Marcel Tyberg: Symphony No. 2; Piano Sonata No. 2 / Fabio Bidini, piano; JoAnn Falletta

Recommendation

This is the second CD from Naxos devoted entirely to the music of Marcel Tyberg (1893-1944). In fact, aside from these two Naxos CDs, I haven't found evidence that any others have ever been issued. The earlier release offered Tyberg's Third Symphony and the Piano Trio in F major (NXS 8572236). This recent title contains Tyberg's Symphony no. 2 and Piano Sonata no. 2. Music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic since 1999, JoAnn Falletta leads her fine orchestra in the Second Symphony and Fabio Bidini performs the piano sonata.

These two works are from 1927 and 1934 respectively, but never does Tyberg's music convincingly leave the 19th-century. The composer's commitment to the principles of the Romantic era is unfailing. Echoes of Mendelssohn, Dvorak and Wagner abound, but the composer who most came to mind while listening to the symphony was Bruckner. I don't get to say that about a composer very often. Not often enough, actually; it's wonderful to hear Bruckner's influence so clearly exhibited.

The sample from the album accompanying this recommendation is the beginning of the third movement Scherzo. You can hear Bruckner's influence plainly here - the slow deliberate building of intensity, the passing of thematic cells from one instrument family to another and the highly contrasting and lyrical second theme are all examples. The influence of other composers can be heard here too; listen to Tybergs fugal treatment of the first theme at about 30 seconds in. This music could easily have come from Mendelssohn. Perhaps all this suggests Tyberg was a composer who was not completely original, but it doesn't take away from how enjoyable the music is.

Listeners who are on the lookout for something fresh from the Romantic period might overlook this album because of when Tyberg lived, but I assure you, these are the very music lovers who will enjoy this music the most.

Album Overview

Marcel Tyberg was a victim of the World War II Holocaust, but his scores were preserved and have recently been revived through the support of JoAnn Falletta and the BPO. The Second Symphony is filled with romantic enchantment and pastoral narrative, reflecting Tyberg’s reverence for nineteenth-century styles. The Second Piano Sonata also develops earlier traditions, revealing the influence of Beethoven. Tyberg’s Third Symphony can be heard on Naxos 8.572236, the Washington Post stating that the Buffalo Philharmonic “has never sounded better…Tyberg’s music is well-crafted and earnest, tuneful and filled with seriousness of purpose and harmonic mastery.”

Source: Naxos

	Marcel Tyberg, composer Marcel Tyberg (27 January 1893, Vienna – 31 December 1944, Auschwitz-Birkenau) was an Austrian composer, conductor and organist. His music is late-romantic in style. Born into a musical family in Vienna, his father, Marcell Tyberg (Sr.), was a well-known violinist, while his mother, Wanda Paltinger Tybergova, was a pianist in the school of Theodor Leschetizky, and a colleague of Artur Schnabel.  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcel_Tyberg
Fabio Bidini, piano	Fabio Bidini, piano After winning top prizes in the most famous international piano competitions his sensational success at the Busoni and at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition opened him the door to a constantly growing international career. Fabio Bidini now is recognized as one of the foremost young pianist to have emerged from Italy since the days of Michelangeli.  www.fabiobidini.com
JoAnn Falleta, conductor	JoAnn Falleta, conductor JoAnn Falletta is internationally celebrated as a vibrant ambassador for music and an inspiring artistic leader. An effervescent and exuberant figure on the podium, she has been praised by The Washington Post as having “Toscanini’s tight control over ensemble, Walter’s affectionate balancing of inner voices, Stokowski’s gutsy showmanship, and a controlled frenzy worthy of Bernstein.” www.joannfalletta.com
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra	Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society, Inc. provides a resident, professional, major symphony orchestra of artistic excellence and integrity to enrich the quality of life in Western New York through the presentation of live symphonic music and other musical events which educate and entertain the broadest possible audiences within and beyond the Western New York region. http://www.bpo.org/

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