Rathaus: Symphonies Nos. 2 and 3

Album review

If Karol Rathaus and his symphonic works are largely unknown, it is primarily because he himself kept them out of the repertoire, either from fear of criticism or from a deep need to keep his music private. Perplexed by the storm of controversy surrounding the Frankfurt premiere of his dramatic and harshly dissonant Symphony No. 2 (1923), Rathaus withdrew it from performance, and the work soon fell into obscurity. The tonal and lyrical Symphony No. 3 (1942-1943) never entered the repertoire because of Rathaus' increasing reticence about having any of his works performed. This 2004 release from CPO presents Rathaus first as a conflicted artist whose worth was not properly appreciated in Europe, then secondly, as a somewhat happier, though guarded, composer during his American sojourn. The first work requires some preparation for its stringent modernism and patience for its rather slow pacing, but it is no more provocative today than, say, a symphony by Shostakovich. The Symphony No. 3, on the other hand, is lush and largely serene, as accessible as any American populist work of the time, and somewhat reflective of Rathaus' film music. The Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester Frankfurt, led by Israel Yinon, delivers vivid performances of both works, and CPO's sound quality is terrific.
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