!
