Zádor: Children's Symphony & Five Contrasts

 

For many listeners, this recording was an introduction to the orchestral music of Hungarian composer Eugene Zádor. It was the first volume of his music, in what is now a series of eight on Naxos, at least at the date of this blog post.

Don't let the place of Zádor's birth lead you to believe he was a Nationalist composer, though. Listening to these performances, his music is more Americana than it is exotically Hungarian sounding. After all, he was an emigrée to the US during WWII working in Hollywood to support his composing career.

Even the the Hungarian Capriccio and Csárdás Rhapsody, which evoke the dance and musical styles of his homeland, are equally straight-up orchestral showpieces as well as nods to his native country. Both are rather fun, though, and would have a strong place in any orchestral Pops Concert.

So too,  Zádor's Children's Symphony is of a populous nature, devised to draw the young'uns to the concert hall, with no lack of wit, particularly in The Farm portion. In each of these cases, the composer's music is highly entertaining, yet technically sound as well. Never does Zádor cater to the lowest common denominator, offering orchestral textures and instrumental colors of a high caliber. In many cases, he makes curious choices to set his music decidedly apart as his own creations.

The Five Contrasts could just as easily have been titled an 'Orchestral Suite' or 'Concerto for Orchestra'. Here, Zádor melds the light and the serious together, providing five contrasting orchestral settings containing a wide variety of sounds. The opening movement is nigh-upon frightening in its portrayal, although any use of dissonance is extremely light, yet its use here firmly identifies Zádor as a true 20th-Century composer. The inclusion of piano, accordion, and an array of percussion adds to the sheer variety on tap for the listener.

The opening Aria and Allegro is perhaps the most serious piece on the program, but even it is an orchestral spectacle, full of big tunes and easily pleasing to a wide audience, yet with plenty of harmonic and textural twists and turns.

The Naxos sound does the strings and woodwinds good service, but somehow the brass makes the acoustic sound rather dry, especially when highlighted amongst the ensemble. A curious contrast.

Kudos to Mariusz Smolij and the Budapest Symphony Orchestra MÁV for bringing all of Zádor's music to the public consciousness. Programs of Zádor on Naxos should be easily digestible, yet provide enough invention to please devoted Classical Music listeners.

 

 

 

Works
Five Contrasts (27.31)
Children's Symphony (21.21)
Hungarian Capriccio (9.41)
Csárdás Rhapsody (9.20)
Aria and Allegro (10.35)


Ensemble
Budapest Symphony Orchestra MÁV

Mariusz Smolij, conductor 

Label: Naxos
Year: 2012
Total Timing: 66.49

 

 

 

 

Essential? No.

Worthwhile? Yes.

Some might abjure to the term fun, but that is simply the musical quality Zádor creates for this listener.

At least try a volume of his music to see if it is for you. This first volume should give you a strong taste of the musical variety he offers.

Find more Zádor recordings HERE!