Kempe Conducts Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Janácek

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64
Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
Performed by London Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

2. Rhapsodie for clarinet & piano (or orchestra), L. 116
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by London Symphony Orchestra with Gervase de Peyer
Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

3. Sinfonietta for orchestra ("Military," "Sokol Festival"), JW 6/18
Composed by Leos Janacek
Performed by BBC Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Rudolf Kempe

Kempe Conducts Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Janácek, Music, Gervase de Peyer, Claude Debussy, Leos Janacek, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Rudolf Kempe, BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Chamber, Clarinet Solo/Sonata, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Orchestral, Orchestral & Symphonic, Romantic Symphony, Sinfonietta, Symphonic
Kempe Conducts Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Janácek
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great performances by a forgotten master
  • A most convincing reminder of Rudolf Kempeýs genius
 Kempe Conducts Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Janácek

Manufacturer: BBC Legends
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Janácek, LeosJanácek, Leos | ( J ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by TchaikovskyAll Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by DebussyAll Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
RomanticRomantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
SinfoniaSinfonia | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
ClarinetClarinet | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005Y339
Release Date: 2002-03-12

Tracks:

  1. Symphony No.5 In E Minor, Op.64: I. Andante - Allegro Con Anima - London Symphony Orchestra
  2. Symphony No.5 In E Minor, Op.64: II. Andante Cantabile, Con Alcuna Licenza - London Symphony Orchestra
  3. Symphony No.5 In E Minor, Op.64: III. Valse. Allegro Moderato - London Symphony Orchestra
  4. Symphony No.5 In E Minor, Op.64: IV. Finale. Andante Maestoso - Allegro Vivace - London Symphony Orchestra
  5. Rhapsody No.1 For Clarinet And Orchestra - Gervase De Peyer
  6. Sinfonietta: I. Fanfares. Allegretto - Allegro - Maestoso - BBC Symphony Orchestra
  7. Sinfonietta: II. Andante - Allegretto - Maestoso - BBC Symphony Orchestra
  8. Sinfonietta: III. Moderato - BBC Symphony Orchestra
  9. Sinfonietta: IV. Allegretto - BBC Symphony Orchestra
  10. Sinfonietta: V. Andante Con Moto - Maestoso - BBC Symphony Orchestra

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Great performances by a forgotten master.......2005-01-01

I always loved Rudolf Kempe's work while he was alive and was thrilled when he was named the new music director of the BBC Symphony, replacing Pierre Boulez, in 1974; but by the time he took over, he only conducted three public concerts before he died, shockingly, of a heart attack at the relatively young age of 67.

This CD is a superb example of why Kempe was so highly prized. If he did not match the passion of Furtwangler, Toscanini, early Walter, Karajan or either of the Kleibers, he certainly did conduct in a passionate yet unsentimental manner, and with a remarkable sense of orchestral clarity, reminiscent of Toscanini at his best. Indeed, I always felt that Kempe's very best recordings gave us a sound that would have been much like Toscanini's if the Italian had recorded in stereo.

Kempe's Tchaikovsky 5th is lyrical but not sentimental. He moves the work forward in each of the four movements with the assurance of a master, and the London orchestra responds with some absolutely rapturous playing. By symphony's end, any sensitive listener would be cheering along with the audience!

The Debussy is likewise beautifully transparent, and the cool, liquid tone of clarinetist Gervase de Peyer is perfect for this music. My only quibble was with the Janacek: excitingly played, but so what?? I have never found Janacek's music to be anything but ugly and pointless, and feel the same way even after hearing Kempe conduct it!

5 out of 5 stars A most convincing reminder of Rudolf Kempeýs genius.......2003-11-07

This disc presents a superbly varied programme taken from two different Proms concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London (1964 and 1974). If anything, it is a most convincing reminder of Rudolf Kempe's (1910-1976) genius as a conductor. Not that well-known to the general public, Kempe's recorded legacy has nonetheless proven of the highest order and this CD in the BBC Legends series is no exception.
Kempe's overall view and the way he moulds the two larger works, Janacek's "Sinfonietta" and especially Tchaikovsky's 5th, is quite simply outstanding. Both works are conducted to riveting finales, receiving a wild ovation from the audience.
The recording of the "Sinfonietta" is somewhat let down by a BBC Symphony Orchestra at times struggling with the score, yet the London Symphony Orchestra totally lives up to its reputation in the Tchaikovsky as one of the greatest formations around in those days. The Debussy "Rhapsody" is given as a delightful intermezzo, highlighting Gervase de Peyer as soloist.
Maybe not a first choice for anyone who still has to discover these works, but with excellent sound quality overall this CD is an ideal introduction to Rudolf Kempe's art.

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