Mischa Spoliansky: Orchestral Music
The Russian-born Mischa Spoliansky (1898—1985) became one of the major names in cabaret in 1920s Berlin and then, as a refugee from Nazi Germany, in London, he became one of the best-known composers of film scores. He also wrote a handful of orchestral works, which have remained unknown until now. His Boogie is a witty, tongue-in-cheek piece of orchestral jazz, and the Overture to My Husband and I, one of his stage shows, has a Mozartian sparkle and wit. But it is his only Symphony, an epic statement composed over a period of nearly three decades, that constitutes his real achievement as an orchestral composer – the fourth of its five movements apparently offering Spoliansky’s own musical commentary on the Holocaust.
Liepāja Symphony Orchestra
Paul Mann, conductor
Listen To This Recording:
- Overture: Allegro furioso
- Maestoso – Allegro con brio (Quasi boogie-woogie)
- I And thus was man created: Monumentale
- II Ode to Love: Animato
- III Humoresque: Of Laughter: Rubato
- IV Of Weeping (Lament): Pesante
- V And new life blooms from the ruins (Epilogue): Andante con passione
My Husband and I: Overture (1967)
Boogie (1958)
Symphony in Five Movements (c. 1941–69)
FIRST RECORDINGS
MusicWeb International :
‘Toccata Classics have turned to the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra from Latvia, [They are} technically adept, musically sensitive and responsive. They are fully up to the actual – considerable – playing demands of these scores.[…] This is in no doubt due to the insights and understanding of conductor Paul Mann. Even with no comparisons available, it is clear that Mann has immersed himself in these works and all three pieces sound ‘right’. […]
Toccata Classics has a proud history of bringing impressive and worthwhile music to the attention of the listening public. Hard not to consider this release one of their greatest triumphs to date.’
—Nick Barnard, MusicWeb International
Classical Lost and Found :
‘Consequently, we owe a debt of thanks to Maestro Mann and the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra (aka The Amber Sound Orchestra) for these superb, ground breaking performances. […]
[These recordings] project a generous sonic image in ideal surroundings with the composer’s brilliant scoring well captured thanks to some skillful microphone placement and highlighting.
The instrumental timbre is characterized by lifelike highs, a rich midrange and very clean bass that will test the limits of your audio equipment. Moreover, the sound is as good it gets on conventional symphonic discs, thereby earning this one an “Audiophile” rating.’
—Bob McQuiston, Classical Lost and Found
The New Listener :
‘The five movements of the symphony each have a title with presumably biographical reference. Number four is called “Of Weeping”. The sweeping lament reflects the Shoah, the German national anthem in minor hidden in it may be an expression of grief over the lost homeland. The conductor Paul Mann is to be thanked for the fact that this monumental, almost one-hour work can now be heard on CD for the first time.’
—Karin Coper, The New Listener
MusicWeb International :
‘Album of the year 2022
Some readers may recognise Spoliansky’s name as the composer for a host of British films from the 1930s onwards, including Sanders of the River, The Ghost Goes West, King Solomon’s Mines, The Happiest Days of Your Life , Saint Joan and North West Frontier. That he wrote this marvellous symphony during his ‘time off’ is quite something – tuneful, richly orchestrated, cleverly planned and gloriously uplifting, it remains one of the biggest surprises I have come across for a long time. Kudos to my MWI colleague Nick Barnard for bringing it to my attention with his fine review of this release.’
—Lee Denham, MusicWeb International