The Mennonite Piano Concerto
London Symphony Orchestra, Boris Brott (cond.)
WLCD 5995
$20.00
The Mennonite Piano Concerto
(Piano Concerto No. 1) [35:47]
Irmgard Baerg (piano)
| "The
four movements of the Good Times Suite also emphasises Davies'
smiling conviction that life is beautiful. In this day and age
that's rare. Performances are first rate, filled with vim and
the recording very good." (Henwell Tircuit, Fanfare Magazine) |
Good Times (Suite for orchestra) [23:30]
Ashely Arbuckle (violin), Alex Taylor (viola),
Douglas Cummings (cello), Bruce Mollison (bass)
TT: [59:31]
The Mennonite Piano Concerto was commissioned in 1975 by the Fast Foundation to mark the 450th anniversary of the founding of the Mennonite faith. In this work, Davies has utilized a number of hymns drawn from the Mennonite "Kernlieder", a body of sacred songs adopted by the Mennonites from Lutheran chorales, English hymns and American gospel songs in German translations.
| [The
CD is] ... "a thoroughly extroverted display vehicle for
pianist Irmgard Baerg and the London Symphony Orchestra under
Boris Brott, who together make the most of the work's predominantly
exuberant high spirits. The Davies concerto has already achieved
a certain popularity, through its easy accessibility, its wide
range of musical styles and its flashy piano writing." (Barry Edwards, Music Magazine) |
Good Times was commissioned in 1979 by the Manitoba Educational Ensemble, a chamber orchestra presenting community concerts throughout Manitoba. Davies writes: "The title comes from that familiar line in rural newspapers about a social event - 'A good times was had by all.' . . .The music plays faster and faster until there are no dancers left on the floor, but hopefully, a 'good time' is had by all - the dancers, musicians and the audience."