This is Volume 2 in the series of orchestral music by Miklós Rózsa. No fewer than four exclusive Chandos artists perform on this release: The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, the conductor Rumon Gamba, and soloists Paul Watkins on cello and Jennifer Pike on violin.

Miklós Rózsa was best known for his film music, for which he was Oscar-nominated on thirteen separate occasions, winning three times with A Double Life, Ben Hur, and Hitchcock’s Spellbound. Alongside his film music, Rózsa also wrote music for the concert hall, including some notable concertos.
The Cello Concerto, Op. 32 is a dark, savage, and often quite brutal work. It consists of three movements; a strong driving first movement, an introspective second movement, and an energetic finale which brings the work to a brilliant conclusion. The soloist is Paul Watkins. As one of Britain’s foremost cellists, he performs regularly with the major British orchestras and has made six appearances as concerto soloist at the BBC Proms.

The new, exclusive Chandos artist Jennifer Pike (BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2002) is the featured soloist in Rózsa’s colourfully orchestrated Variations on a Hungarian Peasant Song, Op. 4. Here the theme is taken from a collection of Hungarian folk tunes. It is presented very simply by solo violin, and followed by a series of fourteen variations. These are performed without a break and require some very expressive and virtuoso playing from the soloist. The album represents Jennifer Pike’s first orchestral release on Chandos. Her first recording for us was an album of French violin sonatas (CHAN 10667) -released in April 2011.

“...These are good performances, and will give much pleasure...”

Raymond Tuttle

“...Rumon Gamba is a fine conductor who highlights Rózsa’s bright and distinctive orchestration, clarifying textures and paying close attention to the music’s strong rhythmic pulse. In the BBC Philharmonic he has a responsive, first-rate ensemble at his disposal. Paul Watkins makes the most of both the rhapsodic and caustic aspects of the Cello Concerto, while the Variations on a Hungarian Peasant Song benefit greatly from Jennifer Pike’s rich, singing tone and disciplined playing. With expertly balanced sound, fans of Rózsa will find much to enjoy on this release.”
Barry Brenesal

Fanfare – November/December 2011

**** Excellent

Riccardo Cassani – Musica Magazine (Italy) – September 2011

Editor’s Choice
“...These are four first-rate works by a still neglected composer, marvellously played and recorded.”

Ivan March – Gramophone magazine – September 2011

“The BBC Philharmonic under Rumon Gamba gives us a very desirable CD from Chandos, of music by Miklos Rosza. .. a programme rich in Magyar atmosphere.”

Peter Spaull – Liverpool Daily Post – 22 July 2011

“...Paul Watkins on the present disc is ... a very impressive contender and no fan of the composer should hang back from acquiring his account.”

Calum MacDonald – International Record Review – July/August 2011

Performance ***** Recording *****

“...Paul Watkins delivers a strongly committed performance of the concerto, brilliantly negotiating the hair-raising technical challenges of the solo part ... Rumon Gamba and the BBC Philharmonic, supported by Chandos’s sumptuous recording, offer sterling support in the Concerto and revel in the virtuosity and luxuriant textures.”

Erik Levi – BBC Music Magazine – August 2011

*****

K Lindenbaum

Rozsa: Orchestral Works, Volume 2

BBC Philharmonic

Rumon Gamba

Paul Watkins

Jennifer Pike

Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester

Mike George

Brian Pidgeon

Ralph Couzens

Stephen Rinker

Vanessa Nuttall

Orchestral & Concertos

MIKLOS ROSZA

Variations on a Hungarian Peasant Song, Op. 4 (1929)

The Vintner's Daughter, Op. 23a (1953)

Notturno Ungherese, Op. 28 (1964)

Cello Concerto, Op. 32 (1967-68)