Cohn: Symphonies Nos. 2 and 7 / Variations On The Wayfaring Stranger

$9.99 (COMPACT DISC)

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Symphony No. 7, Op. 45 (more info)
Performed by: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Composed by: James Cohn
Conducted by: Vakhtang Jordania
Recording date: 28 September - 3 October 2001


1.   I. Allegro giusto - 11:47
2.   II. Andante cantabile - 7:18
3.   III. Allegretto energico - 4:35
4.   IV. Molto presto e precipitato - 4:00


Symphony No. 2, Op. 13 (more info)
Performed by: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Composed by: James Cohn
Conducted by: Kirk Trevor
Recording date: 28 September - 3 October 2001


5.   I. Allegro risoluto - 6:20
6.   II. Presto - 7:29
7.   III. Andante con moto - 4:04
8.   IV. Allegro marcato - 4:29


Variations on The Wayfaring Stranger, Op. 34 (more info)
Performed by: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Composed by: James Cohn
Conducted by: Vakhtang Jordania
Recording date: 28 September - 3 October 2001


9.   Variations on The Wayfaring Stranger, Op. 34 - 11:27


Waltz in D major, Op. 29a (arr. for orchestra) (more info)
Performed by: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra
Composed by: James Cohn
Conducted by: Kirk Trevor
Recording date: 28 September - 3 October 2001


10.   Waltz in D major, Op. 29a (arr. for orchestra) - 3:57

Reviews

Excellent symphonic surprises! (Jul 19, 2010)
Reviewer:Dan Coombs
The symphonic output of New Yorker James Cohn is of high quality and is - perhaps - not nearly as well known as it should be. The new release on Naxos, "American Classics" series illustrates the point perfectly! Cohn's "Symphony #7" from 1967 is a gem! Opening with very attention getting woodwind solos, the motives morph into duets and propel energetically forward. There is interesting writing... The symphonic output of New Yorker James Cohn is of high quality and is - perhaps - not nearly as well known as it should be. The new release on Naxos, "American Classics" series illustrates the point perfectly! Cohn's "Symphony #7" from 1967 is a gem! Opening with very attention getting woodwind solos, the motives morph into duets and propel energetically forward. There is interesting writing throughout (especially for the bassoons!) The second movement, andante cantabile, is particularly lyrical and quite pretty. Cohn's Second Symphony dates from 1948 and was actually written for his thesis at Julliard. It contains many of the same spiky syncopations and his affinity for strong attractive woodwind writing - including the use of saxophones. Cohn's studies with Roy Harris shows in his treatment of polyphony and his skill with the winds. The second movement is jaunty and propulsive - somewhat jazzy, in fact, and the third, andante con moto, contains an interesting serial structure used to create mood and line with little to no "serialism" by randomized harmonies (like Webern, for example). All the horizontal and vertical alignment's in Cohn's music are seemingly carefully thought out and tested. The final movement, as in the Symphony #7, provides excitement and drive. The two pieces that round out the disc, "Variations on 'The Wayfaring Stranger'" (1960) and the "Waltz in D" (1957) are pleasant enough pieces. The "Variations" in particular bear a bit of poignancy in so far as they are based on a tender southern spiritual and dedicated to the memory of the deaths of two of the composer's friends, a husband and wife has passed only weeks apart. The two symphonies are reason enough to get this disc, though. I only recently became aware of Jim Cohn, composer and gentleman, and have gotten into his clarinet output. This is music by an American composer whose work should be played more by orchestras looking for some truly "American" sounds while also introducing the public to a new name! The performances are of highest quality and conductor Kirk Trevor, in particular, is to be praised for bringing lesser new excellent repertory to the attention of everyone. I would personally love to play these works conducted by such a visionary one of these days! (read more)