Morton Feldman: Violin And Orchestra

Album review

For all practical purposes, Morton Feldman's Violin and Orchestra resembles an anti-concerto, insofar as the soloist's role is minimized and frequently buried within the heavy textures of the orchestra, rather than featured prominently before it. The violin part consists almost entirely of static, minimal gestures, and short groups of pitches, offering neither displays of technical virtuosity nor soaring melodies in the manner of traditional concertos. Yet despite its apparent lack of any themes and severely restricted activity, it is nonetheless the focus of this piece, and Feldman's thick and often dark orchestral textures are given a rarefied quality through the violin's fluctuating presence. Violinist Carolin Widmann demonstrates great stamina and patience in this 50-minute work, and it seems to hang together largely through the strength of her playing. The Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, led by Emilio Pomàrico, produces a full, rich sound and seems well-rehearsed, though Feldman's writing is desultory and disconnected from the violin part, so there is a kind of built-in looseness that will frustrate the goal-oriented listener. However, this piece is like many other compositions by Feldman, requiring suspension of expectations to let it flow by and create its fleeting impressions. ECM's reproduction is clear and palpably close, so everything can be heard clearly at a high enough volume, though because this is a Feldman work, a low setting might contribute to its effectiveness.
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