Hans GÁL: Music for Viola, Volume One
Hans Gál (1890–1987) wrote extensively for the viola, including several remarkable works dating from the first decade of his new life in Edinburgh, where he took refuge after the Nazis seized power in his native Austria. His poignant Suite Concertante for viola and orchestra – effectively a concerto for the instrument – is joined here by three substantial chamber works, all infused with Gál’s trademark lyricism.
Hanna Pakkala, viola
Reijo Tunkkari, violin (Tracks 5-8, 12-15)
Irina Zahharenkova, piano (Tracks 9–11)
Takuya Takashima, oboe (Tracks 12–15)
Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra (Tracks 1–4)
Sakari Oramo, conductor (Tracks 1–4)
Listen To This Recording:
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Suite Concertante for Viola and Orchestra, Op. 102a (1949)*
- I Cantabile
- II Furioso
- Suite Concertante for viola and orchestra Op.102a:III Con grazia
- IV Burla
- I Meditazione
- II Folletti
- III Figurina
- IV Burletta
- I Adagio
- II Quasi menuetto tranquillo
- III Allegro risoluto e vivace
- I Pastorale
- II Intermezzo grazioso
- III Intermezzo agitato
- IV Meditation on a Scottish Tune
Divertimento for Violin and Viola, Op. 90, No. 3 (1969)
Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 101 (1942)
Trio for Oboe, Violin and Viola, Op. 94 (1941)*
* FIRST RECORDINGS
MusicWeb International :
’81 minutes of music – four substantial and neatly varied pieces each of around twenty minutes duration constitute this excellent issue. It makes for a good lockdown evening concert – during the interval be sure to raise your glass of whatever to this fine composer whose time has surely arrived. Performances are uniformly expert and often invigorating; Toccata’s documentation and sonics want for nothing.’
—Richard Hanlon, MusicWeb International