Tertis Viola Ensemble: Concerto • Fantasy • Blues (OC 788 Debut) CD

Product Details

• Product Type: Music CD
• UPC 4260034867888
• Brand Name: Oehms Classics
• MPN (Manufacturer Part Number): OC 788
• Series: OehmsClassics Debut
• Label Code: LC 12424
• Genre: Classical Music, Chamber Music
• Style: Baroque, Romantic, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz/Blues Influences
• Ensemble: Tertis Viola Ensemble
• Format: Physical CD
• Total Time: 50:20

Overview

"Concerto • Fantasy • Blues" is the debut album by the Tertis Viola Ensemble, a remarkable quartet formed by four members of the Munich Philharmonic's viola section. Released on Oehms Classics (OC 788), the disc boldly explores the rich, mellow sonority of the viola in a unique setting.

Named after the legendary British violist, Lionel Tertis, this album presents a highly varied and engaging repertoire, from the Baroque elegance of Telemann to the modern jazz influences of Christopher Norton, and the authentic folk spirit of Béla Bartók. It features a compelling mix of the few original works for four violas, alongside expertly arranged transcriptions that showcase the instrument's versatility across centuries and styles.

Product Features

• Unique Instrumentation: Features a rare and sonorous combination of four violas, offering a distinct and warm chamber music experience.
• Repertoire Diversity: The program spans multiple musical eras and genres, from Baroque concertos and Romantic nocturnes to Argentine tango and modern blues.
• Viola Original Works: Includes two original compositions for this specific lineup: Max von Weinzierl's Nachtstück für 4 Violen and York Bowen's Fantasie Quartet for 4 Violas op. 41.
• Expert Transcriptions: The ensemble performs works not originally written for four violas, such as Telemann's concertos (originally for four violins, played a fifth lower) and Piazzolla's Four for Tango (originally for string quartet).
• Ensemble Pedigree: The ensemble members are drawn from the viola section of the prestigious Munich Philharmonic.

Interesting Facts

• The Tertis Name: The ensemble is named in homage to Lionel Tertis (1876–1975), an English violist widely considered a pioneer who championed the instrument and encouraged major composers like Vaughan Williams and Holst to write works for it.
• Bartók Arrangement: The selection of duos from Béla Bartók's 44 Duos for Two Violins is performed in an arrangement for two violas, specifically carried out by the composer's son, Peter Bartók.
• Composer York Bowen: York Bowen (1884–1961) was an English composer and pianist who wrote extensively for the viola, a testament to the instrument's growing prominence in the early 20th century, which was largely thanks to Tertis.
• Genre-Bending Finale: The album concludes with Christopher Norton's Steering Wheel Blues, showcasing the viola ensemble's versatility by moving into a fun, blues-lite, contemporary style.

Track Listing

1. Georg Philipp Telemann (1681–1767): Concerto for 4 Violas in C majorMax von Weinzierl (1841–1898): [05] Nachtstück für 4 Violen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08:51
   • [01] Largo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02:02
   • [02] Allegro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01:30
   • [03] Grave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00:44
   • [04] Vivace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01:34
3. York Bowen (1884–1961): [06] Fantasie Quartet for 4 Violas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10:26
4. Georg Philipp Telemann (1681–1767): Concerto for 4 Violas in G major
   • [07] Adagio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00:36
   • [08] Allegro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01:58
   • [09] Grave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02:07
   • [10] Allegro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01:15
5. Béla Bartók (1881–1945): 9 Duos from 44 Duos for Two Violins (Arr. for Violas)Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992): [20] Four for Tango (Arr. for Viola Ensemble) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06:30
   • [11] Ruthenisches Lied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01:10
   • [12] Polstertanz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00:36
   • [13] Burleske . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01:07
   • [14] Spottlied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00:32
   • [15] Mückentanz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00:33
   • [16] Gram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02:34
   • [17] Ruthenische Kolomejka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01:03
   • [18] Arabischer Gesang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01:09
   • [19] Siebenbürgisch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01:55
7. Christopher Norton (*1953): [21] Steering Wheel Blues (Arr. for Viola Ensemble) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01:37

Publishers

• Record Label: Oehms Classics
• Copyright: © 2011 OehmsClassics Musikproduktion GmbH
• Publishing Year: 2011
• Origin: Made in the EU

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