Enescu: Orchestral Bits 'n Bobs

 

Study Symphony 4 in E-flat Major

If I was enthusiastic regarding Romanian composer George Enescu's 'Study' Symphony no. 1, I continue to be impressed with his 'Study' Symphony no. 4 in E-flat Major. This, considering I didn't much care for the composer's mature symphonies. As far as I know, no one has recorded Nos. 3 & 4 as of yet.

While Enescu took Brahms as an influence in the First 'Study' Symphony, in the Fourth 'Study' Symphony we are in the world of Richard Wagner. Those who regularly read this blog will know I am smitten with the entire first movement, a portion which essentially seems a concertante piece for French Horn. Enescu's themes are easy to follow and winning, while his structures are Classically bound.

It is in the second and third movements where I hear more of Wagner, especially in the rising use of descending chromaticisms and in the woodsy writing for orchestra. The third movement, at over 18 minutes, is plainly too long, even if Enescu tries to bandy between a Scherzo and a soulful finale. Better if he had just separated them in twain.

And yet, I hear echoes of contrapuntal orchestral voices much in the vein of Saint-Saëns' Third Symphony. Enescu obviously had some love of the older French composer, even if the younger composer eventually moved away from musical traditionalisms. The addition of piano in the last movement adds some textural variety, well appreciated by that time.

I remain delighted with the Romanian National Radio Orchestra under Horia Andreescu. The mid-90s Olympia sonics are good, and the players are obviously invested in this rare music from their fellow countryman. The ensemble is not ragged or under-rehearsed, yet give the music plenty of love and energy throughout. Truthfully, I wonder if they would present mature Enescu in a better light than what I know.

Orchestral Suite 2 in C Major

Like his First Orchestral Suite, Enescu sets the movements of the Second as Baroque dances. No, no one is ever going to confuse Enescu's writing as a throwback to older times, for the composer writes in his own Romantic idiom.

Also akin to the First Suite, the Second Suite is too long for its content, even if none of the six movements are particularly long. Only the last one at eight-plus minutes seems to drag on. However, Enescu's upbeat main theme is a solid one, intermingled by endless less captivating contrasting sections. Again, the inclusion of a piano is a fun texture at the end, although it is caught much too forwardly by the engineering team.

If I thought Lawrence Foster underplayed Orchestral Suite no. 1, I don't feel the same here. The Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra plays the Orchestral Suite no. 2 with life, although they are not as put together as the Romanian band mentioned above.

Bits 'n Bobs

Study Symphony 4 in E-flat Major
  Romanian National Radio Orchestra
  Horia Andreescu, conductor
  Olympia; 1994

Orchestral Suite 2 in C Major, op. 20
  Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra
  Lawrence Foster, conductor
  Erato; 1984

Find more Enescu recordings HERE!